The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.
It's been 50 years, but Norma Jean Elephant and her story will be remembered and celebrated in Oquawka this Sunday, July 17th at North 5th Street from 1:00 p.m. until 3:00 p.m.
The people of Oquawka became the foster care-takers of this beloved animal.
How did this begin? It began with great compassion by individuals of the town that continues today.
Wade Meloan (1909-2004), the Oquawka druggist, was responsible for circus elephant, Norma Jean, getting a proper Memorial after she was struck and killed by lightning on July 17th 1972 in Oquawka.
After the elephant's death, the circus left town leaving the dead elephant for the Oquawka folks.
The Town fathers used a chain and backhoe to roll the elephant into a 12 foot grave.
Nothing else was done until Meloan painted a little sign, planted some grass and put up a little picket fence at the grave site.
He later convinced a friend, who was a stone mason, to build a monument at no charge.
His friend agreed to donate the stone for the monument from his quarry and a local contractor poured the monument's foundation without charge.
Several hundred dollars had been donated. The money was used to buy the granite on which a brief account of Norma Jean's untimely passing was carved into the stone. A framed case on the monument holds photos and history of Norma Jean's life with the circus with newspaper articles written by Paul Bell, publisher and owner of the Oquawka Journal and other area newspapers.
The crowning touch is the three foot high concrete elephant Meloan found at a Monmouth yard decoration shop, which has since been replaced.
A passion for people and animals, Wade Meloan painted a little sign for Norma Jean, planted some grass and put up a little picket fence at the gravesite.
Struck by lightning Norma Jean circus elephant, July 17, 1972 at the Oquawka Village Square. Surrounding the elephant: Jimmy Link, Chad Parrish, Jim Ferch, David Spangler, Kevin John, Steve Lox and in back left, Red the owner of the elephant.