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Subject: Elephant Stampede

Gordon's Ranch Near Cranbrook 1926

Gordon's Ranch is where one of the elephants escaped from the Sells-Floto Circus was caught 1926

Internal ID: 0015.0016
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

The Stakeout

Two of the Sells-Floto elephants staked out near Jap Lake. They were being used as lures to try and bring in Myrtle and Cran brook Ed, who were still running loose. The attempt failed.

Internal ID: 0041.0001
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Cranbrook Ed Caught

Cranbrook Ed, escaped Sells-Floto Circus elephant, captured near Jimsmith Lake after more than a month of freedom.

Internal ID: 0042.0008
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 16th 1926

Elephant Christening

Mayor Roberts christens the re-captured elephant Charlie Ed as 'Cranbrook Ed'. Details on the ceremony and on the shipping of the elephant to San Francisco.

Internal ID: 0042.0025
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Ode To Myrtle

An announcement lamenting the death of Myrtle, one of the Sells-Floto Circus elephants that escaped at Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0042.0026
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Myrtle the elephant

Myrtle the elephant's skull shipped to the University of Alberta.

Internal ID: 0042.0031
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Cranbrook elephant hunt makes big city news

Cranbrook elephant hunt makes big city news

Internal ID: 0042.0043
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 12th 1926

Elephants still at large

Elephants still at large

Internal ID: 0042.0044
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 2nd 1926

Charlie Ed

Charlie Ed's capture, re-naming as Cranbrook Ed

Internal ID: 0042.0063
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 16th 1926

Tillie Captured

Tillie Captured, Search continues

Internal ID: 0042.0087
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 26th 1926

Myrtle's the Elephant Death

Myrtle's Death

Internal ID: 0042.0092
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 9th 1926

Sells-Floto Circus Elephant Dies and hunt on for remaining elephant

Sells-Floto Circus Elephant Dies and hunt on for remaining elephant

Internal ID: 0042.0141
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 9th 1926

Elephant meat is good for bait

Elephant meat is good for bait

Internal ID: 0042.0146
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Elephants Made Cranbrook Famous

The fame of the Cranbrook Elephants as described by a former citizen.

Internal ID: 0042.0153
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Smyth Interviews Cranbrook Ed

A recount of the interview between Fred Smyth and Cranbrook Ed, the famous elephant.

Internal ID: 0042.0154
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Elephant Goes South

Cranbrook Ed dines at a local cafe.

Internal ID: 0042.0162
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

One Elephant Caught Sunday

Pachyderm captured after two weeks on the lamb; accomplices still at large.

Internal ID: 0042.0180
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 19th 1926

Elephants On Rampage

Five elephants of the Sells-Floto circus on a rampage when being unloaded in Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0050.0565
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 9th 1926

Unique Order

Most unique running order ever issued by a Canadian railway was for the engineer of the C.P.R. freight train, instructing him to keep an eye out for elephants and to report them at next station.

Internal ID: 0050.0566
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 10th 1926

Elephant Hunt

Two out of six of the elephants that stampeded from circus cars being offloaded in Cranbrook still at large.

Internal ID: 0050.0567
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 10th 1926

Indian Tracker Chased

Three elephants still on loose near Cranbrook and reports of them attacking men.

Internal ID: 0050.0568
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 11th 1926

Elephants at Large

Dense woods, deep ravines and steep hillsides act as obstacles for the men pursuing the three elephants still loose after stampede in Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0050.0800
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 12th 1926

Tillie Captured

One of the three escaped elephants finally captured and back in temporary corral in Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0050.0802
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 19th 1926

Tillie Captured

Tillie now on her way to join circus, but two elephants still at large around Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0050.0803
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 26th 1926

Elephants At Large

Myrtle the elephant said to be wandering in the thickets at the base of Moyie Mountain and her jungle instincts are coming back.

Internal ID: 0050.0804
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 2nd 1926

Myrtle's Death

Myrtle the elephant dies, circus men to devote their attention to finding last remaining elephant.

Internal ID: 0050.0807
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 9th 1926

Elephant Dies

Truant elephant dies in woods, exhausted and with two bullet wounds in her hip. Still one elephant is at large.

Internal ID: 0050.0808
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 9th 1926

Cranbrook Ed Caught

Last runaway circus elephant caught at Smith Lake, 4 miles from Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0050.0812
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 16th 1926

Cranbrook Ed Ad

See the last of the lost elephants caught exhibited at the Cranbrook Fall Fair, when Charlie Ed will be renamed Cranbrook Ed.

Internal ID: 0050.0813
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 16th 1926

Charlie Ed

Charlie Ed, to be renamed Cranbrook Ed, is the prize exhibit at Cranbrooks Fall Fair after a month of eluding capture.

Internal ID: 0050.0814
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 16th 1926

Cranbrook Ed Leaves

Circus officials state that the stampede and resulting death of one of their elephants cost them $20,000, but clown elephant leaves Cranbrook as a stellar attraction to the circus.

Internal ID: 0050.0819
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Elephant Christening

Cranbrooks' Mayor pours a bottle of champagne on elephants head and declares him to be named Cranbrook Ed instead of Charlie Ed.

Internal ID: 0050.0820
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Ode To Myrtle

Newspaper excerpt Vancouver Province - escaped elephant Myrtle dies in the wilds surrounding Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0050.0822
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Smyth Interview

Former editor of Moyie Leader interviews Cranbrook Ed, famous for Cranbrooks' Elephant Stampede.

Internal ID: 0050.0823
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 23rd 1926

Elephant at Cafe

Cranbrook Ed enjoys last meal in Cranbrook at the Victoria Cafe.

Internal ID: 0050.0826
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Elephant Bait

Hunting for grizzlies said to be good near Myrtle the elephants carcasss.

Internal ID: 0050.0827
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Elephants

Sells-Floto Circus' elephant stampede made Cranbrook famous.

Internal ID: 0050.0828
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Ironsides Ships Head

Myrtle's head and fore foot to be shipped to University of Alberta in Edmonton.

Internal ID: 0050.0829
Medium:Newspaper
Date: September 30th 1926

Value of Elephants

Newspaper excerpt Associated Press - Sells-Floto circus moves on from Spokane without their elephants and camels, as they were held in Cranbrook awaiting the capture of the three valuable elephants that escaped during a stampede.

Internal ID: 0050.0903
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 11th 1926

Shoot the Elephants

Cranbrook residents gearing up to hunt the escaped elephants with guns if they are not captured soon.

Internal ID: 0050.0905
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 12th 1926

Ktunaxa Captured

Cranbrook Indians capture three of the stampeded elephants when a woman lured them in with apples.

Internal ID: 0050.0906
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 13th 1926

Edmonton Exclusive

One of the three elephants that escaped after a stampede in Cranbrook have been captured by local Indians.

Internal ID: 0050.0908
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 16th 1926

Elephant Hunters

About the ongoing hunt for escaped elephants.

Internal ID: 0051.0119
Medium:Newspaper
Date: August 12th 1926

Circus Cranbrook

Circus man's remains sent home after being killed by an elephant, second man at same circus to be killed by an elephant in a matter of a few weeks.

Internal ID: 0051.0757
Medium:Newspaper
Date: May 20th 1935

Elephant Stampede

Remembering the 11 elephants that stampeded through Cranbrook after being freightened by a freight engine letting off steam.

Internal ID: 0051.0968
Medium:Newspaper
Date: December 12th 1940

Cranbrook Elephant Stampede

"Bringing home two captured elephants." A photo on the railway tracks near Cranbrook, B.C., 8 P.M. Aug. 7 1926.

Internal ID: 0362.0001
Medium:Photograph
Date: August 7th 1926

Cranbrook Elephant Stampede

The Great Elephant Hunt - newspaper ad in 1926 local newspaper. Ad copy reads: The last of the lost Elephants caught today. Charlie Ed. The great clown elephant of the Sells-Floto circus will be exhibited at the Cranbrook Fall Fair on Conklin and Garrett Midway. See him with his indian captors and his expert elephant trainer. Since his being re-christened: His name will be "Cranbrook ED" from now on. Remember the dates September 16, 17 and 18. Conklin and Garrett Midway. He will go home after the fair.

Internal ID: 0367.0001
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Capture of "Cranbrook Ed"

The Great Elephant Hunt - capture of escaped bull elephant, Sept. 1926. Photo by V.C. Russell.

Internal ID: 0367.0002
Medium:Photograph
Date: September 1st 1926

Cranbrook Ed and Officials

The Great Elephant Hunt - Truant Sells-Floto circus elephant "Cranbrook Ed" & Officials in 1926. Photo by V.C. Russell.

Internal ID: 0367.0003
Medium:Photograph
Date: September 1st 1926

Cranbrook Elephant Stampede

The Great Elephant Hunt - Lifting the cape of deceased elephant, 1926. One of the unfortunate elephants killed during recapture efforts.

Internal ID: 0367.0004
Medium:Photograph
Date: September 1st 1926

Cranbrook Elephant Stampede

The Great Elephant Hunt - Photo shows a man standing with a foot on elephant, 1926. This is one of the unfortunate animals destroyed during the attempt to round up the stampeded elephants.

Internal ID: 0367.0005
Medium:Photograph
Date: September 1st 1926

Sells Floto Circus Advertisement

The Great Elephant Hunt-newspaper ad in Cranbrook newspaper proclaiming that the circus is coming to town August 6, 1926. This is prior to the stampede and escape.

Internal ID: 0367.0006
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

First Notice of Elephant Stampede

The Great Elephant Hunt - C.P.R. memo to employees about the 6 escaped elephants, August 7, 1926. Memo reads: "All Trains West - Cranbrook Keep lookout for Elephants on track advise if sighted from first telegraph office giving location."

Internal ID: 0367.0007
Medium:Photograph
Date: August 7th 1926

"Charlie Ed" At Time of Capture

"Charlie Ed." on September 14th, 1926 at point of capture near Jim Smith Lake,approx 6 km SW of Cranbrook. Shown with the elephant are Ktunaxa trackers and Sells-Floto circus handlers.

Internal ID: 0469.0001
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Charlie Ed." at Time of Capture

"Charlie Ed." on September 14th, 1926 at point of capture near Jim Smith Lake,approx 6 km SW of Cranbrook. Shown with the elephant are Ktunaxa trackers and Sells-Floto circus handlers.

Internal ID: 0469.0002
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Bringing Home Two Captured Elephants

Ktunaxa trackers and Sells-Floto elephant handlers bringing two of the escaped elephants back to the CPR stockyard corrals on August 7th, 1926 at 8:oo p.m. They are being led down the road to Wycliffe.

Internal ID: 0469.0003
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Bald Mt. Where the Elephant Hunt Took Place

This is believed to be a view of the area where "Charlie Ed." was captured on September 14th, 1926, just to the SW of Juim Smith Lake.

Internal ID: 0469.0004
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Charlie Ed." and Circus Staff

The last of the escaped Sells-Floto cirfcus elephants, "Charlie Ed.", at point of capture near Jim Smith Lake on September 14th, 1926. Shown are several of the Sells-Floto officials and elephant handlers.

Internal ID: 0469.0007
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Charlie Ed." and Circus Staff

The last of the escaped Sells-Floto circus elephants, "Charlie Ed.", at point of capture near Jim Smith Lake on September 14th, 1926. Shown are several of the Sells-Floto officials and elephant handlers.

Internal ID: 0469.0008
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Capture of "Charlie Ed."

The point of capture of "Charlie Ed.", the last of the Sells-Floto escaped elephants to be caught on September 14th, 1926. Both Ktunaxa trackers and Sells-Floto elephant handlers are seen in the picture.

Internal ID: 0469.0009
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Decoy Elephants

Two elephants, presumed to be Frieda and Trilby, from the Sells-Floto Circus herd staked out as decoys, probably for the capture of Myrtle out in the Jap Lake area SE of Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0469.0010
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Cranbrook Ed." At the Victoria Cafe

"Cranbrook Ed." after his baptismal, at the Victoria Cafe on Baker Street in Cranbrook, enjoying his last meal before departure. Left to right: Mr. J. Stewart, Sells-Floto Circus assistant-manager; elephant man; Misses Torgeson and Lobeter of the Victoria Cafe staff.

Internal ID: 0469.0011
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Elephants Just Captured

Two Sells-Floto Circus escaped elephants just captured at 7:00 p.m. on August 7th, 1926, at Cranbrook, B.C. They are on the road from Wycliffe into Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0469.0012
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Death of Myrtle

Myrtle was found on September 10th in very poor condition from exposure. She either died from pneumonia or was put down by a rifle shot before she could be moved. The site is where she was finally located out near Moyie Mountain.

Internal ID: 0469.0013
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Death of Myrtle

Caption reads - "Myrtle Dead - You Are a Good Elephant Now." Myrtle was the second to last escaped Sells-Floto elephant to be captured at Cranbrook, September 10, 1926. She perhaps died of pneumonia or was put down by rifle fire because of her poor physical condition. This shows where she was found near the base of Moyie Mountain SE of Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0469.0014
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Death of Myrtle - Lifting the Cape

After Myrtle's death she was skinned and her head and front feet were severed. The skull, lower jaw and left front foot ended up at the University of Alberta, Edmonton. The gentleman in the background doing the actual skinning is thought to be C.B. Garrett, Cranbrook taxidermist. A sample of Myrtle's skin is still preserved at the Canadian Museum of Rail Travel in Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0469.0015
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Cranbrook Ed." Departing

"Cranbrook Ed." entering the CPR baggage car that would take him from the Cranbrook stockyards to San Francisco, Ca., where the Sells-Floto Circus was playing. His $1,200 ticket got him the whole baggage car to himself.

Internal ID: 0469.0016
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Cranbrook Ed." Departing

"Cranbrook Ed." entering the CPR baggage car off the stockyard ramp at Cranbrook. He was ticketed to ride in style, at a cost of $1,200, to San Francisco, Ca.

Internal ID: 0469.0017
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Elephants Cooling Off

This is thought to be a photograph of three of the escaped elephants cooling off near Cranbrook after the 1926 elephant stampede.

Internal ID: 0469.0018
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

Sells-Floto Circus Elephants

Irene Ledgett is shown in a 1925 publicity photo with the Sells-Floto Circus elephant herd, doing a long mount.

Internal ID: 0469.0019
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1925

'Charlie Ed." at Point of Capture

The last of the escaped Sells-Floto CIrcus elephants at Cranbrook, "Charlie Ed." is seen with elephant man "Spot" Griffin at left holding his ear and Charles "Front Door" Morgan at right.

Internal ID: 0469.0023
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926

"Charlie Ed." Finally Captured

The last escaped Sells-Floto Circus elephant, "Charlie Ed." at his point of capture near Jim Smith Lake SW of Cranbrook.

Internal ID: 0469.0024
Medium:Photograph
Date: 1926