Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1904-05-18
ROWE'S
AMUSING
EXPERIENCE
|
How Wild Animals
Were Put Ashore
Drivers and TTuckmen Afraid
to Handle the Royal
Menagerie

Manager Rowe of the Norris & Rowe
circus relates an amusing experience
that happened him recently. Charlie
Jordan of the Five Flying Jordans,"
who went to India recently, cabled
Manager Rowe from Bombay that an
English circus which had been tour
ing the Indian provinces were about
to disband and asking permission to
purchase the best of the collection of
wild beasts. Mr.. Rowe promptly
cabled instructions to buy and ship
Immediately. The collection included
big lion and lioness. a fine tiger, a
performing cub bear, some large
eagles, group of monkeys, a tapir
and a llama. .r.
Upon being notified of the steamers
arrival from Calcutta, Mr.. Rowe hur-
ried to San Francisco to secure his
prizes and transfer them to the win
ter quarters at San Jose. With him
went Geo. Belford and Harry LaVan,
acrobats connected with the Norris g.
Rowe shows, who were anxious to see
the collection and assist in having
them conveyed to the winter quar-
ters.
Upon their arrival at San Francisco,
Mr.. Rowe contracted with one of the
great draying concerns to haul the
lot from the wharf to the railroad de-
pot for re-shipment, but here is where
Mr. Rowe's troubles began. He had
neglected to state to the transfer peo-
pie just what the freight consisted Of
Mr.. Rowe gave the steamship people
the word that everything was in readi-
ness to unload and they were glad
enough to get rid of their unwelcome
freight. AS cages of lions, tigers, etc,
began pouring out of the hold and
were gracefully dumped on the wharf
by the giant cranes, the trouble be-
gan. Horses are notoriously afraid of
wild beasts and the transfer companys
were no exception so they did not
wait on ceremony but made frantic
efforts to escape. The teamsters
looked blankly at one another and be-
gan murmuring. They hauled about
everything in the freight line but this
was a new one on them, their animals
could not be induced to back upon the
wharf and 1t seemed impossible to
load the wild beasts. They held
hasty consultation among themselves
and decided to refuse the job and re-
fuse quick, the angry snarls, growls
and roars of the beasts doubtless hast
ening their decision. In vain did
M"ssrs Rowe, Belford and LaVan pro
test, offering every money inducement
If they force their horses back ON the
wharf. mot much, said one Of the
burly drivers, I'm working for trans
fer company, I'm no animal keeper.
I'm afraid of the beasts and that's
honest" This seemed to voice the
opinion Of the other drivers and quit
they did in a body. Well sir, said Mr.. |
Rowe, with twinkle in his eye, 1 lost
the entire day trying to induce local
teamsters to handle the consignment
but when they learned the character
of the haul, some shook their heads,
some refused fatty and some hurried
away, evidently on pressing business,
and all this time we had to feed and |
care for the beasts for we did not |
dare leave the wharf for fear some of |
the collection would get out. Finally
we had to wire our men in San Jose
to hurry on with our animal wagons
from the winter quarters and when |
they finally did make their appear
ance, we were wet, cold and hungry |
and gladly hurried home after the
live freight was duly loaded. Next
time this show buys any wild animals,
said Mr. Rowe, 1t will take its own
teams TO transfer them, no matter
what the expense. The Norris & Rowe |
circus is in the city today.