Most people have heard of Jumbo, and its representation for Large. But now adays, most people don't know that the expression came from Jumbo the Elephant. He was the star of the Barnum & Bailey Circus, which travelled the country thrilling customers.
Jumbo was an African Elephant, born in 1861.
While in St Thomas, during the September 15, 1885 performance, the elephants were all brought back to their railcars, except for Jumbo and the smallest elephant, Tom Thumb. As they helped finish the show, they were walked down the railline to their own cars when an unscheduled train sounded its horn. Unable to stop, the train sent Tom flying, but killed Jumbo.
In 1985 the town decided to honour the life of Jumbo, and created a life sized statue to display near the railcrossing he was killed at. A CBC report tells the story.
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