Bodgies Fail In Attempt To Stampede Elephants

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28269, 6 May 1957, Page 9

Bodgies Fail In Attempt To Stampede Elephants

(Rec. 9.15 pm.) SYDNEY. May 4. A gang of bodgies last night twice attempted to stampede circus elephants through crowded city streets. ' Armed with sticks, fence palings, and knives, and later with 22 rifles, they attacked elephant attendants after the evening performance given by Wirth Brothers’ circus. Seven tethered elephants trumpeted and milled about excitedly as wild fighting went on near their feet.

The circus has been set up in Prince Alfred Park, almost opposite Sydney’s Central Station. First indication of trouble came when six bodgies attacked two circus attendants.

Circus staff said an elephant oriver, 17-year-old Mr Edward Lang, was knocked to the ground by the bodgies and savagely battered over the head with a paling. Another driver, Mr John FerPushed one bodgie in the face before going down. He

was punched and kicked insen sible.

Two other hands, Messrs John King, aged 31, and Stanley Poulton, aged 18. raced to the injured men's assistance.

One young thug, aged about 16, rushed at Poulton with a knife.

After the bodgie slashed viciously at Poulton, cutting him on the left shoulder, the gang fled when Poulton grabbed a crowbar.

The pack raced away when a dozen other circus hands joined the fray. More than 15 bodgies, some armed with .22 rifles, returned two hours later, but found the circus staff waiting for them. They fled without a blow being landed. A circus official said later the elephants would have wreaked •frightening havoc” had they broken away. I hate to think what they would have done had they gone berserk in Sydney’s busy streets,” he said.

Detectives are still searching for the hoodlums. *