Thursday, July 5, 2012

Unknown 1967


6 comments:

Richard Reynolds said...

This is Gene Holter’s hippo Herman. The elephant is Lisa.

The incident described occurred at Laguna Beach, CA in March 1968. Holter had Herman and Lisa at a carnival in Huntington Beach some 15 miles away. Herman allegedly got away and took to the surf to get to Laguna. Whether this was a bona fide escape or publicity stunt is open to some question.

Elephant Lisa and hippo Herman were imprinted on one another to the point that they were almost inseparable.

Holter had his elephants, some chimps and the hippo at the Milwaukee parade in 1967 and maybe other years as well. I know about ’67 because I was there. Herman the hippo and the elephants with chimps as jockeys all walked the parade route. First time I ever heard of hippo being in a street parade as lead stock.

Toby Styles said...

Wade

Gene Holter's Lisa and Hermann being handled by Larry Rucker.

Toby

Wade G. Burck said...

Toby,
I assumed Holter, and assumed you would know something. Larry Rucker who later had the Carden and Johnson elephants?

Wade

Wade G. Burck said...

RJR,
If there are any holes in an animal story, count on you to "fill in the gaps."

I hope you are well, and getting up to snuff. You are what is known as a valuable asset.

Wade

Richard Reynolds said...

Oops - -I said 1968 when the event happened in March 1967.

I do not know whatever became of Holter's hippo Herman.

Wade G. Burck said...

RJR,
Greatness is allowed an occasional slip. I afford myself the same courtesy, now and again. :)

Wade