Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1870-01-08
Freaks Of an Elephant.
ROMEO ON THE RAMPAGE,

We take The following from the Gin
cinnsli Commercial: l|.t gfI
The warsf!ephant Romeo, belonging to
Forepaugh's MensgerIe, and better known
among showmanas as Old Canada, has been
celebrated tor years as being the most. vi
cious, yinJictiye snd1dangetoUs elephant
in, The country. He has killed; at differ.
ent periods, tiuee of his keepers, and has
frequently created the mott dire oonstsr.
nation, besides dam aging property 10 con-
siderable value III his .surly moods II
will be remembered that two years ago
this winter. he killed his keeper, Viii.
liams. al Marlboro, Pennsylvania, and re-
NAMED in frenzied condition nearly the
entire winter, before he.could be sub jecled.
Since then lie has csus ed but little tIou-
ole, until Mondse last, when lie IN sde his
quarters, near Connursviile, Indians the
scene OF dlsquletude and no little danger.
A day or two since the female ele plant,
Ialla Rookb which Mr.. FO.epaugh re-
Gently purchased 1T ihe Sheriff 5 sale Of
DR.. Thayer' circus, in this city, was
placed in the same building with Romeo,
but was confined some distance apart. 3
During the nigh, she sucreeded in
drawing the stake to which she had been
feltered, and early in the hours OF the
morning. when NJ. George Forcpsugh,
Romeo's keeper, entered the building TO
look after his charge, he found the two
eleph standing together, and Romeo
evidently much delighted with his new
companion. Bur Mr.. Forepsugh thought
it prudentlO mar this new born pleasure
by returning the female 10 her proper
place. This was instantly resented by
Romeo ty throwing him violently from
him against Tie wall. More alarmed Than
it ju,ed. Mr.. Forepaugh fed from the
building, aid mounting his horse, sped 10
the ,ilsge for assistance. The necessary
sid was quickIy summoned, and little
army Of sh6@men and vHlsgers returned
10 the fair grounds. where the elephant
was confined. They found him ia stale
of he greatest fury; and their first recep-
ton was large piece of iitnber, which
Romeo had torn from The rafiers above
him, and hch he hurled OF them with
tJlersble aim AMI direction, but which,
iuiiunstt ~, struck no body. ' ..'7.H
G. lie rexrseiz.d . coach-dog. which for
two yea had heen his constant compan.
ion, and for hich he has always evlnced
lhe warnesi attachments, and dashed him,
lifeless, against the roof. -h -"
Finding his rage go terrible, and his
mo@t so IeycneefJT, il was determined 10
subject him by lhnger, il possible. and
uplIn las Friday lie had not received a
particle Of food W " ater, bot which irest-
ment had not lie slightest effect IN sp-
peasing his fury. t'''
81 was iifen determined TO ''tsks" him
" becomes necessary to explain This
term 10 the eeneralreader. 10 '.'' ''..s.
Whenever II becomes expedient, from
death, or othetwise, 10 furnish an ele
pSan fWi'h NJ W Keeper, or an Oh one 10
Obliged TO bring him under sutjeeiiob,
they lake HIM" as itis called in shew-
uieh's pSiance. !" This is-dohe by con66-
ing linn beyond die power Of resi.'snre,
and tlien beating him until be nunpets
forth lds submission 10 ti. tofmen,ors. '-
: In iA sias,shee guy stakes were driven
IN the ground, distance OF about one
hundred fee, bdthin front and rear Of the
elephant. and ,slhe:e ropes were secure
'ly fss,shcd,' funniHg rhrough" falls and
blocks, and wiich.by very adroit manage
ment. we're sitschsd TO the letters which
ercon pss sed and bound his Ieg..
To accomplishing successfully il was
necessary for one OF the keepers 10
stand in front Of him with sgun bessily
loaded with bird shoi, and whenever he
Offered 10 sIrke al those who were lsstsh-
ing the ropes 10 bis letters, charge was
fred int1 his trunk, causing him to roar
with rage and pain, but 10 desisl IRON OF
fensire demonstrations. When every
hing was ready, the monsters legs were
drawn from under him by he men atihe
ropes, and be was brought 10 a recumbeni
position. lying broad.ide on the ground.
His legs were then brougb, joge,bet sud
bound similar to tia, OF a calf ieiaered
for the market. and then the work Of
suhIecilon commenced iD earnest. HIS
Keeper. The only man who was allowed 10
uiler a word. advanced. and driving the
elephant spear deepiu bis fsnks, com