Tillie (circa 1870 – 1932) was a female Asian elephant that was the mascot of the John Robinson Circus.[1][2][3][4] Tille was acquired by John H. Robinson, owner of the circus, in 1872.[1] She was the leader of the elephant pack.[1] Tillie was one of four elephants that the Robisons kept when they sold the Robinson Circus in 1912.[1]
Death
A full page obituary was published in the The Cincinnati Enquirer when Tillie died in 1932. An audience of two thousand celebrated in Terrace Park her with a plane dropping carnations and the remaining three elephants stood by as a canon was fired.[1][4]
Exactly where Tilles is buried is uncertain. Rumors that she was buried in Spring Grove cemetery have not been substantiated. [1][5] Although there is a tombstone for Tillie on the Robinson's old property in Terrace Park, Lynn Nelson--who was a 30-year resident of Terrace Park--insists Tille is not buried under the tombstone, but is instead buried in a dry well on the same property.[1]
Nuxall and Nelson both believe her legs were cut off and made into umbrellas stands.[1][5]
