The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1872-08-22
From the Chicago Times

bited In the Town of Red Bud, ILL.,, on Satur-
day, August 10, q scene not pictured upon the
bulletin boards or laid down III The programme
occurred. For some dime past an effort mas
been made to Introduce the big GO0O-pound
rhinoceros into the ring, and perform hlm ID
the circus department. % an additional feature
to their elegant arenc entertainment. some
DAYS previous they succeeded In fastening q
ring into the brute's nose which Is spoken OF
tn that useful ancient history as the ''animal
that drinketh up river, &c, oy Whicn
light wire cord or cable could be attacneo,
and it was expected that the movements OF
the ''Behemoth or unicorn OF Holy Writ,
might be governed and educated up to the pro-
per standard and taught to- do ''anythiDg 10
beat Grant, Now 1t seemed that this was not
a Greeley rhinoceros, and he did not take well
to the new departure when he was led forth
Into the arena from his huge den, although at
first submitting quietly, which caused manager
Warner to chuckle over what he thought
would be an easy Victory. Two wire ropes
were fastened 10 the ring In Mr.. Rhinoceros's
nose, and twenty-four stalwart canyasmen and
drivers to each cord was deemed sufficient 10
fully control the brute aud hold hun steady.
They, however, had reckOned without their
host, and the moment he reached The saW-
dust arena he threw up his snout and stopped,
evidently making up his mind, ike George
Francis TraiD, 10 "smash rings and break
things" generally and particularly. One
grunf, and he started, pluDging and lung
ing 9sthis way and that way, until the
earth fairly -shnok under hls feet, con-
vincing the neighoorhood sceptics that the
anticipated aud much-dreaaed comet had
arrived torty-eight hours In advance
OF the advertised time. me bystanders, OF
which there we're many, becoming alarmed,
hurried TO the topmost of the seats, expecting
to be safe from the animals fury, little imagln.
ing that this monster with one lnnge OF his
pondprous body could tOpple over the tower
inG seats which looked 80 atrong and secure.
The men shouted and yelled at him, which
only seemed to increase the excited brute's
madnessi alarm the balance OF tile animals,
birds and monkeys, until there arose such
din of howls screams and gatherings that
one would suppose that the entire menagerie
had been let loose. Even the big elephant
Empress sounded her trumpet, and curled
her trunk over her head, evidently preparing
Ior the approaching conflict. The rhinoceros
flaally escaped, the ring tearing out from his
nose and he rushed forward, conquer
log aud to conquer. AS he broke
away he tramped on John Gilen. canvas
man. crushing his breast In and killing him
Instantly, then run his snOut or nose against
Martin Ready, another canvasman, striking
him In the stomach, ripping his entire intes-
tines out, and killing him almost Instantly
then moving In the direction OF the seats he
dislocaLing the shoulder OF ErasLus Mead, boss
canvasman, and breaking the arm OF Shadrack
Russell, aud also severely brulslng several
othsrs.' Then running into the menagerie
tent he upset Forepaugh'a den of performing
amin ala, which, In going over struck Fore
pa,igh, cutting a severe cash iu his head.
Then the trouble seemed to have commenced.
Mr. Rhinoceros made carom on the centre
pole, and down 1t went with crash, knocking
In the top of the Bengal tiger and leopards
CAGE but not enough TO enable them 10 es-
cane. although the excitement was doubled by
the cry that the lions and tigers were loose,
and general stampede followed. The
elephant seemed 10 be the next object OF
attack, and the rhinoceros rushed or
the big Empress, who seemed to have made
ready for the charge. He stopped suddenly
as if to say the elephant was too many
for.him, and that he would omit that part of
the contract. Then taking fresh courage he
ran into the museum tent, knocking the wax
siatuary OF Jim Fisk, Jr.. Stokes and the
time, and sent the representation of the
Last Supper" 10 grass, upset three cages Of
curioslLies, and then left The museum tent,
apparently In disgust, carrying with him sew
eral hundred yards OF canvas which comprised
the wall or sides of the museum tent He
a vacant building, about one block from The
grounds, the door of which fortunately was
off its hinges, and where he was finally Sc
cured, his cage backed up to the opening,
and forced to return to the narrow limits OF
his Iron-bound carriage. Warner says that he
Is ready to let the job OF training the rhinoce-
ros for the circus to somebody that has not
go much experience;as he has got and that a
performing rhinOceros will not be one of the
features of his show this season. The damage
done the show was about three thousand
dollars.