Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1870-02-24
A Circus "Reminiscences.


Thirty years ago to-day, on the 31st of
December, 1889, the famous rampage of
the elephant Columbus occurred near
New Orleans, and as the only living wit
nesses of the affair are residents of Gin
cinnati at present, we will give short
account of the Elephantine tare:
Raymond & Wabring's Circus and Me-
nagerie which had been showing separ-
ately in the center of Louisiana, were
ordered by the proprietors to rendezvous
at point three miles above Algiers-
which town is directly opposite New Or
leans-on the last day of the year, in or
der that the combination, which was the
largest that ever appeared in the south,
might march into the Crescent city on
New Years day. With one branch OF
the show was the elephant Columbus,
and with the other Hannibal, both OF
whom achieved national fame afterward.
The junction had been formed, and the
procession was nearly in readiness to
move, when unfortunately, the two ele-
plants were brought together, and they
Immediately commenced to test their pu-
gilistic accomplishments. Their keepers
interfered and succeeded in part
ing them, and Hannibal quieted
down, but Columbus was not to be so
easily satisfied. He stood glazing around
for few minutes, and then struck his
keepers horse fear full blow with his
trunk, and followed it up by thrusting
his immense tusks lover six feet long,
through the animals body. The keeper,
William Crum, fell with his horse, and
the elephant next attacked him, picking
him up in his trunk and dashing him
against the ground with such force as to
break half the bones in his body, and
cause instant death. Columbus then
along the line until he reached
the llama cage, which he upset and de-
killing the llama. His next
was to make dive for John
and Arthur Crippen, both of this city,
who were connected with the circus, but
these gentlemen being on horseback, sue
ceeded, although with great trouble and
danger, in escaping. Columbus now
passed the caravan at run, and soon
met drayman driving two mules, both
of whom fell victims to his rage, as also
did the driver, who attempted to escape
by running, but was overtaken. Passing
through Algiers, the elephant soon came
across negro man sitting on fence,
and tore down the fence to get at him,
and then tore him to piecemeaL The
negro was a slave, and Columbus owners
were required to pay $1,000 for killing
him. Further on, about nine miles from
his starting point, the elephant met
Frenchman and party of negroes, whom
he attempted to demorslize also, but here
he met his match, and after combat of
nearly an. hour he gave up and was
chained; having first received three bull
lets from rifle, just below the right eye.
They occasioned no Inconvenience, how
ever, beyond producing running sores,
which lasted until Columbus's death,
which was caused by his falling through
a bridge at North Adams, Mass, in 1854,
and breaking his neck. In his rampage
the elephant killed nearly dozen horses,
mules, cows and calves, for which his
owners were compelled to pay about $20,-
900. The circus and menagerie company
were composed of one hundred and eight
men, of whom but three are known to be
living at present, they being John
Robinson, circusman, and Arthur P. Grip
pen, watchman at the Indianapolis and
Cincinnati depot in this city. and Louis
Lipman, dry goods merchant at Laurel,
Ind, all three of whom witnessed the
disaster, and were compelled to observe
extreme caution to preserve their own
lives. Mr.. Crippen subsequently, had both
his arms broken by Columbus while as
sisting in shipping him in Philadelphia.
- Cincinnati Chronicle.