I note we were all "lojng pole" elephant guys in those days. Seemed a cane hook was handy working on the lot.]you could hang it on the harnes to light up a smoke, etc] And some guys like to show off with a lash hook, but Hugo was the guy for that along with GGW. Hope, Ark. was our mecca for poles and canes. johnny
Years back, when I spent a week in Connorsville, Indiana, reading old papers for show news, a local resident showed me such a long pole and somewhere I have a photo showing its 6-7 foot length. Connersville was winter home to the Van Amburgh menagerie for a decade and Forepaugh for a few years, both in the late 1860s-early 1870s, and other shows as well both before and after those years. I don't think I ever saw a long pole in use; guess they disappeared during the 1950s give or take a decade. What was any difference in their use? Dick Flint Baltimore
The Split Hickory Company, of Hope, Arkansas was the source. In my era, the Manager was Brack Schenck. These were designated in their catalog as "Round Tapered Wild Animal Sorting Prods", and the lengths ran from 6, as in this photo, to 4 feet. The long poles were of No. 1 Arkansas hickory and cost $1 each. If you paid extra, you could get your named stamped on them in blue, as I did for one order. They came in bundles of 50, and Clyde Beatty, whose poles were unlettered, ordered two bundles every Spring. Other poles were called "Show Sticks", and were octagonal and could be ordered lacquered. But the circus men preferred the round poles unfinished. Mabel Stark wanted hers shellacked, and I have the one I coated for her. The catalog listed "Elephant Canes", also of No. 1 hickory, and formed specifically for strength and long durability--as the one I have testifies. I last ordered from Mr. Schenck in 1974, and the company closed not long afterward. Poles can still be found, but they are not the same as those from Hope, Arkansas.
GENTLEMEN, DO NOT JUST RELY ON THE BLOG, WRITE IT DOWN...PAPER OR COMPUTER...OR GET A TAPE RECORDER. HISTORY NEEDS O BE RECORDED AND MAINTAINED YOU ALL KNOW SO MUCH. IT WOULD BE A SIN TO LOSE ALL THAT YOU KNOW AND REMEMBER.
Yes, there is still an elephant cane in the corner of the hallway a few feet from where I sit. I had several before changing to Delrin. Nice people in Hope. Don Bloomer
Yes, there is still an elephant cane in the corner of the hallway a few feet from where I sit. I had several before changing to Delrin. Nice people in Hope. Don Bloomer
7 comments:
I note we were all "lojng pole" elephant guys in those days. Seemed a cane hook was handy working on the lot.]you could hang it on the harnes to light up a smoke, etc] And some guys like to show off with a lash hook, but Hugo was the guy for that along with GGW. Hope, Ark. was our mecca for poles and canes. johnny
Nice display on Arkie. Note he, Terrel Jacobs and my Dad were all around Christy Bros. at that time.johnny
Years back, when I spent a week in Connorsville, Indiana, reading old papers for show news, a local resident showed me such a long pole and somewhere I have a photo showing its 6-7 foot length. Connersville was winter home to the Van Amburgh menagerie for a decade and Forepaugh for a few years, both in the late 1860s-early 1870s, and other shows as well both before and after those years. I don't think I ever saw a long pole in use; guess they disappeared during the 1950s give or take a decade. What was any difference in their use?
Dick Flint
Baltimore
The Split Hickory Company, of Hope, Arkansas was the source. In my era, the Manager was Brack Schenck. These were designated in their catalog as "Round Tapered Wild Animal Sorting Prods", and the lengths ran from 6, as in this photo, to 4 feet. The long poles were of No. 1 Arkansas hickory and cost $1 each. If you paid extra, you could get your named stamped on them in blue, as I did for one order. They came in bundles of 50, and Clyde Beatty, whose poles were unlettered, ordered two bundles every Spring. Other poles were called "Show Sticks", and were octagonal and could be ordered lacquered. But the circus men preferred the round poles unfinished. Mabel Stark wanted hers shellacked, and I have the one I coated for her. The catalog listed "Elephant Canes", also of No. 1 hickory, and formed specifically for strength and long durability--as the one I have testifies. I last ordered from Mr. Schenck in 1974, and the company closed not long afterward. Poles can still be found, but they are not the same as those from Hope, Arkansas.
Wonderful, educational, and for free,
GENTLEMEN, DO NOT JUST RELY ON THE BLOG, WRITE IT DOWN...PAPER OR COMPUTER...OR GET A TAPE RECORDER. HISTORY NEEDS O BE RECORDED AND MAINTAINED YOU ALL KNOW SO MUCH. IT WOULD BE A SIN TO LOSE ALL THAT YOU KNOW AND REMEMBER.
PAUL
Yes, there is still an elephant cane in the corner of the hallway a few feet from where I sit. I had several before changing to Delrin. Nice people in Hope.
Don Bloomer
Yes, there is still an elephant cane in the corner of the hallway a few feet from where I sit. I had several before changing to Delrin. Nice people in Hope.
Don Bloomer
Post a Comment