The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-06-10
borrowing an Elephant. for Fun.

The Kansas City bulletin of the 26th of
MAY bas a tremendously displayed article
under the title Dreadful Occurrence, - from
which we make the following extracts:
The Indian village of Pottawatomie, in
Kansas, was the theatre OF an intensely ex-
citing occurrence on the night of May II.
The menagerie and circus or old John Rob-
inson had exhibited, to the great delight and
astonishment of the untutOred red man.
The astonishment and curiosity were great
when the gigantic proportions OF the eie-
phan. Emperor burst upon their view. Ev-
erything passed off quietly.
About midnight the watchnaE, wishing
to receive some information in regard to
starting iu the morning, stepped over to the
hotel where Mr. Robinson was quartered,
and while engaged in conversation with him
an awful, unearthIy howl resounded through
the halls, followed by series of cries, groans
and screeches such as no mortal ever heard
before. Robinson, quickly comprehending
the matter, ordered every man to come out,
as he was certain that some of the animals
had broken loose. Upon suddenly turning
a corner they beheld a sight they will never
forget. In the foreground was the huge
form Of old Emperor, upon whose back was
percbed half dozen warriors. shouting and
gesliculatng wildly to their brethren below,
while at intervals of half minute hurrid
yell wouid break out upon the night air, fol-
lowed by huge columns Of smoke and dust.
The company. headed by Mr.. Robinson,
rushing up Immediately. scattered the lndl-
ans from off the elephants back and led him
away. His body was found to be covered
with wounds, from which the blood was
flowing in streams. Over one hundred
arrows were found sticking in his body.
thu pocsible tO
ascertain how he became loosened from his
place Of confinement, but upon examining
the chain it vas found unlocked, showing
that it was through the agency Of some mis-
chievously inclined person and upon in
quiry being made. it was ascertaineG that
party Of young braves, noticing how very
gentle and harmless the elephant was, con-
cluded to have grand menageric procession
of their own and while some were unlock
ing his chains, five or six leaped upon his
back and two more walked on each side and
steered him along, and thus the grand cav
alcade started for the Indian quarter of the
town, intending no doubt to create a big
sensation among their brethren, which they
certainly did. though with result far differ
ent from what they anticipated for upon
reaching the first of long row Of wigwams
he discovered the top of one which had been
CUNGISu tIS OdJ DSlOlC "ltll tLO mug SCI
grass of the prairie, thrust out his trunk
for mouthful, when the whole top gave way.
The Indians, becoming alarm ed for the
safety of the rest of their wigwams. com
menced goading him with spears and knives,
while at the same time hundred torches
were flashed upon the scene, producing the
very object they were endeavoriDg to prevent,
for it not only confused but blinded the ele-
phant, while the pain and torture of the
knife and arrow wounds rendered him al
most frantic with rage ard terror to such a
degree that he rushed mady forward, deal
ing destruction on all sides and it would be
difficult to tell which party expressed the
most satisfaction in parting from each others
society, Indians or elephant.
Mr. Robinson Immediately sent for the
chief to endeavor to conciliate him, and to
remunerate those who had lost their dwell
iugs by the unfortunate occurrence. Upon
the arrival of that dignitary, he quickly
made known his wishes, when the chief inn
mediately replied that the father of all the
animals as he termed the elephant, "was
not to blame, but that the blame rested upon
his young men who had unfastened old En-
peror, for which they were very sorry"