Urbana union. [volume] (Urbana, Ohio) 1862-1872, 1869-12-15
Taking an Elephant.

The war elephant Romeo - belonging
to Forepaugh's Mcnagerie, and better
known among shOwmen as old Canada >
has been celebrated for years as being
the most vicious vindictiya and danger
Gus elephant in the country. He has
killed, at different periods, three of his
keepers, and has frequently created the
most dire CONSERVATION: besides damaU-
ing property to a considerable value. in
his Surly moods. Il viii be remembered
that TWO years ago this winter he killed
his keeper. Williams, at HatbOrO, Penn
sylVanIa. and remained in frenZipd con-
ditiOn neaTiyth eTftire winter. before he
could be subjected. Since then he has
caused but little trouble, until Monday
last, when he made his quarters. near
COnneTsville, Indiana, the scene Of con-
siderable disquietude and 10 little dam
ger. \ day or two previous the female
elephant "Laiia ROOkh." which ETr.
FOrepaugh had recently purchased at
the Sheriff7s sale Of DR.. Thayer's Circus,
in this city, was placed in the same build
ing with Romeo, but was confined some
distance apart.
During the night she succeeded in
drawing the stake tOWhich she had been
fetteTed; and in the early hours of the
morning, when Mr. George ForeDau@h,
BomeO's keeper, entered the building to
look after his charge he found the two
elephants standing together, and Romeo
evidently much delighted with his new
companion. But MIR. tOTeDaUgh thought
it prudent to mar this newborn pleasure
by returning the female to her DrODar
place.
This was instantly resented by Romeo
by selling his keeper with his trunk and
throwing him violently against the wall
More alarmed than injured, Mr. Fore
paugh fled from the building, and mount
ing his horse sped to the village for as
sistance. The necessary aid was quick
ly summoned, and little army of show
men and villagers returned to the Fair
grounds. where the elephants was con-
fined.
They foundh him in q state Of The great
est fury, and their first reception was q
large piece Of timber which Romeo had
torn from the TafteTs above him, and
which he hurled at them with t0ler9blc
aim and direction, but which. fOrtUnafc-
ly, struck nobody.
He next seized 4 coach dog, which, for
two years, had been his constant com
panIOn, and for which he has always
eVlnced the Warmest attachment, and
uasncu MN lileieSS against Jne roof.
Emding his rage so terrible and his
mood so reVengeiul, It was determined to
subject MIN by hunger, II possible, and
up to Friday last he had not received
particle OF iood or wafer, but which treat
ment mad not the slightest effect III ap-
peas-ng his fury.
1t was then determined to take him."
1t becomes necessary to explain this
term Il, 10 the general reader.
whenever II becomes eNpeGIcnt, from
death, or otherwise, 10 furnish an cle-
phant with 4 new keeper, or an old one
IS Obliged TO BRING nm under subsection,
they take him." as II IS called in show
men $ paHance; IhIS IS done by cOntin-
ing nm beyond the power Of resistance
and Ilen beatlng nm until he tFumpets
forth ms suDJecuOn, and Yields 5ubmis-
SION 10 ms tOFmenJoTs.
IN TINS instance guy stakes were dTiv-
EN- IN the ground, q distance OF about one
hundred feet both IN trontand rearOt the
elephant, ana 10 these ropes We're secure |
" fastened, running JhfouSh lalls and
BLOCKS, ana "hichl by, very adIOIt man
aGement, were attached to the fetters
when encomP9sseo and bound his legs. |
10 accomplish tlls successfully Il was /
necessary l0i one oI the keepers 10 stand /
IN 'front.' OF MN WlCh q gun heavily load |
ad with 3Ird sh0t, ana whenever he offer