Paul, Eldridge had traveled with the show to Kingsport, Tennessee. Eldridge was instructed to keep a “gentling care” philosophy when taking care of the elephants and Mary.Īfter the show in St. Even though Eldridge had little experience, he hired him as an underkeeper of the elephants where he fed and watered them. A hotel worker named Walter “Red” Eldridge had approached head elephant trainer Paul Jacoby for a job within the circus. On the morning of September 11, 1916, Sparks World Famous Shows had arrived in the small town of St. Mary had a good run, until the circus made its way to Virginia. She was advertised on show posters as “The Largest Living Animal on Earth” weighing “over 5 tons” and standing “3 inches taller than Jumbo”, who was the start elephant at the Barnum and Bailey circus. Many spectators were drawn to her performances for years. She could play musical instruments, catch baseballs and even stand on her head. Mary would become one of the company’s biggest attractions. They instructed employees to be kind and gentle with all of the circus animals, especially their beloved Mary. The couple raised Mary as if she were the child they didn’t have. She’d then go on to become a part of his famous traveling circus in her coming years.Ĭharlie married Addie Mitchell, who was the circus’s head cook and animal doctor. Sparks’ father had purchased Mary in 1898, when she was only four years old. Her story begins with Charlie Sparks, who was owner of Sparks World Famous Shows. Mary, an Asian Elephant, was born in 1894. Not only was she “arrested” but she was hung from an enormous crane until she was pronounced dead. 1916– the year an elephant was arrested for murdering people.

Tyke the elephant buried