The colored Tennessean., 1866-03-31
Conqueriug am Elephant.

After the regular performance at For
paugh's circus and menagerle, Tenth
and CalloWhill streets, on Saturday
night, a novel and exciting scene was
presented to a number of persons who
were allowed to remain in the building.
The fit of madness which has rendered
the great elephant Romeo, now on e1hi-
biti0n with the show, totally unmanagg-
able for week past, has already Deen
noticed in these columns, and also the
attempts of his master, Mr.. Craven, to
pacify the huge beast without resortlng
to extreme violence. This, elephant is
the largest one in this. country, weigh
] ing over five tons, and standing nearly
ten feet high. The inclosure now Occur
pied by Romeo measured about twenty
eight feet~seuare. When signs of i'll
humor first became apparent the beast
was secured by, chains so that he was
kept about midway in the space. In
that position there was no, possibility OF
the elephant doing further damage than
to occasionally raise with his head
girder that sustained several tons
weight. The influence usually exer-
cised over Romeo by Mr.. Craven Is GER
tainlv wonderful, and the ready obedi-l
ence and sagacity of the beast has, per-
haps, never-been surpassed by any
other performing elephant in the United
States. - '-3L%st ''.t - '~'-
!. The first bad treatment to which the
furious Romeo was subjected was the
lstoppage Of his daily food, measure
which, however unpleasant it might be
to the offending beast, was undoubtedly
favorable to the purse of his keeper.
For seven days nothing whatever was
given the elephant to eat or drink, and
he remained upon his feet the whole
time, casting his trunk restlessly about,
while his keen eye flashed the fiery spirit
that governed him. No person dared
venture within his reach without in-
creasing his disposition to be violent.
Anything whatever within the reach
of his trunk was made weapon OF
soffense. and several bricks lying In his
way were taken up and thrown with
great force to the extremity of the build
: ing. Mr.. Craven closely watched his
prisoner during the entire time, and
when escape was threatened, rifle was
brought into use and its contents fired
into his head. During the few days of
trouble no less than dozen loads were
discharged at Romeo, one OF them de-
stroying his right eye, an accident
which greatly distresses MIR. Craven, but
it's result is acceptable, as by no other
means could the life of the favorite lit
tie elephant, J Juliet, have been saved.
After every means which had been
tried to enforce obedience had failed,
Mr.. Craven determined to subdue him
by throwing him from his feet, and about
ten o'clock on Saturday evening the eff
fort was commenced Tackle sufficient
to rig a small sized ship was brought
into use, and made fast to the chains.
bound round the feet of Romeo. and
then attached to heavy stakes driven in
the ground about thirty yards distant.
1t required much trouble TO get the AMI
NAL into the desired position, and to in
timidate Romeo two rifle shots were
fired. one entering his trunk, and the
contents of the other flashed off his side
as if it had struck upon rock. About
fifty men took hold of the ropes attached
to the elephant, and in short time his
feet were so drawn together that few
pulls upon the line at the side, laid Ro-
meo fairly upon the ground. The yells
of the infuriated beast, as he was being
conquered, were terrific, and for a few
moments an unearthly chorus was kept
| mn by the numerous other animals
After being compelled to remain upor
| his side during the night, Romeo wa;
! released, and subsequently, Went through