New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1865-03-10
VAN AMBURGH & cos MENAGERIE, $50 AND Oh
BROADWAY.

0Tm An Wblco II Co"e' w w.
vAy AMBURGH 4 cos MENAGERIE 539 AND o4i
BROADWAY.
=, ne Editor Of The N. Y Tribune.
SIR: The particulars which follow concerning
The visits Of celebrated elephants to this country INC
methods of their training their treatment under eAa
srinary circumstances their habits and their character
Nave been gathered from Mr.. Van Amtureh; Mr. Frost
4 smanarer of Van Amburi:h Co.'s Aenageiiei MI
Albert Townsend. who has at different times had
charge OF siam. virginius, Pzarro Coiumoas anu
Hannibal. Eve of the most noted elephants that nave
ever been in America; Mr. Langworthy 1.-The Hon tamer
who had many years experience with Mogu' Bonvar
and other elephants and Mr. Frank Nash, the present
keeper Of the elephant Tippoo Saib.
CELEBRATED ELEPHANTS.
The first elephant ever brought to this country was
female called Betsey fgmarly known to the puolc as
.Old Bet" She was sho. near Alfred in Maine while
travelling by rustic ruans, out OF sheer wahtoh
ness The next one also called Betsey' ana oy
singular coincidence she met her death In similar
manner near Woonsocket. r. l. In the latter case
come Of the parties concerned in the outrage were dis
covered and made pay dearly for their amusement.
d Romeo was one Of the largest elephants ever brought
70 this country and Of different breed from any
other that has been here. his tusks being but few
mails ever known. and was apparently unconquerapie
He died at Someretown In "a IS, chained TO
tree from an overdose OF ptchfork the necessity Tor
qualifications of which win presently be shown. llppoo
Sultan was another famous elephant of those days lie
was an animal of fine appearance and very well framed
spc well known throughout the country. de was AZ
Che building Of the old Geological Institute IN tne
Bowery during the Winters Of sc and 49, whence
le went TO the West indies While there he went into
pond for bath day. and refusing TO leave H.
several balls fred into him by way OF persuasion
from the effects Of which he died. Madue DJek' the
heroine Of Charles Reade's Jack Of all Trades, was
here abont 1884, and played at both the Park and Bowey
Theaters aftor which sne went to Philadelphia She
vss In charge Of an East Indian native keeper While
IN this city she got loose night and went through
sAe Bowery ard Chathan-sts pumping water from toe
ENNIS which then stood IN those localities and wrench
Ing Of the handles after she bad satisfied her Thirst
She also made sad havoc with the awning posts. and
fased the mischief generally. In Philadelphia her per-
Sorpancss created quite an excitement A warm con-
petition sprung up between the management OF the
Chestnut and the Arch-Street Theaters as to which
uhsud have her services both houses claiming that abe
va under engagement and carcatnre Issued rep
Fsssntng the rival struggling for her posses
sion one having her by the trunk and the other by the
and very powerful animal that to this country about
g. BE was on very good terms with mankiad but was
extremely auarre,some with his fellow beasts He has
been known 70 knock the huge elephant Columbus az
completely of his feet man was knocked
ever BY club. In the Spring Of 40 rhinoceros got
loose nom Ids cage in the old mensgere building in the
Bowery and In endeavoring to make his escape ran
within reach Of Siam. who with two blows OF bis In
nense tusks laid him dead at his feet with his whole
aide crushed in siam died in GAINESVILLE o. from being
chilled while standing out Of doors 10 heavy storm.
Nogul fine, large elephant that Travelled one or
tro years In tie Eastern States. He board the
Roysl Tar which was burned in the Bay Of Fundy many
ysars ago and In company with small pony went over
board and eDdeavored TO swim ashore, but himself and
Ais diminutive companion were both drowned. Queen
Anne elephant very wen known In the Southern
Bates where she travelled for many years. At zanes
ve Ohio cold morning her attendant allowed her
20 drink a barrel Of icy-coId water and that was
She last Of Queen Anne. Bolivar was q welknown
elephant. he presented TO some English notabilty
By an Indian prince and placed In the menagere which
until recently kept in the Tower Of London where
Ae was purchased when very small and broughtto this
country. sAherward he went TO England again with
Mr. Van Amburgh, was exhibited in his menagerie
throughout Great Britain and then played star engage
NESTS at theaters In London and the principal proyin
sil towns appearing in drama written expressly to
lisrlay his accomplishments. He returned to the
United States with Mr.. Van Ambnrgh in As. and sub
ssquently travelled In all parts OF the Union. He died
down South from q Chill received while swimming
river Columbus virginius, Pizarro and Hannibal
were four enormous elephants that were driven
through the streets Of New-York attached 10 band
carriage. Pkarro and virglnius were drowned while
sadeasering to swim the Delaware at Camden, n j.
thsy chained together at the tme Columbus fell
through bridge at North Adams. Mass. and Injured
As spine badly that he died In few days. Hannibal
th largest elephant that has ever been In this country
- Europe. and probably Of the largest that has
sve1 hsed, 10 now at the Nenagerie buildings In Broad
way. Although about seventy years Of age. 1t IL
drought that he is still growing and 1t Is certain that he
HIN the enjoy msnt Of most excellent appetite Mr.
lot estimates that It has cost over go 900 10 feed
Hannibal since he arrived In this country nls2l Tip
pee 6aib is La 70 and exceedingly wen trained e,e
phsnt and b also now Included IN the collection Of
Van Anburgh & Co He IL the "heary man" among
tAs artssts Of the menagerie company. There have
bccn many other elephants in the country ct various
nes out those mentioned above the that have
ssayiyed the greatest noteriety. srrr 10 ~
~ METHOD or TREATrsG ELgPHAsTG ..-8.
Female elephants are generally, il not inysristly,
gests and doefe, and may be managed By any Que. |
Tbefe may have been exceptions to this rule a. ee
pAanss like human beings, differ in their dispositions
bot snch exceptions have not been known to occur m
this country. The fu-grown male elephaus however,
b an animal that requires constant watchine and
sDove all fearless keeper. No mau can oocupyy thai
peaitsn with any safety unt he has acqnired com
pets mastery over the animal that he tahes in charge
and the latter must be made to understand that tei