Brought to life in children’s book form
The front page of the Detroit Free Press from June 16th, 1925, brings us the following story.
Meet Urma
Urma, bear cub, is with Jacob’s circus of “roaring lions,” though Urma is too young to do more than growl lightly. The circus was on its way to Monroe from Port Huron.
For weeks the animal trainer has been trying unsuccessfully to teach Urma how to climb a pole. He thought it would fit into an act and that Urma should do something to earn her carrots and licorice stick. But she didn’t show any glee over the climbing practice. She fell off the bicycle they got her, and on roller skates she was all wet, also.
Urma’s had enough!
Urma got it into her obstinate head that pole-climbing was exactly what she wanted to do. She deserted the circus wagon and made for one of the lofty, wire-strung sticks and she shimmied up to the highest cross-arm.
They whistled at her. They called and threatened.
“Ain’t you funny?” called back Urma, who has picked up a lot of slick chatter from the circus boys.
Can we get her down?
A stake-man donned lineman’s spurs and ascended the pole, but even after he looped a rope around Urma’s protesting thick neck she would have none of it.
“She’ll get hungry eventually.”
Then the trainer sat down to wait for dark and the approaching hunger that always comes to Urma at night. The reporter didn’t go back to see what happened when the stars came out. He’s not fooling with bears at night, though Urma’s reputation be of the best.
At last
The trainer had the right hunch. Urma came down to terra firma late last evening.
A True Story
Terrell M. Jacobs was a daring circus animal trainer in the 1920s. He worked with lions, tigers, and leopards (and stubborn bears), often performing with dozens at once. Crowds watched in awe as he commanded wild animals with skill and nerve. Jacobs earned fame for his bravery and showmanship. He lived for the spotlight and the thrill of the ring. His act became a staple of American circus history.
The End
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