Monday, September 5, 2011

BILL PRICKETT VISITS PERU, INDIANA

Part One: Paul Kelly Farm.......


My last stop on 8-10-2011, in Peru, Ind, was the Paul Kelly Farm.














#1 and #2 Flyer, circa 1950







Posted by Picasa



Part One: Paul Kelly Farm.......My last stop on 8-10-2011, in Peru, Ind, was the Paul Kelly Farm. I had a short, and very enjoyable visit with
Dorothy (99) and Eddie (80).



I had met them both in July of 1996, just prior to the auction to be held on the premises. The farm still is
owned by Dorothy. It is my understanding , that she stopped the auciton as she did not feel that the bids on items were
realistic. "Terrell Jacobs purchased this property on route 31 across from the Naval Base in the late thirties, and used it for his circus
winter quarters. He had lions, tigers, elephants and other animals. He was the only man who worked 52 lions in the arena at one time.
Arthur Wirt who owned Cole Bros. and Barnes Bros. circus purchased the property from Terrell Jacobs. It was one of the largest
railroad circuses on the road. Paul Kelly was next to acquire the property. Paul was born in the circus, his father Pat Kelly was in the
circus before the turn of the century. Paul and Dorothy opened a museum and tourist attraction. We put on shows, elephant acts, sea lion
acts, dog and pony acts, liberty acts, lion and tiger acts. We had 19 elephants at one time and later put in kiddie rides".... from Dorothy's
history letter. I was able to tour the barns in 1996, and saw the cages and arena were Terrell Jacobs trained the cats. The barn property
is over grown and no open to the public due to vandalism.

No comments:

Post a Comment