Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1870-04-09
ANEXCITING SCENE.
Elephants and Cameis attacked by AZ
Epofors in Eloyi2n S,rdmD,

The peTe2rinsii0n 0i showmen sfe -.
Sc, With nunerous difficulties while pur-
suing their daily svecations in this our
Southern conutrv, which, wIh the usual
winter rain and heavy rosds, makes II dii-
ficul, for the managers 10 make good The
prouise Of the agents. Such was the
case With John Robinsons Circus and
MenageIe feW days since. While per.
forming in Tslahsssee. Florida, /, wss
mentioned 10 Mr.. J. F. Robinson, Jr.,
tha, he might expect some difficulty in
passing through long and dismal swamp
be,~ cen thai place and Quincy. on sc-
coun, Of the large numter ol sllisa'ors
who infes,ej the ford al this paIticnl'r
locality, and who ere at this season of the
wear very (erocious, and on tie ss,ch for
any unfortunate mule or horse that may
become enisngled IN the numerous roots,
quickssnds and holes which abound al the
ford; but be replied, as the agent hsd al
ready made the arrangements for hIm Ia
90 through. aud 1t vs.. not his nature To
turn back, he had nothing Iei, bu, TO fol-
low, trusting to his previous good fortune
IN ce,jns thus fsr. Dhe result OF his de-
ci.ion. although anticipating some olih
eulty, was isr more serious than la ga
ticipated.
Al three o'clock p. NJ. on Tuesday.
Jan. 25, Professor Louis Houston. who
has charge of the animals, started with
the Elephant Empress, the large BactrIsn
camel. the beautiful Aisbrisn white cam
el, fine thoroughbred mare and coi'.and
two spotted coach dogs, Ia make the ir'P
TO Quincy. sllhough repeatedly wsrae!
by MIR. J. Robinson, Jr. not {" 81
tempt the passage of the swamp IN any
other than day hight lie. howe,et,Nent
through. Before approaching the inTr,
an occasional below or roar WAS heard.
bslokening that the iuhab'anis oI the To-
caty had MOI relirsd for the night, and
sudden plunge and splash IN the water
would denote that the enemy ~as on the
alert for mischief The elephant would.
every .ew steps. throw her trunk slnh.
emitting al the ssme iIme loud screech
OF defiance, The csmels altering low
means. while the horses slmosi refused TO
stir, and slood ucmhling With fear, While
the dogs KEEP, up an incesssn' bowling
Approaching tho water at the lord. H"u'-
ton determined upon the immediate pas
sage through before the alI'gIlors had
,ime to summon their crow.
Bidding lhe el phsnI enter,.hr sIrPpcd
boldly in and at The same time lashing th"
wafer iurlou.ly with her trunk; he csh-
,l., hor.ss and dogs followed close in the
rear. lie had passed Two thirds OF tie
wy. when sharp yelp { pain from one
Of tie dog, and The .udden dI.sppc,r,nr"
denoted that The swamp hends "tfc ri
work. and before he could collect hi'
thoughts tie other dog wen, under wi,h
long death howl ito now began Ia
think OF his own safety. aud calling Ia
the elephant. commanded her tO turn As
she did so fearful Ioar wa. heard hom
the large Bsclrisn camel, who hac si that
instant been suscksd.
The water seemed alive With sllIgslors.
The roaring. believing and screeching of
elephant. cauels and sllIgainrs were tor.
rife. They would throw their ponder.
Gus ia as or en- and tear hug, pieces of
hesb from the camel. vhle IN. poor
cruie would Utter heart resdenng gr"sns
and c,ie, for relief. ln the meantime the
elsphAnt was not IDLE. Ever solicillous
for the welfare Of her keeper and com
psnioE,, she had al the moment OF seem,
them safely lsnted upon the opposite
shore, rushed back 10 tho assistance 81
her friend, tie camel, who by tins umS
was nearly gone, and by creating the
greatest furors among her ssssiIsnls. 'uc.
reedeG in bringing the head Of the camel
TO the shore, that portion being oil that
remsined Of the poor animal.
Ia the confusion that ensued. Houston
did not miss The colt Until warned by q
shrill scream or neigh. which seemed TO
cGme from several rods below. Upon
rushing down the sresm few yards. .
terrible scene was presen,td 10 HE view.
| II would seem lhs, The deniZens OF Chat
shoochee swamp for miles around had be.
come cOgniz nj Of some exts attraction
st ibs, particular point on ihIs night snd
had started for ,his RENDEZVOUS, and upon
! reaching tie scene OF sction had uneI-
pectedly encountered both food end op-
! rosition ., the same tim6-for rimuIisne-
ous with the meeting Of the colt hey met
lheir pu:surers. and sn swfUl bs,iIe en-
sued. Several times IL seemed ssn tho
colt would escape and rrgsln the shore so
busy were the sIlissio,s IN Destroying
each Other; bot just before The poor cres.
lure ould reach the land, some monster
more ravenous that brave. would leave
the melee, tursus and drag IL back into
tie deep water. until IL finally became ex.
hsu,ied snd fell sp easy prev 10 The fear
! fol reptiles. while Professor Houston
.iood looking on with blsnched sod terri.
fed locke. wholly unsble TO render Ibe
least ss,isisnce, threatened with sieUibls
death should he even attempt u. AZ he
! turned 10 retrsce his steps iowsrds Tho
| place where he left the remsining animals
! he counted the cost He had made tie
passage, but al s terrible sacrifice. lie
came out With an elephant. one csmeI and
one horse. The camel vas valued s
| IS 900. aid very rsre.
The colt, Mr.. RotinsoD had repss,edIy
refused 81. 900 IoL II will be many ..
long year before Houston will fcrasi the
horrors Of pas,ing through Florida
swamp st piehL-Foyf Gninss Iryor.
Amanc tha nsssenos,s al ho ..,i.1 f,oa.