The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1869-12-11
Taking, M ELEPHANT.

The war elephant d" Romeo" belonging
10 Forepaugh's menagerie, and better
Known among showmen rs ''Old Canada
las been celebrated for years as being the
most vicious, vindictive, and dangerous,
elephant in the country. He has killed, ut
different periods, three OF his keepers, ana
has frequently created the most dire con-
stcrnation, besides damaging property to a
considerable value, in his Surly MOODS. IL
will be remembered that two years ago this
winter he killed his keeper (Nilllams) at
liatboro', Pa, and remained in q tren-
lied condition nearly the entire winter be-
tore he could be subjected. Since then he
has caused but little trouble until Monday
last. when he made his quarters, neal. Con-
ncrSville, Ind, the scene OF considerable
disquietude and no little danger. n day or
two previous the female elephant " Lalla
Rookh," which Mr.. Forepaugh had re-
Gently purchased at the sherih's sale of DR..
rhayers circus, in this city, was placed in
the same building with Romeo, but was
confined some distance apart.
During the night she succeeded IN draw
ing the stake to which she had been tetter-
cd, and in the early hours OF the morning,
when Mr. George Forepaugh, Romeo'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 Mr.. Forepaugh thought it prudent to
mar this newborn pleasure by returning
the female to her proper place. This was
instantly resented by Romeo by Selling his
keeper with his trunk and throwing him
Violently from him against the wall. More
alarmed than injured, Mr.. Forepaugh fled
from the building, and, mounting his horse,
sped TO the village for assistance.
The necessary aid was quickly summoned,
Ia CHI
returned to the Fair Grounds, where the
elephant was confined. They found him in
Il state OF the greatest fury, and their hrst
reception was large piece of timber which
Romeo had torn from the rafters above hun,
and which he hurled at them with tolerable
aim and direction, but which, fortunately,
struck nobody.
He next seized O coach-dog. which for two
years had been his constant companion, and
for which he has always evinced the warm
est attachment, and dashed him, ifeless,
against the roof.
Finding his rage so terrible and his mood
30 rcvengetul, it was determined to subject
him BY hunger if possible, and up to Fri
day last he had not received particle Of
food or water; but this treatment had
not the slightest effect in appeasing his
fury.
IL was then determined to "take" him,
u becomes necessary to explain this term
10 the general reader.
Whenever, it becomes expedient, from
aeath or otherwise, TO furnish an elephant
WIN new keeper, or an old one Is OBLIGED
10 bring him under subsection, they " lake
I NM. as it is called in showmen's parlance.
D Inns Is done by contining him beyond the
y power OF resistance, and then beating him
uhtli ne trumpets forth his subsection and
ylelds submission to his tormentors,
IA This instance guy stakes were driven
III tle ground, distance Of about one hun.
areh feel both IN front and rear of the ele-
plant, and to these ropes were secnrely
fastened, running through falls and blocks.
ana which, by very adroit management,