The Jeffersonian. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1853-1911, 1871-07-06
NO. IL.


the Indians from off the elephants back
and led him away. He manifested his
delight at finding himself once more among
his friends by repeatedly caressiDg his keep
er with his trunk His body was found
to be covered with wounds, from which
the blood was flowing in streams Over
100 arrows were found sticking in his
body. Their proceeding was to extract
the arrows (each one as it was drawn from
his flesh caused him to utter piteous
means of pain), and then staunch the flow
OF blood, which being done, he was en-
abled with great difficulty to walk back
to the camp. Amid the confusion it was
impossible to ascertain how he became
loosened from his. place of confinement,
but on examining the chain it was found
to be unlocked, showing that it was
through the agency of some mischievously
inclined person, aud upon strict inquiry
being made it was asscertained that par
ty of young braves, noticing how very
gentle and harmless the elephant was,
concluded to have grand menagerie pro-
cession of their own and while some
were unlocking his chains, FIVE or six
leaped on his back and two more walked
on each side steered him along, and thus
the grand cavalcade started for the In
dian quarter of the town, intending no
doubt to create big sensation among
their brethren, which they certainly did,
though with result far different from
what they anticipated for upon reaching
the first of long row of wigwams he dis
covered to top Of one which had been
covered the day before with the long,
sweet grass Of the prarie, thrust out his
trunk for mouthful, when the whole top
gave way, and out burst the frightened
inmates with terrific screams, soaring the
elephant at the same time
The Indians becoming alarmed for the
safety of the rest Of the wigwams, COM
menced goading him with spears and
knives, while at the same time a hundred
torches were flashed upon the scene, pro-
ducing the very effect they eudeavored
TO prevent, for it not only confused but
blinded the elephant, while the pain and
torture of the knife and arrow wounds
rendered him almost frantic with rage
and terror to such a degree that he rush
ed madly forward, dealing destruction on
all sides and it would be difficult to tell
which party expressed the most satisfac-
tiou in parting from each others society,
Indians or elephant.
Old Emperor was purchased from the
King or Siam, and has been in this coun-
try on exhibition for about thirty years
He is known to the showmeu as being the
best dispositioned elephant in the United
States, never having been known to in
jure any living creature. The Indians,
noticing how docile he was, were not Slow
to take the advantage of his docility and
good nature.
The western Indian is noted for his
thieviDg propensity, but history has no
record Of their ever endeavoring to pilfer
so large an animal before, although their
disposition was good enough to attempt
it. But they have the consolation of
knowing that they are not the first show
men that started out and ''busted up"
Mr.. Robinson Immediately seut for the
chief to endeavor to eonciliate him, and
to remunerate those who bad lost their
dwellings by the unfortunate occurrence.
Upon the arrival of that dignitary he
quickly made known his wishes, when
the chief Immediately replied that the
"father of all animals" as be termed the
elephant, ''was not to blame, but that the
blame rested upon his young men who
had unfastened old Emperor, for which
they were very sorry and hoped Mr.
Robinson would forgive them and now
as no one had been kiled-only very
badly scared-he did not think it right
that the "father of all animals" should be
made to pay anything, although nineteen
wigwams were destroyed.
Old Emperor appears to be particular
ly unfortunate in adventures. Winter be-
fore last, while travelling iu the South,
he had terrific combat with alligators
in Florida swamp, where he succeeded
in saving the white camel that stands by
his side, which at that time was mere
cali; and now comes this last midnight
encounter with the Pottawatomies, from
the wounds of which he will not soon re-
cover.