Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1871-06-15
III isfeIIaMeaMa.
STEALING AN ELEPHANT,

W
atomic, situated on the Neosho river. II
the State of Kansas, was the theatre o
an intensely exciting but wholly unavoid-
able occurrence OF the night of Sunday
May q. The mammoth menagerie anc
circus of old John Robinson, which hac
exhibited the previous day, to crowded
houses, to the great delight, wonder ant
establishment of the untutored red man
was the great centre of attraction. The
astonishmcnt and curiosity were grea
when the gigantic proportions of old En-
peror burst upon their view. Everything
passed off quietly, and on Sunday even.
ing, the weather and water being warm
Robinson determined to let old Emperor
enjoy the luxury of a bath in the river
which is very frequent custom among
menagerie owners. Accordingly, between
the hours of and ?. NJ, Prof. Buel,
the keeper, was directed to bring him
down to the stream. The Indians to the
number Of twenty Or thirty, were noticed
watching the process of christening 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 en-
joy himself, and moved on with slow and
majestic tread toward the stream, seem in
to care for nought but the commands Of
his keeper. AS he neared the bank Of
the river, without waiting to receive the
command, he plunged boldly in and be-
gan dlsporting 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 be was unfettered and began
to move, it seemed as if the soesin of war
had sounded from every wigwam, hut
and cabin they swarmed forth, young
and cid. as strange and fantastic looking
a crowd Of humanity as ever vas seer
before and it was certainly as much of a
show to the showmen as it was to the
ha!fnaked crowds of savages themselves.
The wild and excited shouts of the chill
dren; the shrill and discordant cries of
the squaws, the deep toned gutteral excla-
nations of the warriors sRd braves, crea-
ted bodlam of sounds which never was
nor can be heard outside of an Indian
village.
The Indians slowly disappeared and
sought their wigwams for the night, aud
the tired showmen also sought to obtain
rest. It is customary with all well-regu la.
ted menagerie and circus companies, to
employ man as Waterman, and to him
is intrusted the business of awakening
the company in the morning, to be in
readiness for breakfast, and an early start
on the road, and to his care is also CON-
mitted the entire esta blisament through
the night.
About midnight the Waterman, wish
ing to receive some information in regard
to starting in the morning, stepped over
to the hotel where Mr.. Robinson was
quartered, and. while engaged in CONVEX
sation with him, an awful, uuearthly
howl resounded through the halls of the
hotel, followed By series of cries, groans
and screeches such as no mortal ever
heard before. In an instant the doors of
the different rooms were hurriedly opened
by the terrified inmates, windows thrust
up, and frightened faces looked wildly out.
The women and children uttering
piteous walls ofterror, crouched covering
ly down near the men with pale and
frightened countenances, crying, "What
is it p "Are We attacked by Indians 2"
"Will they come here 2" Oh, we shall all
be murdered" The scene was enough to
make the stoutest heart quake with fear.
Mr.. Robinson, quickly compromising
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 at first supposed that the
entire village was on fire. for it was near
ly as light as day, caused by the vast
number Of torches which were blazing
through the encampment.
The noise and din seeming to grow
louder each instant. and being in the
Indian portion Of the town. they hurried
ly made their way thither, and upon
suddenly turning coruer they beheld a
sight they will never forget. In the
foreground was the huge form of old
Emperor, upon whose back was perched
half dozen warriors, shouting and ges-
ticulating wildlyto their brethren below,
whilst at intervals of halfa minute horrid
yell would ring out upon the night air,
followed by huge columns of smoke and
dust, and then could be heard the shrill
trumpeting of the elephant as uttered
when enraged or in pain. On every side
lay the ruins Of the once peaceful homes
of the Indians.
As the showmen were preparing to re-
scue Emperor, crash went his huge trunk
and an entire wigwam was seen flying
through the air, while from the clouds of
dust and hsaps of rubbish could be seen
the naked forms of some half dozen squaws
and children regainiDg consciousness, and