Shorty
Posted By thecircusblog on May 3, 2013
While at Legend City Shorty became very popular. I was always asked if I and Shorty would appear for special events outside the park.
-
-
-
-
The Circus Blog by Ivan M. Henry is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Share Alike 3.0 United States License.
Based on a work at www.thecircusblog.com.
Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available at http://www.thecircusblog.com.
Legnd City #1
Posted By thecircusblog on April 18, 2013
The early afternoon practice would always attract a few people. I have to admit Shorty was a little spoiled. That was my fault.
Legend City #2
Posted By thecircusblog on April 18, 2013
Shorty was first trained by Smoky Jones, a well known elephant trainer and considered one of the best in his field. At that time, Shorty who I think was named by Smoky, was owned by Margaret Holter. I bought Shorty from her in the fall of 1975 and he became part of Henry Bros Circus. Shorty had a mind of his own and he dummied up on me with what he was taught by Smoky. He was just too smart for his own good and I played along with him. In winter quarters before going out on the road I would set up the ring curb and put out the bull tubs, spindle and the plank walk prop. I would sit on a chair and would just watch him for at least an hour or more. I also would bring with me a few apples, not for him but for me. Shorty would walk round the ring and throw a little dirt on his back and would play dumb by going close to the props and trunking them. Every time I took a bite of an apple he would look at me from the corner of his eye. It was just a matter of time. My Dad told me anything that eats can be trained. I didn’t know if I was right or wrong but I did know that this elephant knew his routine. It was on the fourth day he walked up to me as to say “ok you win”. At that time I led him to the center of the ring did a lay down and sit up, and a hind leg stand. Incidentally he did get an apple and from that day forward he was good as gold. That first year I added 7 more tricks to the act. He got so good that he would work himself so from time to time I would pull an Arkie Scott and would sit in the audience while Shorty went through his routine. The above photo was taken in 1977. Extra note, I am not suggesting that the apples that I ate in front of Shorty broke him again. That elephant knew what he was doing to me, I was the new guy. I did not give up and let him know that food can be a reward.
Legend City #3
Posted By thecircusblog on April 18, 2013
We only worked Shorty one show in the evening so he got a little fat but he got his work out during the mornings. I had 7 other acts in the circus.We did two acts every hour on the hour ….each performance lasted about 20 minutes. I also had four other stages in the park that had entertainment going on at the same time. Lake Front stage, The Vaudeville stage, Old Town Saloon stage and The Glen Campbell stage, which later became Compton Terrace. Jess Nicks…. Stevie Nick’s father, took over this area from Compton and continued to produce rock concerts.We had to separate the concert area from the amusement park so we fenced the front portion of the park off. These concerts were paid events and needed to be controlled. Bill and Dorothy Capell still owned the park and they worked hard to present different venues including the rock music produced by Jess Nicks. Legend City is truly a legend now. In it’s place on the very ground where people had fun are business buildings. Traveling along the 202 Fwy west looking over toward Papago Park hills you can see a large triangle type building. This area was the 4 acre island that was in the center of Legend City. The island had an old frontier fort and was surrounded by water. I understand that years ago in the 1960’s they shot a couple of movies there. We really could not do too much with this area. Then I got the idea to make a free petting zoo. This became very popular with the kids. The water kept the animals within the zoo area. There was only one way in and out which was a bridge to the island with a gate. It worked well until someone left the gate open and we had over 70 large farm type animals running though the park. The rabbits, ducks, chickens and other small varmints are not in the count.
Legend CITY #4
Posted By thecircusblog on April 18, 2013
We were about one half a mile from the Phoenix Zoo. For some unknown reason the peacocks from there would fly over into back yard of Legend City and visit with Shorty.
Legend City #6
Posted By thecircusblog on April 18, 2013
Our back yard at Legend City was perfect for all the animals and my show equipment trucks trailers etc. Shorty always found a way to loosen or pull his stake and set himself free. We were fenced in well and there were no people in this area. Mike Cappi had his trailer parked here as well and it offered more security. Mike not only worked for me, he was my friend and still is to this day.
Legend City
Posted By thecircusblog on April 17, 2013
1977 at Legend City Amusement Park. Just going though the routine. In the summer we only opened the park at night because of the hot days in Arizona. I would take Shorty for a walk though the park, then to a make shift arena. The exercise was good for him, as it is for all elephants. How I miss that little Bull.
Hubert Castle Circus
Posted By thecircusblog on April 17, 2013
Wes Serdahi sent this to me via email. This poster brought back old memories from when we were on the show, in the mad 1960’s.
Great comments by Casey. A must read.
-
-
Follow The Circus Blog
