Daily American organ. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1856, 1855-06-09
3 From the Buffalo Democracy
An Elephants Fra, crnal Feeling and
sS tHt fFns.tiOn stf-es1 a.t

While wagon drawn by several elephants was
passing our office yesterday, tho following story
was told, which we vouch for as true gf
Last season, a menagerie visited the village Of
Johnstown, Herkimer county. When the caval-
cade left town, II passed over a bridge which the
road crossed, leaving two elephants 70 bring up
the rear These were driven to the bridge, but,
with the known sagacity Of the race, they refused
TO cross. The water of the creek, which flows
through &c in the slate formation, presenting
AZ that point banka Of precipitous character and
thirty feet In height, was low, and by taking a
course across a cornfield ford could be reached.
But the proprietor Of the cornfed refused TO allow
his property to be so used except on the payment
Of an exorbitant sum, and this the agent OF the
menagerie refused TO submit TO- Accordingly the
elephants were again driven to tho bridge, and
again they refused to attempt the crossing They
would try the structure with their great feet feel
cautiously along the plank with their proboscal
fingers, but each time would recoil from making
the dangerous experiment..
At last, however, goaded BY the sharp iron in
strument Of the keeper, and accustomed TO obed-
cnce, they rushed on with scream half Of agony,
half OF anger The result showed the prudent
prescence of the poor animals to have been cor
rect the bridge broke, and went crashing to the
bottom Of the gorge, carrying with it both the
monstrous beasts. One of them struck upon its
tusk and shoulder, breaking the former and very
badly iljuring the latter; the other was strang "
enough, unhurt.' Now was shown the most singu-
lar and remarkable conduct on the part Of the
brute which had escaped It's comrade lay there
IN extemporc bed being provided for Its comfort
while no temptation, no stratagem, was sufficient
to induce the other to leave, and proceed with the
main portion Of the caravan, which finally went
on, leaving the wounded beast and its companion
under the charge of their keeper
Day after day the suffering creature lay there,
rapidly failing, and unable to move. At the end
of three weeks he water in the creek commenced
rising, and there was danger It would overflow and
drown the disabled elephant. The keeper desired,
therefore, get it up and make it walk as far as
a barn near by, where it would be out of danger,
and could be better cared for. But it would not
stir. He coaxed, wheedled, and scolded, but all
TO no purpose. At last, enraged be seized pitch
fork, ard wss about plunging 1t into the poor
things flesh, when the companion wrenched the
fork from his hand, broke II In fragments, and
flung the pieces from IL; then, with eyes glaring,
and every evidence of rage in its manner, It stood
over ts defencelcss and wounded friend, as II dar-
ing the keeper 10 approach, which the man was
not 80 green as to do again with cruel purpose
: Thus the injured animal lay there until it died.
When satisfied that II could no longer be Of SER
vice, the other quietly followed the keeper away
from the spot, and showed no desire TO eturn; If
this was not reasoning, mingled with an affection
some men might pattern aftor, we should like TO
know what to call IL. .-
FaIpAY NOT AN USLucKY DAr.---Mr. 8. V.,Ro-
Eers, Of owenshorough Kentucky, has compiled
various incidents to prove the falsty Of the popu
lar idea that Fridav is an unlucky day among
them are tho following
On Friday, August 81, 1892, Christopher Co
lumbus sailed on his voyage Of discovery; on FRI
day he first discovered land on Friday he return
ed to Spain, which led TO the settlement of this
colony on Friday he arrived at Palos safely ; on
Friday he made his second voyage to America
on Friday, June 18Th, 1924, he discovered the
continent Of America on Friday, March 9th,
1895, John CADET received his commission, which
led to the discovery Of North America; on Friday
the oldest settlement was made in the United
States; on Friday the Pilgrims signed the com
pact which was the forcrunner of our present con-
stituton; on Friday the Pilgrims landed on Ply
mouth Rock on Friday George Washington, the
father OF our happy country, was born on Friday
bunker Hill was occupied on Friday France de-
clared for the cause Of America; on Friday the
treason of Arnold was laid bare; on Friday the
surrender Of yorktown occurred; on Friday John
Adams declared that the United Colonies were,
and of RI hit ought 10 he free and independent