Grand River times. [volume] (Grand Haven, Mich.) 1851-18??, 1854-12-13


noticed in our paper, of week before last, the
death of p. II. Barnum, the great Snowman,
promising TO give the particulars In our next is
sue, but more important matters occupied our
columns 10 its exclusion. This week we re-
deem our promise by laying the matter before
Our readers "as il was told as"
We consider it one Of the richest jokes OF
the season, and we must confess that we were
almost led to believe it true until we had Pc
rused the article the second time.
Imitation oats will not do for working ele.
plants. And notwithstanding Mr.. p II. Bar.
mum may be extremely expert in deyising "ways
and means" TO humbug his simple and credu.
lous fellows; yet let him beware how he tries
to humbug the more sagacious elephant. But
here is the story:
Awful End Of the Arch Humbug death Of
B-m al the Feel Of His Dun Els
plant!
Special Telegraphic Dispatch to the Democracy.
BRIDGEpo Nov. 90.
1t will be recollected that at the sale OF his
wild animals,a few days since, Mr.. p. T. BIN
bid in one Of the elephants, with the intention
Of working the animal upon his farm. This in
tention he partially carried out, and the passers
by of {" lranistan." his castle, or castor, have
been much amused the past few days at wit
Messing the unweldy animal engaged in vari-
Gus domestic duties, such as bringing water,
hanging out clothes, pulling celery, picking up
chips, etc. In these empoyments the creature
has evinced no indisposlion to labor for its hu-
man employer, but, OH the contrary, has frequent
Nv, when relieved at noon, been noticed to take
up bucket or rake, and 60 through the process
of drawing imaginary water, and gathering sup.
posititious chips. Indeed, so entirely tractable
had the elephant become, that he was suffered
to roam about the pastures in company with the
other cattle, until the death of fine shorthorn
steer from fright, and the loss of fine Morgan
colt, which ran itself entirely blind, and con-
tinued running until it dropped down moribund,
made it necessary to confne the elephant to a
stable.
The day before yesterday an old debtor of
BIS failed, and b. was obliged to take some of
his property on his claim. Among the lot was
machine for the manufacture of ,oooden oais,in
tended to be Of service when the Reciprocity
Treaty should come into effect. This machine
was in perfect working order, and was tried the
day it came home-the yield of imitation oats
amountngto forty bushels, and which were stor-
ed in the barn.
On taking the elephant out on Saturday, it
was discovered that he was not as good. natured
as usual, throwing his trunk about and utiering
cries Of anger. The mahout, or driver, attempt
ed to force him 10 his work, when he turned up
on him, seized him by his ample Oriental trou.
sers, and quietly dropped him in the well, whence
he was with difficulty extricated. The elephant
then started off for the pasture, where he en-
countered drove Of cattle, which he tossed in
all directions. In his mad career he overthrow a
smoke-house, demolished threshng- machine,
turned over stage-coach full of passengers,
and finally ran into the river, where he remained
nearly all day, attempting to pull down the abut-
ments of the bridge. Not succeeding in this, he
seemed to be chagrned, and returned sulkily to
his stable at evening
In the course of the evening Mr. 3. went to
The stable, accompanied by the mahou, who had
received no injury beyond ducking, and the
two attempted to lead the elephant out. See.
ing Mr.. B., the creature made at him, pinned
him TO the floor, and with terrible cries he
tramped him until there was no life left in his
system!
The cause Of the animals anger has been en-
planned. Mr.. B., whose success in humbug-
ging the public has been so great, presumed
too far upon the gullibiliiy of the ELEPHANT
He had fed him The imitation oats. The animal,
in his rage at being thus deceived, sought his
revenge!
The elephant has fed, and the whole town is
In CONSERVATION. The funeral Of Mr.. B. will be
attended tomorrow. His manuscript biography
will be buried with him.
Buffalo Democracy.