Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1865-06-08
About Elephants.

About Elephants.
gentleman connected with Van Amburgh's
Menagerie communicates to the New York Tris-
une an article about elephants. We produce a
couple of extracts from his article:
TRAITS AND DISPOSITION CT THE ELEPHANT.
Very little If any, affection exists in the elephant
toward his keeper. That disreputable quaaruo ed
Old Hannibal, has indeed been known to indulge
in demonstrations OF delight at the approach Of
for mer keeper whom he bad not seen for many
months, while on the other hand Tippoo Sab, who
Is one Of the best behaved OF his race last winter
refused to bestow the slightest recognition upon
one of his former keepers, who had had him in
charge four years. When an elephant rebels his
keeperi Is the first man he tries 70 destro~. Lang
worthy had charge of Bolivar for nine years and
half, during all Of which time he was under the
most complete subsection, but one day the old
fellow turned on him with such fury that he barely
escaped with his life. They generally fond of
the companionship of dog, and will submit to any
quantity Of insolence from one Of that species al
ter the latter has obtained footing in their good
ersces. There was q celebrated dog called
"Turk," thit travelled for mlny years with Bolivar
and exercised complete control over that huge
creature. When Bolivar made his attack on
Lansworthy, Turk" rushed undauntedly 10 the
rescue, and kept his attention employed until
enough men were got together to overpowcr the
elephant. There has never been an instance
j
stranger thout provocation, unless in one Of the
fits of madness TO which they are sometimes SUBJ
jeet Their keepers may take them through the
most dense crowds without the slightest danger 10
the .hrong. If they are inSulted, however, they
will resent il. Last summer, while Van Am
burgh's travelling establishment making a pro-
cession through the streets of Boston, Hibernan
gentleman. street sweeper by profession, amused
himscl: BY thrustinc his broom into Tippoo Saib's
mouth. There whisk of the elephants
trunk and the next instant there astonish ed
Irishman saiIing over the heads of the assembled
multitude. lie was not seriously injured however.
Elephants appear TO have a spite against showmen
and will strike menagerie man whenever they
can get an opportunity. They will sometimes take
a dislike to individuals. While Van AmbuTsh
was travelling in England, there was musician in
the band who was in the habit Of amusing himself
BY placing paper balls in his trombone and blowing
them ut at Bolivar. He was frequently cautioned
in regard to to the habit, but persisted in it. One
Gay Bolivar happened 10 pass the band while this
individual WIS blowing away his trombone, when
without the slightest ceremony he reached into the
yechle with ms trunk. pulled out the unfortunate
musician and hurled him the distance OF twenty
feet, breaking several of his ribs Bolivar then
made 4 charge for him, and would have finished
him speedily, had it not been for the interference
his keeper.
Elephants are inject from physical causes at
times to fits OF MOI osenes-, sometimes increasing to
frenzy, whcnEhevare very dangerous unless proper
~ secured. Then they pay no regard to keeper or
anv one else. II during OF these fits of
ma mess that Hannibal made his celebrated raid be-
tween PIwtucket and F all river in 1854, when he
capped from his keeper and nine miles, destroy
ing everything in his way. These fits can gener-
ALL be forsseen and guarded against. Elephants
do not like tobacco, but the stories told, and gener
ally believed, in regard TO their visiting with dire
vengeance any one who should offer them the weed.
are all stuff Indeed there an elephant here
some years ago, called Poodah, that would eat pa.
per alter paper OF fine with the greatest appar-
ent rrlis.. Generally. however, they eschew il.
But they all ike rum. Every elel liant seems to
have mural taste for whskey any other intox-
icaring drink. Bolivar, when he was in the Tower
of London. and quite small, was made drunk one
DAY on highly sweetened grog, and his antices were
said TO be indescribably comcal. He always was
Irregular toper whenever he could procure the
material. in one occasion, after he had come 10
mature years, he broke into a brewery, ate the
malt. got goriousiy fudded on ale and finished by
smashing things up generally. That spree cost
Mr.. Van Amburgh very heavy sum in the way OF
dam lgcs.
Elephants are exceedingly timid in regard to rats
and mice. rat running through the straw bed
ding of old Hannibal will ciuse that immense
beast to trumpet in the widest terror. They
sometimes Object TO their keeper changing horses.
The keeper, when travelling the road, usually
rides oh horseback. The elephant becomes accus-
toned to the company ola particular horse, and
well conducted elephants have been known turn
upon their keepers when they appeared with a new
mount. They are extremely jealous in regard to
any assumption of authority, or any undue familiar
ity on the part OF any one except the regularly ac
knowledged keeper. This accounts for their antp
athy agaias: showmen. They are very fond o.
flowers. If an elephant gets loose in the night he
10 toleraby sure to make for the incest flower gar
den in the vicinity, and he is certain to leave
unmistakable traces of his visit. Flowersform his
favorite salad. nice orchard of young fruit trees
- great temptation I, an elephant They are all
fond oil slipping their fastenings when il is practi
cable and starting off foraging expedition,
trait which has led to somevery funny occurrences
Queen Anne got loose once in Missouri, and ma
king her way 10 the woods, defed all efforts cap
ture her for several weeks. She finally down
by party on horseback, organized for the pur-
pose When retaken she had become quite wild
and unmanageable, but was soon civilized BY the
usual process.
An ELEPHANT LOVE.
A number OF years ago two menageries were
laid up for the winter in storehouse on the bank
Of the canal at Pittsburg- Here Hannibal for the
FIRST time was thrown into the society Of Queen
Anne. They were tied side by side. and an i'm
mediate attachment sprang up between them. II
was case of love at first sight, for the moment
Queen Anne WAS broght into Hannibal's presence
she ran her trunk into his mouth-the elephantine
style of kissing. All winter long they contin-
uallly caressing each other, and their demonstra-
tons of mutual affection were really extraordinary
In the spring Queen Anne was taken away to start
upon her annual tour. The rage of Hannibal at
this separation was terrifc for eleven days he re-
fused TO touch a morsel Of food, the only noursh-
meht that he received during that time being whs-
Key and water. BY dint of continual swaying or
surg,ng against his fastening he succeeded in
breaking loose on the twelfth dav whom he took
entire possession Of The establishment. The ami.
mails inthe cages were feariully frightened, dashing
against the bars and filing the air with their bowls
and shsieks. Hannibal ragged around the building.
reared on bis hind feet, and endeavored to tear
down the rafters in the roof with his trunk. but
molested none Of The animals. In the meantime
large force OF the men was gathered-steel hook )
attached to long poles were inserted in his ears
and rho ulders. and after great difficulty he was
''hobbled" and caught. when the customary disci-
pne applied with the usual satisfactor ~ result
Queen Anne. who was Of more gentle disposition
lore the separation With exemplary resignation. $