Daily Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Iowa) 1854-1855, 1855-06-14
From the Buffalo Democracy.
An Elepha ants Fra terual Feeling and AfYeetior

An Elephants Fra ternal Feeling and Affection
While a wagon drawn by several elephants
was passing our Office yesterday, the follow.
ing story was told, which we vouch for as
true:
Last season menagerie visited the vii
lage Of Johnstown, Herkimer county
When the cavalcade left town it passed
over a bridge which the road crossed, leav-
ing two elephants to bring up the rear
These were driven to the bridge but with
the known sagacity of their race, they re-
fused to cross. The water of the creek,
which flows through gorge in the slate
formation, presenting at that point banks
of preciptous character and thirty feet in
height, was low and by taking course
across eornfield, ford could be reached.
But the proprietor of the corniield refused
to allow his property to be SO used excep,
in the payment of an exorbitant sum, and
this the agent Of the menagerie refused to
submit to. Accordingly the elephants
were again driven to the bridge, and again
they refused to attempt the crossing. They
would try the structure with their grea,
feet, feel cautiously along the plank with
their proboscal fingers, but each time would
recoiI from making the dangerous expert
ment.
At last, however, goaded by the sharp
iron instrument Of the keeper, and accus-
toned TO obedience, they rushed on, with
scream, hall OF agony, half of anger. The
result showed the prudent Prescience OF the
poor animals to have been correct; the
bridge broke, and went cras hing to the bot
tom Of the gorge, carry ng with 1t both the
monstrous beasts. One Of them struck
upon his tusk and shoulder, breaking the
former and very badly injuring the latter;
the other was strangely enough, unhurt.-
Now was show n the most singular and re-
markabie conduct on the part Of the brute
which had escaped. Its comrade lay there,
an extempore bed being provided for its
comfort, while no temptation, no force, no
stratagem was sufficient to induce the 9TH
er to leave and proceed with the main por-
ton OF the caravan, which finally went on,
leaving the wounded beast and lis compan-
ion under the charge ofits keeper.
Day after day the suffering creature lay
there, rapidly failing, and unable TO move
At the end OF three weeks, the water in the
creek commenced rising, and there WAS
danger j, would overflow and drown the
disabled elephant. The keeper desired.
therefore, to get it up and make it walk
as far as barn near by, where il
would be ont OF danger and could be better
cared for. But it would not stir. He coax.
ed, wheedled and scolded, but all to no
purpose At last enraged he seized pitch
fork, and was about plungiug il in the poor
things flesh, when the companion wrench
ed the fork from his hand. broke it in frag-
ments and flung the pieces from it; then
with Eyes glarlng aud every evidence OF
r7Ee Ia its manner, il stood over its defence
less and wounded friend as if daring the
keeper 10 approach, which the msn was
not 80 green as to do again, with cruel pur
pose,
Thus the injured animal lay ihare until
Il died When satisfied that it could no
longer be of service, the other quietly fol-
lowed the keeper away from the spot, and
showed no de IRE to return. Ii this was
not reasoning mingled with an affection
some men might pattern after, we should
Ike 10 know what h call il.