There was a large "menagerie" open between 4 and 5 in the afternoon, and an advertisement claimed that it included "every known wild animal in the world".

Admission prices ranged from two to five shillings, and this was apparently acceptable to the locals for the performance drew a record crowd.

Wirth's Circus travelled in those days by special train, and on its arrival at Bomaderry, residents were invited to watch the elephants at work in moving all the waggons and equipment across to Nowra.

Everything went smoothly until the last of the gear was being taken back to the train at Bomaderry, and around half-way across the bridge one of the elephants sat down and refused to budge.

Over the years the elephant has been referred to as Jessie, but according to a contemporary report (Shoalhaven Telegraph, 20 May 1914) her name was Phyllis.

Whatever the elephant's name, she would not answer to it on that day and the Telegraph journalist speculated whether it was because of "illness, sulkiness, or a desire to see more of the beautiful Shoalhaven".

A crowd soon gathered, and there was soon a traffic jam of the type that became commonplace on the bridge some 60 years later.

Those people using horse-drawn vehicles found that their horses refused to go past the stationary elephant, and it was a real problem for those taking coaches to the regular rail service at Bomaderry station.

As the day wore on, the drivers of some private vehicles overcame the problem by blindfolding their horses for part of the journey.

"Coaxing and punishment were equally unsuccessful; then the feeding of seven loaves of bread, washed down with several gallons of beer flavoured with ginger, was tried, but still Phyllis was obdurate," the Telegraph stated.

The twin screw steamer Benandra was travelling up the Shoalhaven River that day, and it was suggested it stand near the bridge and use its derrick to lift the elephant to its feet.

On its way upstream the steamer became stuck on a sandbank, and when local bullocky Mison came into view with his team, it was suggested this was the way to solve the problem.

Perhaps the threat of being hauled by bullocks did the trick, or it may have been the encouragement of another elephant, Jumbo standing nearby.

As suddenly as the incident started, it was all over; Jessie (or Phyllis) suddenly got to her feet and walked quietly to the station, once more amenable to the commands of her keeper.

Even though the incident delayed Wirth Bros' departure, it provided the circus with some good publicity, for a photograph of the elephant lying on the bridge subsequently appeared in one of Sydney's afternoon newspapers.