From Craig Bullen

001, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Really didn't have any 'Felds' to deal with in those days, but dad registered anything that might have a dollar in it! I assume this one is still currant. Ready for the next Buffalo Bill show.

From Robert Perry

mary gill, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. A nice picture of Mary Gill. I think this is "Karen". Buckles

From Robert Perry

Buckles some sad news out of Australia the elephant we sold to Lennons (stardust circus) Arna in 93 is allegedly to have killed the trainer no one is sure yet what happened enquiries are on going animal libbers are having a field day, the record in Australia is 6 people have been killed by circus elephant's in 200 years more people die from dogs the horse racing Ind over 300 jockeys & trainers have been killed in Australia over the last 60 years i don't think they will ban horse racing but they want to ban the animal circus Robert Perry Australia Former Animal Circus Owner And Proud of it

"Minnie"

Scan000010650, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. From Anonymous afternoon buckles (& friends), would you have any info or pics of an elephant named Minnie (567)& later 'Old Minnie'? She came from Hamburg and worked for RBBB, Mills Bros, AG Barnes, tulsa zoo and later with Circus Vargas. I believe she passed in '78. Later in life I remember she was missing an eye. Any info on where she may be buried? Thanks for your time. "Minnie" was imported in 1929, she arrived with another small elephant named "Dolly" but for some reason they were never trained for the ring and all they did was walk in spec wearing clown suits as this 1933 picture above shows. Slivers Madison once told me that he was on the Barnes Show in 1934 when these two arrived and sure enough they knew absolutely nothing and had to be trained from scratch. At the close of the 1938 season all the Barnes elephants were moved into Sarasota and "Minnie" and "Dolly" found themselves back with the Ringling Show. In the 40's both survived the Hartford and Cleveland fires as well as the elephant poisonings in Atlanta and in 1948 Hugo Schmitt picked them out to work in the center ring act with his five German elephants. While in Sarasota the winter of 1949-50 while people were visiting the elephant area, a small child wandered under the guard rail and startled "Dolly" who was dozing, she then kicked out fatally injuring the child. As the result of public outcry, she was shot 3/29/50 and for unknown reasons "Minnie" was sold to the Mills Show in the fall. You seem to be up to speed from that point forward. I have a picture of "Minnie" carrying a lion on a howdah with Vargas but it eludes me. MINNIE 1924-33 Ringling-Barnum Circus 1934-38 Al G. Barnes Circus 1939-50 Ringling-Barnum Circus 1951-53 Mills Bros. Circus 1954-55 Ben Fain......Van Buren, Ark. 1956-..... Mohawk Zoo Tulsa, Okla. .........- 1972 Gene Holter Ranch 1973-77 Circus Vargas (As I recall she died at some sort of Veterinary facility north of 1000 Oaks in 1979)

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #1

MAIL0123, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Thought I'd run these family photos today to see if any of my relatives still watch the Blog. I figure they may be weary of the cost of cotton candy of the credibility of Zoo Directors.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #2

Scan000010629, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Side Show bally in progress. All this stuff went overland, the animals walked from town to town. Like everything else, this pit show was assembled from the ground up, no walk-thrus.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #3

Scan000010630, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The dreaded Hamadryas.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #4

Scan000010631, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. The band in front of the snake show to serenade the early arrivals. Tho acknowledged as the highest of the "High-Grass" shows, they had a bigger band than Ken & Nicole.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #5

Scan000010633, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #6

Scan000010632, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. No grift here, the Orton's were known for their honesty which allowed them to pretty much show the same route every year in Iowa, Minnesota and the Dakotas.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #7

Scan000010634, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Aunt Nellie

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #8

Scan000010635, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. Uncle Miles

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #9

Scan000010636, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This is my mother.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #10

Scan000010639, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #11

Scan000010638, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #12

Scan000010637, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #13

Scan000010641, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. My father was 23 when he delivered these two young elephants to the show from Hall's place in 1927. The old cow is "Jennie Lockhart". From time to time I am asked about doing a book but this is the story, son of a Lutheran Minister adopted to an upper middle class family, sent to a Military Academy, runs away to join the circus, becomes captivated by elephants and falls in love with a circus owners daughter.

Orton Bros. Circus 1920's #14

Scan000010640, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. That's my grandmother at left in the long dress, my mother behind her. They shared the same name, Sarah Elizabeth and since my mother was the youngest of her generation they called her "Babe".

clyde & hoot (From Eric Beheim)

clyde & hoot, originally uploaded by bucklesw1.

ROBBINS BROS. '38 (From Bill Strong)

ROBBINS BROS. '38, originally uploaded by bucklesw1. This was taken from one of the Gil & Lil Wilson scrapbooks so I can't blow it up too big.