Looks like the double rifle is missing the forend. Maybe.

quote:

Originally posted by ledvm:
Now I see your following post Randall.

I will be over there during the cutting horse futurity...will see if the same.

A little more info - The original URL path to that black and white picture before it was obviously removed at some point was: www.elkcastle.com/our-elephant/ so I'm pretty confident it was at one time hosted by the folks at Elk Castle. Maybe was removed during a website hosting change or something.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
Looks like the double rifle is missing the forend. Maybe.

Affirmative on that Bwana - can see the photo all the way down here in TZ

Looks like Biebs and his Blaser.
Cal

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
Looks like the double rifle is missing the forend. Maybe.

Definitely missing the forend. There has got to be a good story!

According to the Internet Archive Wayback Machine:


Our Elephant

It sits on our north wall and acts like the proverbial elephant in the room. People who have been coming into the store for a long time will suddenly stop and ask, “When did ya’ll get that in here?!”

Um, 1980.
And YES, it’s real!

Our store is covered wall-to-wall-to-wall in critters from almost every continent, but the elephant is arguably the crown jewel of the lot. The behemoth was originally shot in 1949 by F. Kirk Johnson, II , of Ft. Worth, TX. He and his family hunted almost every year in what used to be British East Africa, (now Kenya).

Elephant Details

The elephant’s tusks weighed 154 and 156 pounds, respectively, for a total of 310 pounds of ivory – the 7th largest elephant on record at the time. It is still the 13th largest on record today. The family of Mr. Johnson retains possession of the original tusks, and the mount in our showroom has exact fiberglass replicas of the originals. It’s quite an impressive animal. The Black Rhino on our east wall was also shot by him a year later in 1950.

The gun used for both the rhino and elephant was a Best Grade Side-lock Rigby double rifle in .470 Nitro Express.

Kenya has been closed to hunters since the 1950’s.

Thank You. I remember looking at the Elephant and rhino every time I went in to Ewell Cross, then Elk Castle.

F. Kirk Johnson and his family along with Harry Tennyson were big supporters/benefactors of the Fort Worth Zoo for many years.

I realized I was using the way back machine wrong - figured it out. A little photoshopping to put the grabs together and viola! The original page:

Damn that is an Elephant and a half!

"Kenya has been closed to hunters since the 1950's" is a misrepresentation.

A little more history.

Dorothy Faye Holt Kimsey (wife of the man who shot the ele):

Kimsey, Dorothy Faye Holt Dallas--passed away peacefully to the Lord on Thursday, March 19, 2009, at 7:20 p.m. She exhibited amazing strength and courage throughout her nine-year battle against cancer, stroke and aphasia. Memorial celebrations: 5 to 7:30 p.m. Wednesday at the Racquet Club, 3009 Racquet Club Drive, Midland, and 5 to 7:30 p.m. Thursday, March 26, at Kokopelli Country Club, 1200 High Mesa Road in Alto, N.M. Memorials: In lieu of flowers, the family requests that any memorial contributions be made to UT Southwestern Breast Cancer Center in honor of Dr. Barbara Haley, 5323 Harry Hines Blvd., Dallas, Texas 75390-8852 or to Baylor Health Care System Foundation for Transplant Research in honor of Marsland Johnson in gratitude for granddaughter Marsland's recent gift of life, 3600 Gaston Avenue, Suite 100, Dallas, Texas 75246. Dorothy Faye was born Feb. 15, 1931, in Midland. Her parents were ranchers, O.B. Holt and Faye Wooldridge Holt. She was a graduate of Midland High School and attended Stephens College and the University of Texas. In 1950 Dorothy Faye married F. Kirk Johnson Jr. of Fort Worth and they had three children, Debra Faye, F. Kirk III and DeMar Elizabeth in Midland. She and Kirk were avid sportsmen and traveled throughout the world on safari and shooting competitions. She was known for her outstanding marksmanship and in 1955 she received the Silver Award from Safari Club International for her African bull elephant, taken in Tanzania with a recordbreaking tusk weighing 143 lbs. At that time it was the largest elephant ever taken by an American woman. On Nov. 29, 1965, Dorothy Faye married Roy E. Kimsey Jr. of Midland who became a wonderful stepfather to her three children. She was active in the Midland Hospital Auxiliary and the Midland Junior League. She was a member of the "Bush Belles" and helped promote the election of George H.W. Bush in the early days of his political career. She continued to support Mr. Bush throughout his presidential campaign. Dorothy Faye had a passion for the mountains of southern New Mexico. After the kids were off to college she spent most of her time at her riverside home in the upper canyon of Ruidoso, N.M. A renowned hostess, she was happiest when entertaining. A party at "D.F.'s" house was an event not to be missed. Dorothy Faye's philanthropic nature led to her generous support of Happy Hill Farm Academy/Home, St. Jude's Research Hospital for Children, National Cowgirl Museum, Smile Train, M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, George Bush Library Foundation, Spencer Theatre and Hubbard Museum in Ruidoso and, most recently, U.T. Southwestern Breast Cancer Center. Dorothy Faye was sadly preceded in death by her beloved son, Kirk III of Abilene, on May 12, 2008. The highlight of her recent years was traveling and hunting with Kirk and her longtime companion and love of her life, Bill Koons of Dallas. Survivors: She is survived by her brother, Robert Braxton Holt of Midland; daughters, Debra Johnson Head and husband, Albon, of Aledo and DeMar Johnson Hopson and husband, Hilton, of Lampasas; grandchildren, Jason Michael Harris, Krista DeMar Harris, Braxton Johnson Harris and Heath Hilton Hopson of Lampasas, Faye DeMar Sciuto and husband, Frank, of Dallas, Bailey Reeves McGuire of Chicago, F. Kirk Johnson IV and Marsland Elizabeth Johnson of Dallas. Greenwood Funeral Home 3100 White Settlement Rd.

I knew it was a Texan!

Does this help? This is the guy that once owned the gunshop where the maybe trophy is still located. About the right age and about the right build.

UPDATE: Never mind, didn't see the definitive previous thread

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi...age=gr&GRid=63362074

F. Kirk Johnson Jr. 1928 - 1968 (man in the picture)

quote:

Originally posted by Matt Norman:
Does this help? This is the guy that once owned the gunshop where the maybe trophy is still located. About the right age and about the right build.

UPDATE: Never mind, didn't see the definitive previous thread

https://www.findagrave.com/cgi...age=gr&GRid=63362074

Mr. Cross owned the gunshop and I met him a few times but he didn't shoot the ele... F. Kirk Johnson Jr. shot the ele in the picture.

Shows how much I know about hats!


The real mystery is what happened to the forend of his double?

This is the son of the man who shot the ele.

F. Kirk Johnson, III

JOHNSON III, F. KIRK Abilene -- Kirk Johnson III, 52, passed away Monday, May 12, 2008, from a sudden heart attack. Funeral Service: 10 a.m. Thursday at Wylie United Methodist Church, 3430 Antilley Road, Abilene. Graveside service: 4 p.m. Thursday in Greenwood Memorial Park, 3100 White Settlement Road, Fort Worth; with a reception following in Greenwood Reception Center. Memorials: The family asks that, in lieu of flowers, contributions be made to the Open Door Club, 3157 Russell Ave., Abilene, Texas 79605; Wylie United Methodist Church, 3430 Antilley Road, Abilene, Texas 79606; or Fort Worth Zoological Association, Attention: Development, 1989 Colonial Parkway, Fort Worth, Texas 76110. Kirk was born May, 16, 1955, in Midland. He was an avid and passionate outdoorsman. He was a world champion at skeet and pigeon shooting, having competed in shoots throughout the U.S. and abroad. Hunting with his father, the late F. Kirk Johnson Jr., began early in life and they collected many record trophies of both large and small game. He was also involved in assisting with the relocation of endangered species from Africa to U.S. Zoos. He was mentored by Harry Tennison, co-founder with his grandfather of the Fort Worth Zoological Association and principal organizer of Game Conservation International. He made many safaris into Africa under the tutelage of Mr. Tennison and was a graduate of the renowned Dr. Ian Player Wilderness Leadership School of South Africa. Like his father and grandfather, Kirk engaged in independent oil and gas exploration throughout his career, having successfully managed several family owned energy related entities out of Midland and Abilene. Kirk was totally involved with helping others. He was an active member of Wylie United Methodist Church in Abilene and was a 12 year participate in the Abilene Open Door Club. His life long passion for hunting and fishing had been replaced by his ardent desire to assist others in maintaining their sobriety. He joined Alcoholics Anonymous on April 3, 1996, and received his 12 year chip on April 3, 2008., from his life long sponsor and best friend, Thomas Irvin. Survivors: Children, Marsland Elizabeth Johnson and F. Kirk Johnson IV, both of Dallas; mother, Dorothy Faye Holt of Midland and Ruidoso, N.M.; sisters, Debra Johnson Head of Aledo and DeMar Johnson Hopson of Lampasas. Greenwood Funeral Home 3100 White Settlement Rd. Fort Worth, Texas

F. Kirk Johnson Jr is a mystery still as to what happened to him.

He died at 40.

He apparently led a colorful life in those short years...have found some interesting tidbits about him.

Interested to know more if anyone finds.

Despite their wealth, the Johnsons died young- the elder at 40 and the son at 52.

When management of the Ft. Worth Zoo changed from the City to the Zoological Association, Harry Tennison found out that the zoo really did not have any established protocol for dangerous animal escapes, so he donated the Model 70 Winchester in .375 H&H that he had used in Africa and the zoo developed a response team. I got to see and handle the rifle the day he brought it in.

I went to Elk Castle a couple times in the 1990s. I remember the all the mounted heads and the elephant but I was more focused on the guns........

I was on White Settlement rd just last week, Western Hauler checking on the status of the bed going on my new Volvo. May need to try and find that place to look at the critters.

Harry Tennison and his wife, Gloria were dear friends. Went on several hunts with them years ago. If you ever get to Purdys in London, several of his trophies are on display. A true gentleman. Founder of Game Coin.

quote:

Originally posted by Bud Meadows:
Despite their wealth, the Johnsons died young- the elder at 40 and the son at 52.

The old man...F Kirk Johnson Sr...lived into his 80's.

quote:

Originally posted by Bwana1:
Harry Tennison and his wife, Gloria were dear friends. Went on several hunts with them years ago. If you ever get to Purdys in London, several of his trophies are on display. A true gentleman. Founder of Game Coin.

Harry was a Coca-Cola heir and Coca-cola has a ranch in Jacksboro, TX...my home town. My family used to help at the ranch as they neighbored us. I met Mr Tennyson there a couple of times.

And the county road is named Coca Cola Ranch Rd.

Harry really loved the Rhinos at FWZ, and one of them was named Harry to honor him for all the work he did supporting the zoo.

quote:

Originally posted by Crazyhorseconsulting:
And the county road is named Coca Cola Ranch Rd.

Harry really loved the Rhinos at FWZ, and one of them was named Harry to honor him for all the work he did supporting the zoo.

Game Coin, when Harry was president, bought over a number of rhinos from S. Africa and raised them on several Texas ranches. The idea was to remove them from harms way and have them reproduce. They and the young would be returned when conditions were more favorable. Good idea, but never worked. Game Coin and the rhino plan folded shortly after Harrys death.

That is a problem when someone like Harry is dedicated to a cause, and when they pass on those that follow simply do not have the same vision.

Really sad.