Keowee courier. [volume] (Pickens Court House, S.C.) 1849-current, 1871-07-28
From The Kansas City Bulletin.
STEALING AN ELEPHANT.

Stutc Of Kansas, was the theatre of an intense
ly exciting but wholly unavoidable occurrence
on the night of Sunday, HAY 2l. The nam
moth mcnagere and circus Of old Johu Rob
inson, which had exhibited the previous day,
to crowded houses, to the graat delight won
der and astonishmcnt Of the untutored red
man, was the great centre of attraction. The
astonishment and curiosity were great when
the gigantic proportions Of old Emperor burst
upon their view. Everything passed off
qucitly, and on Sunday evening, the weather
to let old Emperor enjoy the luxury of bath
among menageric owners. Accordingly be
tween the hours of and 6 p. NJ, Professor
Buel, the keeper, was directed to bring him
down to the stream. The Indians, to the
number of twenty or thirty, were notice
watching the process Of unfastening the
chains which secured the elephant with the
closest scrutiny, the object Of which will
shortly be seen.
Old Emperor made up his mind to enjoy
himself, and moved on with slow and majes,
tic tread toward the stream seeming to care
for nought but tho commands Of his keeper.
AS he ncarcd tho bank of the river, without
waiting to receive the command, he plunged
boldly in an began disporting himself with
the greatest delight, rolling and plunging
from side to side sucking up great quantities
Of water and blowing it out through his huge
proboscis in great columns, twenty or thirty
feet high, allowing it to fall in showers of
spray upon and all around him, the sight
of which, to the Indians, was truly marvellous
After remaining in the water till dark he was
conducted back to camp and secured for the
night, the crowd in the meantime following
and watching the entire proceedings with the
closest inspection.
AS soon as he was unfettcred and began to
movo, if seemed as if tho tocsin of war had
sounded; from every wigwam, hut and cabin
there swarmed forth, young and old. as strange
and fantistic looking crowd of humanity
as ever was scee before; and it certainly was as
much of a show to the showmen MS it was to
the half naked crowd of savages themselves
The wild and excited shouts of the children :;
the shrill and discordant cries of the squaws,
the deep-toncd gutteral exclamations of the
warriors and braves, created bcdlam of
side of an Indian village.
The Indians slowly disappeared and sought
their wigwams for the night, and the tired
showmen also sought to obtain rest. 1t is
customary with all wellrcgulated menagerle
and circus companies, to employ man as
watchman, and to him is entrusted the busi-
ness of awakening the company in the morn
ing. to be in readiness for breakfa fast, and an
early start on the road, and to his care is also
committed the entire establishment through
the night
About midnight the watchman, wishing to
receive some information in regard to starting
in the morning, stepped over to the hotel
where Nlr. Robinson was quartcrcd, and
while engaged in conversation with him. an
awful, unearthly howl resounded through the
halls of the hotel, followed by series, of groans
and screeohes such as no mortal ever heard
before. In an instant the doors of the differ.
ent rooms we're hurricdly opened by the ter.
rified inmates, windows thrust up, and fright
encd faces looked wildly out.
The women and children uttering pitcous
walls of terror, crouchcd coweringly down
near the men with palc aud frightened coun.
tcnances, crying. "What is it 2" care we
attacked by Indians ?" Will they come
hercT ooh - we shall all be murdered" !"
The scene was enough to make the stoutest
heart quake with fear. Mr.. Robinson, quick.
ly comprehending the matter, sprang from
the room and ordered every man to come out,
as he was certain that some Of the animals
had broken loose. Upon emerging from the
house it was first supposed that the entire
village was on fire, for it was nearly rs light
as day, caused by the vast number Of torches
which were blazing through the cnoamr ment.
The noise and din seeming to grow louder
each instant, and being in the Indian portion
Of the town, they hurridly made their way
thither, and upon suddenly turning corner
they beheld sight they will never forget.
In the foreground was tho huge form of old
Emperor, upon whose back was perched a
half dozen warriors, shouting and gesticula.
tngly to their brethren below, whilst at in.
servals Of half minute horrid yell would
ring out upon the air, followed by huge col.
umns Of smoke and dust, and then could be
heard the shrill trumpcting of tho elephant
as uttered when enragcd or in pain. On
every side lay tho ruins Of the once peaceful
homes of the Indians
AS the showmcn were preparing to rescue
Emperor, crash went his hugo trunk, and an
entire wigwam was seen flying through the
air, while from the clouds of dust and hon ns
OF rubbish could be seen the naked forms of
some half dozen squaws and children regain.
ing consciousness, and darting away through
tho woods with frightful yells Of terror The
soone was awful; the demoniac yclls Of the
savages, the infuriated trumpoting of the clio.
phant, were enough to strike terrer and dis.
may to tho stoutest heart
The company, headed by Mr.. Robinson,
r,,oh;po ,n ndi,ko1u oooftnrod tbo tn