Stewart Craven

1: 4-Paw Babe (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 2: 4-Paw Queen (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 3: Betts (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 4: Columbia (Victoria) (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 5: Old John (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 6: Romeo (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 7: Rubber (trainer from 1879 to 1880) 8: Romeo (Canada, Selim) (trainer from 1860 to 1864)

Trainer of the famous Six "London" elephants.

In an 1880 newspaper interview, Stewart Craven stated that he had trained 12 elephants the previous winter at the Philadelphia Quarters. "They are superior to anything of the kind yet seen, having a military drill, an improved pyramid, a tight rope walker and a clown elephant.

He further mentioned that he was present at the birth of "Hebes" calf.

2011

William "Buckles" Woodcock Buckles Blog

Letter from Bill Woodcock to Dick Conover 4-2-63
"Believe I absorbed the names of the 8 Forepaugh Quadrille elephants:
John, Babe, Queen, Romey (Romeo), Columbia (male), Betts, Dutch and Rubber."

2008

William "Buckles" Woodcock Buckles Blog

Though advertised as "The Forepaugh Dancing Eight" only four remained from the famous act trained for Adam Forepaugh by Stewart Craven in the early 1880's, "Columbia", "Betts", "Romeo" and "Rubber".

2008

William "Buckles" Woodcock Buckles Blog

In 1860 Stewart (also Stuart) Craven was called in to manage Romeo. Craven secured ropes around the animal and subdued him with shotgun pellets.

Born 1834 in Ohio.
1853 Van Amburgs Menagerie
1850 Mabie Bros.
1865 Dan Rice Circus (4-Paw owned)
1870 Howes Great London
1876 Adam Forepaugh Shows
1879 Cooper and Bailey

Died in Dallas, Texas Jan. 16, 1890.

William "Buckles" Woodcock Buckles Blog