Connecticut western news., 1871-10-13
O,Brien's Elephont Let Loose.

The large elephant, named Mogul, con- nected with O'Brien's mcnagerie, which recently went on rampage at DaDielson- vile, has been doing 50 again in Meriden. At the close of the afternoon performance, on Thursday, he made his way through the tent, overturned large wagon, driving his tusks through it and scattering the pieces around very promiscuously. The Meriden Repu6Eic0n says:- -..-
 t'Other wagons he smashed, crushing the wheels and twisting the tongues off as though they had been little twigs. Three large and valuable baggage wagons were thus torn to pieces in 8 few minutes. One of these he drove through the side of Robert Oughton's barn, crushing in the side as though it had been an egg shell. He then went for large mule, drove both tusks through the animal, piercing him to the heart. The poor mule was killed-lnstant- ly, of course. He then showed him along the ground, occasionally varying the per formance by tossing the body into the air. Piles of lumber near by Crossley's wagon shop next claimed his attention the boards and timbers went spinning through the air and now lie scattered in every direction. Meanwhile his keeper and the employees commenced to shoot at him with revolvers and shot guns, careful not to strike him in any vital part The shot made no impres- sion upon him; the balls would produce a slight scringing, something like that pro- duced upon school boy when his ears are snapped. We counted, on the beasts neck, the size of our two hands where ten balls had struck. He then took to the street, and the manager had hopes of getting him out of the city, where he would get quiet He did proceed quietly for little distance 1 in company with the female elephant, which all of the time remained quiet and perfectly tractable, but finally broke again into the orchard on the Deacon Camp place. Here they placed chains about hls legs and fastened him partially to large apble tree, the trunk of which was more than foot through, The brute was here l in a terrible state of excitement; he stripped off the branches with his trunk and tusks as one would strip leaves from q twig. One of the tusks was broken off close to his head. Ropes and chains were thrown around him and the tree, and an effort made to cast him. This did not suc ceed. It was exceedingly dangerous to come near him all of this time, as he would swing that proboscis rather 'promiscuously, At last he placed his head against the tree and tore it up by the roots. He remained in this condition for some time. Finally he was chained to another tree and guard stationed about him.
 This was the situation about 12 o'clock at night, when the keepers were left guard ing him. At one o'clock gang of roughs came to the grounds and dodged around among the trees, throwing missiles at the elephant to enrage him. At four o'clock there were fifty or more tormenting Mogul, but the police soon put stop to this. At five o'clock, the Recorder says:
 ssA movement was made to throw him on his side. He was chained by his fore feet Tackle and chain were adjusted to his hind feet, but it slipped off, the rope breaking three times. Additional help was obtained, upwards of hundred men pull ling at the ropes, but Mogul still resisted and drew the whole crowd with him several feet Finally his two fore feet were se- curely fastened to large tree, the crown took hold of the ropes and tackle hitched to his hind legs, thus getting tremendous, purchase, and brought him majestically on to his knees, when he was thrown upon his side. in which position he has lain all day. This being done, pitchforks were thrust into him at vulnerable points-such as one eye, put out twoyears since-into his probascis and ears; at the same time beating him fearfully with rails and poles. But thus far to no purpose, as his spunk still holds good. When he is fully con- quered he will signify it by a peculiar long whistle. The elephant was caught by Ma jor Cooley, and shipped from England to Philadelphia about three years ago, since which time he has been in possession of MT. O'Brien, who paid $19,ooo and has been offered $50, 900 for him. His weight is five and 8 half tons, is fifty years old, consumes three or four bushels of oats in a day and from two to three hundred weight of hay. Mogul has never given his pro- prietors trouble before, excepting at Dan-
 elsonville the other day, where he was frightened, it is thought by thunder storm