During the past 24 years here at the Tribune I’ve written about a multitude of topics in the newspaper, plus 1,243 previous columns. One of those topics in the past was based on the city’s connection with a kangaroo named Peter the Great.

I’m not sure when my original article about this particular kangaroo was published. However, several 1940 news articles recently found by local historical researcher Kevin Savick revived my interest in this topic. And what really inspired this column was a timely reference in those two news articles regarding Peter’s involvement in the nation’s presidential campaigns. More about that later, but first let’s explain the local connection with the kangaroo.

This Australian-born critter was described by the Tribune as the most highly educated kangaroo in the world. He was 3 1/2 years old, weighed 160 pounds, and had been acquired by Mr. and Mrs. Ted Elder of Raymond, Miss., in Australia’s New South Wales state. They had trained Peter to be a boxer and took him around the nation to appear at various events.

On March 20, 1940, Peter was at the Minneapolis Builders’ Show. During an elevator ride his tail became caught in the door and was badly mangled. A veterinarian treated the animal. The Elders later loaded their pet, who was almost like a member of the family, in a trailer. Then they traveled on U.S. Highway 65 to their next scheduled appearance in Omaha at the Shrine Circus. Sadly, Peter became very ill and the Elders stopped in Albert Lea and took him to the home of Dr. M.B. Higbee, a veterinarian who lived on South Newton Avenue.

A news report in the March 22, 1940, issue of the Tribune quoted Dr. Higbee as saying, “The tail may have to be amputated to save the animal’s life.” The doctor also said Peter had blood poisoning and advised the Elders to take their kangaroo, and main source of income, right back to Minneapolis for further treatment at an animal hospital.

Later that same day, Peter was taken to the O.B. Morgan Dog and Cat Hospital in Minneapolis where he was diagnosed as being in critical condition with gangrene setting in. Before the tail could be amputated, the nation’s leading boxing kangaroo died.

After the appearance at the Shrine Circus in Omaha, Peter was scheduled to became a part of the nation’s presidential election process in 1940. At this point we can hop or jump right into the next part of this column.

Here’s how the Tribune explained this next part of Peter’s life:

“Next week he was to stunt with Gracie Allen over the air (radio). Gracie has adopted the kangaroo as the emblem of the new party, just as the Republicans have adopted the elephant and the Democrats the donkey. Gracie is runnin’ for President of the United States as all know who have heard her sing ‘Vote For Gracie’ (on the radio broadcasts).”

Right at this point some explanation is needed regarding Gracie Allen. Her real name was Grace Ethel Cecile Rosalie Allen (1895-1964). She married George Burns and as a team they became very popular stars of the vaudeville era, plus radio, early television, and even a few films. Her role was to be the zany partner and comic foil for George, who became the straight man. In reality, Gracie was an extremely talented comedienne.

In the spring of 1940, Gracie decided to create the Surprise Party as part of her comedic routine. This ersatz political party had as its slogan, “It’s in the bag,” and kangaroo as the symbol or official animal.

Unfortunately, Peter never became a part of what would have been a radio program on one of the national networks. Just how the role of a kangaroo would have been portrayed for the radio listeners in 1940 is subject to conjecture.

The election of 1940 actually involved Democrat Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Republican Wendell Wilke, with Roosevelt as the winner with a third term.

George Burns continued on into the fairly recent era, dying in 1996.

Ed Shannon’s column has been appearing in the Tribune every Friday since December 1940.