Wednesday, July 03, 2013

Hugo Schmitt #5


"My mother and I saw the show in 1948 at Minneapolis but don't recall any hats.
Must have fallen by the wayside by then."

Posted by Buckles at 7/03/2013 05:43:00 AM

5 comments:

Buckles said...

I never noticed the caption before.
Should have read UBER LIEUTENANT!

03 July, 2013 06:08
John Herriott said...

Thanks for the info-posting of animal trainer and good friend Hugo. Beyond the gruff exterior he was a fine fellow with loyalty to friends and associates over the years Dur\ing the war days in Sweden he became associated with the Rhodin family and would be part of their lives in various ways. He brought Mrs. Rhodin and husband at that time Count Beketow to Mills Bros. thru his influence while on their circus and would bring her son Axel,[at loose ends as a teen ager with him to RBBB for a long career. He was an excellent animal, especially elephants, trainer and sadly was overshadowed during the time that Irvin Feld was bso enamored with his discovery, Gunther Gebel. His early years in America were difficult in dealing with elephant hands resentment but he perservered and became a part of our elephant guys fraternity.He had some humerous "yogi berra" comments over the years with his German accent and remarks. I believe once he became Americanized he became even a better elepphant bteainer-routiner than his European roots from Hagenback. I was pleased to hbe his friend and recall his personality and demeaner quite well. In his own way he was "with it and for it'm be it Leonard Bros, Mills Bros. or the GSOE. He did not like "Phonies" to be sure. I found him to be no more inhumane than other trainers but very demanding in getting the job done. He spoke once in commands to elephants in opposed to alot of yelling and screaming prevalent with alot of elephant men.Which would mean he was a very much disciplabarian [or however its spelled]. anyway thanks Buckles. As youwell know he was quite a guy. johnny

03 July, 2013 09:34
GaryHill said...

He was quick with his bullwhip to hussel bulltub hands..Little Jerry caught Hugo's whip across his butt more than once..:)

03 July, 2013 17:48
Anonymous said...

Col Herriott, How
greatly I appreciate your comments here and all your treasured contributions!

Every good wish to you and the entire Herriott Troupe,

Paul

03 July, 2013 20:31
Anonymous said...

Buckles, Just can't get uber your great comments.

P.

03 July, 2013 20:34

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