Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1826-04-14

mate of the Menagerie for IL years Ii was broupb,
nom Bombay, where it was caught when quite young
and was supposcdto be about five years old when pur
chased BY Mr.. Gross, consequently its present age is
about 20 The effect of its unavoidable seclusion haC
displayed Itself in strong symptoms of rrabiy during
certain season from the first, and these symptoms had
oeen observed To become stronger each succeeding
as II advanced towards maturity The animal was al
ways kept at this very low, and also pentifuv
physched for which latter purpose, were informed
no less than one hundred weight of salts frequently
administered 10 him al time. Notwithstanding how
ever these precautions the animal within the las, few
Gays mas shown strong proofs otirritabiy, refusing the
ccsscS OF his keepers and attempting 10 strike them
WIN ms trunk on their approaching hun, also AT times
rolling himself about his dcn aud forcihy baerinp IFS
sdes.-About enc o'clock yesterday afternoon he be-
came more ungovernablc than any former period and
commenced battcrng the bars of his den it'll his trunk
The den is of amazing strength and cost about ESQ in
bIiiiing; but solid oak and hammered iron seem
cd ra when opposed TO the amazing strength of an ami
mai eleven feet IN height, and weighing nearly five tons
whose mere weight when IN state of quietness no
ordinary barriers could withstand but which in so in
ilriated condition, it seemed impossible TO restrain
nv the most powerful Had there been possibility of
getting HIM down alive, the proprietor might have re
ceved for him the large of a thousand pounds and
the sacrifice of considerable part of his property
was not lightly 10 be made Mr. Cross resolved, as
other means had failed, 10 have him Immediately shot
Accordingly messenger was sent 10 Somerset house,
where two soldiers usual, guard, who on "a
suitable representation being made, were allowed TO po
over 10 the mcnagerc, tai ing with them their mu skes
Seve~ rule guns we're also obtained from different
places IN the neigborhuod, and put into the hands of
such OF the persons about the establishment had cour
age enough TO remain in the In this manner in
all about fourteen persons armed but before com
'neucng operations, deemed prudent to secure the
front of the den, by passing cords around those bars
against which the animals violence had been princ
pay dirccted-Two gentlemen, Mr.. Brool1es aud Mr.
CHI, Surgeons, and perfectly acquainted with the ana
tony OF the animal. present, and pointed out those
parts where he most vulnerable. The place chiefly
aimed at was Immediately behind the blade bone in the
direction oi the heart but the skin of such ainaZ
ing thickness and hardness, that the balls for a long
time, produced, apparently, effect upon him
than they would have done a bale of cotton The
only time that he gave very evident proofs pain which
he did by erric half below, half scream was on be-
ing severely wounded behind the car. A third of thu
party advanced TO the front OF the den till within about
five yards OF the animal and discharged their pieces at
the tender part of the neck below the ear and then I'M
medatey rercated TO at the lower end Of the
room for the purpose of reloadng. The animal on
finding himself wounded, uttered loud and piercing
groan and advancing TO the front of the den struck his
trunk several times with all his fury against the bars
another ofwhc he succeeded in forcing out os place.
Having IN this manner at last exhausted his fury he
came quet upon which another detachment of the par
ty approached s den, and after firing upon him, retired
into the recess before. The animal, on receiving
the fire. again plunged violently against the front
at the den the door of which he actually lifted from of
i'supperinos hinge, but was prevented from getting
by the strong manner in which the ropes bound the diff
f2Tent bars together. On his becoming more TRANQUIL
sooner were the muskes about TO be eveed than the
ANIMAL as If concous of their being the cause of lis
Wounds and also of the vulnerable parts against which
they intended TO be directed, turned Sharp round
and retreaed into the back of the den and hid his head
between his shoulders.
II IN consequence became necessary him. BY
prIcking him with spears, which being effected the mus
kets were discharged at him. and although several balls
evidently took effect in the neck well as on the for m
or occasion, still lie did not exhibit any signs of weak
ness, beyond absainng from those violent efforts which
lie had previously made against the front of his den in
deed from this time he kept almost entirely the back
of the den, and although the blood flowed prosely from
the wounds he had received, he gave other symptom
of passion pain, than occasional groan or kick
against the side of the den. For about an hour and
half in this manner, continued discharge ofmuskery
was kept up against him. and less than 152 bullets
were expended before he fell TO the ground where he
lay nearly moti0nless, and despatched with
sword, which, after being secure. upon the end of
rife, was plunged into his neck. The quantity of blooc
that flowed from him very considerable and flooded
the den TO considerable depth
This is the same elephant which, readers will, M
doubt, remember the accidental cause of the dealt
of lis keeper German of the of Tietien. whose
ribs it crushed, about four months back while in thu
act OF turning round in its den.