There is a discussion on the "history channel" in regards to the Arthur T. Brown Circus, and I was interested in this quote from the article:
"The elephants – Rhoda, Reba and Sheba – he kept on the farm. Also the camel, a male he called “Cleopatrick.” All of the animals have died or were euthanized.
Not that the presence of circus creatures in the rural area between Parish and Central Square didn’t attract attention. Jack said Arthur tried to keep the animals’ presence on his farm low-key (“he didn’t want it to be a playground”) but he watched lots of double takes as motorists drove by the farm and saw three elephants grazing in a field.
“They stopped traffic, for sure,” Mike explained. “School buses used to park and watch the animals. The UPS man was really amazed by what he saw.”
He said Arthur bought the elephants from a private zoo in Florida. They had been rescued from Africa, where their kin were killed by poachers for their ivory. One of the critters had a disease similar to ALS. Local farmers sometimes were called in to use their back hoes to get the animal back on his feet when he fell down."
My comments are getting tossed in the trash again, so I will ask my questions here. If folks recall, that was the reason why this blog was started, as a place to post censored comment's in an effort at some kind of historical accuracy. My question was: " The history of the African imports that went into Florida and Arthur Jones we all know was a dirty and dark history for elephants in America, and I would assume all kinds of problems, but I have never heard of an elephant having "Lou Gehrigs disease" or ALS? Also, is the elephant mentioned "Reba" the same "Reba" that Bobby Moore had, that Ringling bought, that killed Axel Gautier? If so, could "Sheba" be "Sheena", and they the elephants at the Phoenix Zoo "elephant Sanctuary?" The Phoenix Zoo: Animal News
Also, what became of the 3rd elephant Rhoda?
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Arthur T. Brown Circus
Posted by
Wade G. Burck
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18 comments:
Wade,
According to the elephant database, the Reba that went to Florida and Arthur Jones is not the same Reba that Bobby Moore had, that Ringling bought, that killed Axel Gautier.
The first Reba was an African elephant and her record is:
http://www.elephant.se/database2.php?elephant_id=3379
The second Reba was an Asian elephant and her record is:
http://www.elephant.se/database2.php?elephant_id=414
This is a list of 39 relocated African elephants from Jumbolair (Arthur Jones)in the United States:
http://www.elephant.se/location2.php?location_id=914&show=5
Mary Ann
The "Reba" that killed Axel was one of three that Ringling bought from Bobby Moore, originally a third of Al Vidbel's "Flower Power" elephants. "Sheena" was included in the sale to Phoenix. The third was sold to Charlie Gray eleven years ago.
Mary Ann and Radar,
Thank you. Mary Ann, do you remember when we first met and I told you they never should have given zoo animals names, and instead just gave them a number, and used a name for woggy woogys at the zoo? It sure would have eliminated a lot of confusion in later years. Unless your name was King Tusk. LOL I guess that ALS deal worked out for the elephant mentioned. I also thought the complete article on the "history channel" said they still had one of the elephants there. I may have been mistaken.
Wade
Addendum to Wade:
I believe I gave you some wrong information. Sheena was not one of the Vidbel elephants that Ringling acquired from Bobby Moore. Daisy (now Asia) still performs on the Red Unit; Dame (Dandelion) went to Charlie Gray; Reba (Daffodil) went to Phoenix.
Radar,
Yes, I knew you had. Did you find Sheena? When did Reba become Reba, do you know? When she was part of the Moore mess, or before.
Wade
Wade,
If you knew I screwed up, why did you not correct me? I am in the business of learning more; it is why I visit your blog everyday.
Sheena is at Phoenix as well from Ringling, an elephant they acquired from Bush Gardens. I do not know if either elephant was sold or donated or loaned, etc, etc.
Radar,
I didn't correct you because I didn't want folks to think you were a complete putz. How did you find out about about Sheeba? You checked yourself because you know you will never be 100% right until you are as old as Steve, RJR, Jim A, John Milton, or myself.
Who is the elephant still at Arthur Brown's?
Send me a link for that candy ass elephant blog you have started and I will post it in the relevant stops with the rest of the big dogs.
Wade
I have not found out yet about Sheba. According to some folks, Reba is still alive up there but I have not heard any more positive or negative feedback on that.
I would rather be determined a putz than provide misinformation.
That's a lot of name tossing there... I can only hope to gain a fraction of the respect that those men deserve by the time I reach that point. Speaking of which, Steve is the only guy that humors me on my candy ass blog with comments. It is much appreciated, Steve!
http://showmeelephants.blogspot.com/
Wade,
The only African still up at Arthur Brown's was Reba. Mike Cecere is still there but I have been told that the elephant has passed away. Can anyone confirm this? I used to have Mike's email but he has changed it so I can't get a hold of him anymore.
Bob
Radar,
I didn't understand. Are you saying folks are claiming Reba is up in New York? That's nut's, she's in Arizona. Why is the elephant in New York not listed on the elephant data base?
Wade
Bob,
Are you sure Reba is an African? The Ringling Reba was Asian. The recent article posted here, say's there is still an elephant up there.
Wade
Bob,
You need to send me a link for your circus history blog so I can post it, and get the word out to folks.
Wade
Wade / Radar,
YES, all three elephants at Arthur Brown's were Africans. Mike Cecere was working with David Meeks with these Africans coming in. My records are shetchy on these three. I know Reba and Sheba were there in 1988 and Rhoda at least in 1994. I'm not much more help on dates for these three. I wish I could get a hold of Mike again.
As for why isn't it in the database, Radar, that's why I was keeping a census of all non-zoo elephants. The studbooks cover Zoos quite well but they fall way short in independent ownership.
Wade, my blog is at http://circustents.blogspot.com
Many Thanks,
Bob
I am confused now as to what the hell we are talking about. The article you posted states that all three elephants are dead or were euthanized (a redundant statement?). It also states that the elephants had been 'rescued' from Africa.
I am not sure of anything regarding these elephants. Though regarding the statements in the article, there is no reason any of the Ringling elephants would have been brought up. How long has it been since they owned an African anyway? Kongo?
Radar,
It was your pal Harry Kingston who started this:
Blogger Harry Kingston said...
You ought to hear the complete story about this railroad car as Mike Cecere tells it.
I have known Mike for many years and he is the manager of the ranch for many years and still has one of the three elephants in a barn at the ranch.
They have a morning jackpot session at a local cafe and Mike tells them some of this circus adventures.
Harry
09 November, 2010 06:47
I'll repeat in case you missed it:
"and still has one of the three elephants in a barn at the ranch."
Wade
I do not know if 'pal' would be the right word.
I emailed Harry about this and still have not received a response.
Wade,
It's been brought to my attention that the elephants name was RHODES, a male African. He died while at Arthur Brown's farm.
Bob
Bob,
"He died while at Arthur Brown's farm." Why doesn't that surprise me, in the context of the Arthur Jones "humanitarian" rescue operation.
Wade
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