The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1872-06-13
Death Of the Elephant KeOmeO--Sketcfs
OF tho Life and Career Of the DistiIl.
guished Beast.


guished Beast.
Chicago on Friday lust was the scene of an
event the occurrence OF which will excite
interest in almost every city, town, or village
in America, being no less than the death of
the celebrated performing elephant "Romeo."
the largest and most valuable of his species
ever brought to this country, and more fl
nous than any who have gone before him.
Witholtan elephant the most extensive ofme-
nagcrics would be regarded rs II total failure,
and in the possession Of "Romeo" Adam
ForcImugh ll;ls for years been cnvied among
showlncn. The animal had been ailing for
several weeks. the disease being located in
his fore feet, which, from some unknown
cause. had become Affected with Inflammation,
resulting IN acute pain and Il general de-
bilitatioa of the system, the effect. of
which had been noticed by q rapid wasting
of flesh. On Tuesday last il was determined
to have an operation performed upon
"Romeo's" feet, and DIR. Boyd, Of the
Chicago Medical College, was entrusted with
the undertaking. An examination developed
the fact that numerous small bones of the
feet had become broken, detached, and deal,
and accordingly these bones. were eat out,
the process being accompanied by the loss Of
several gallons of blood. No danger OH this
account was anticipated, and it is believed
that the death Of the, patient was not
fastened from this cause, rs to an elephant
the loss Of couple buckets of blood would
be about equivalent to IN ordinary attack Of
nose-blced on the part Of one OF the human
kind. 1t was observed that Romeo "
was suffering the most acute pain, and
il also became apparent that the
inflammation was rapidly extending
upward toward the breast. For the first
time in two weeks he laid down on Thurs
day night, his symptoms of distress being so
marked as to convince Alr. Forcpaugh that
he was about to lose the most valuable fea-
ture of his show. Early OH Friday morning
the proprietor visited the menagerie tent and
found "Romeo" lying in the same position,
his colossal tanks heayilig with quick, short
g..sl,s, his eye fixed and iilmy, and the fur
cher extremity OF the trunk cold and pulse
less. The sound Of Mr.. ForepmugRs voice
calling him by name WAS recognized by the
dying nastodon, and he attempted to rinse
his head ~ response TO the touch OF his own
er's hand, but his strength was departed, his
life was cbbing fast, his head dropped back
upon the ground, and after a few weak, con-
yulsiNe struggles he had ceased TO breathe!
and all thai remained OF :. Romeo twas Il.
monstrous heap of inanimate flesh. - -, !.
The circumstance occ:isioned II profound
sensation among the attaches of the show,
who gathered about the spot and sorrowfullYr
surveyed the huge car,zlsc. Aside from the
great financial ilossM-cstimafed ut 80, 000--
he had sustained, Mr.. Forepugii was deeply
moved by tho catastrophe, las he regarded
"Romeo" rs the most valuable elephant in
existence, attributing to him degree of III
telligence almost human. He had made n
| study OF the animals pcculiarities Of DISPOSE
| ton, and had. succeeded in establishing the
most atfetionate relations wit him. tfWhy,s
dash it," said the great Snowman. with q
curious culver Of the Voice and a suspicious
aversion Of the head. ..he knew more than
any trained horse i ever owned. He knew
| he wasn't right these last few weeks; and
when I'll 90 to him and say, - How do you
ret along, old fellow he'd reich 0lit his
trunk un, take my land and ptit..h on
his lorelegs, NJ much az to say, There's
where it hurts me-; can't you Ito some
thing ito help it?'' And then the dis
consolate proprietor went ON 10 enumegslte
j" Rone0's" shining qualities; how he would
| do any conceivable trick in the ringz-stand
ON his forelegs or his hindlegs, turn on
| a pivot. waltz, go lame, kneel down, walk
over. his keepers body, taking the niftst
care not to touch y shred OF his clothing with
his, lDndero,s foot--in short, do anything
which you could possibly think OF asking
| an elephant to do; how, when the Wagons
would get stuck in the mud. old Romeo, Z
with the power of hundred horses would
| get behind and push them along with the
grpatestsof ease bo,s, when he was stllky
and savage, and they h,d thrown him down
upon his side, he would bay there gay 9, OF
two before he would give up, but finally
would weake,,, aud with his pleading eyes
fairly BegIt0 be released so on with 2
volume Of interesting "reminiscences.
Romeo has eventful history. having
killed five keepers since his advent in
America. besides destroying. any number OF
fences. barns, garden patches, eoril-heias,
orchards, etc. He was purchased q 'py go
agent OF j. Mabie,@ fiji Calcutta, about twenty
tives years ago, having been taken from .
briek.yartl, where he was being used IN grind
Ing clay The price paid for, HIM was W.
600 In gold, and he WIS brsnght TO A mefica
along with nine, Others, In 1862, while south
of New Orleans, he Killed klaik kaoNn