Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1874-06-27
AN AWFUL DEATH srRUGaLR.

sltion appr0acheu inc ianuuiS az '"'
beautiful village OF Wyandotte, situated
on the bank of the Ohio river, Western
| Virginia, an unusual commotion was
observed TO take place on board the
flagship Erie No. 9. Men, women and
children were wildly running to and
fro, frantieally shouting TO the other
steamers, while at the same tine there
arose series Of shrieks, screcches, yeils
and howls, as if all the inmates OF pan
demonium were being let loose.
The good people on shore were una.
bic to make out the meaning and
strange behavior of those on the steam
| ers, but, surmising that everything was
not right among the animals in the me.
nagerie, they very quickly concluded
that the open leyee was no place for
them, should any of the furious mon
sters make their way to land,and quick
ly fled TO their homes In the mean
time Commodore John +. Robinson
hoisted signals OF distress, which were
quickly responded to by the steamer
Champion, Captain q. y. Robinson,
also the steamer Argosy, Captain James
Robinson, who ranged alongside the
Erie, and were informed that an awful
battle was raging between, the huge
double-horned rhipoceros, and the mon'
ster war elephant, Old Emperor Tho
ladies and children were quickly trans
ferred TO the steamers Champion aud
Arrosy. aud when the entire crews oi
the three steamers armed themselves
AID went below ia endcayor 10 separate
the combatanis.
As they reached that portion Of the
main deck Just oifthe boilers a horribly
sickening sight met their view. Woun-
ded, bleeding and horribly laeeraied
men were lying where they had been
stricken down by tho terrible bruieS;
dead, wounded ald dying horses AMI
ponies strcwed the deck ia every dircc-
ton; cages destroyed and literally
smashed into fragments were scattered
among the dead, wounded and dying.
and the terrible din, slrieks, grants AMI
groans plainly told them that the battle
was still iiercely raging. \ total de
struction of almost every cage on the
boat seemed imminent All efforts
proved una, ailing TO separate the say
age denizens OF the forest. AT Tins
iunctuIe a loud crash was heard and
the two cages containing the monster
sea lions and the beautiful Labrador
seals were driven overheard rs though
they bad been mere toy wagons for
children.
The veteran showmn was ~ coel
and collected as it was possible for n
man TO be under those circumstances
when his property was going To des
trnction every moment by thousands Of
dollars. Not so, however, with Man
aver John +. Robinson, Jr., for whea
he saw his favoriics, sea lions and seals,
being dashed overheard without mercy.
he said, "Boys, ] can't slani this any
longer and we might as well attempt
TO Kill these brutes before they ruin cy-
eLy cage on..the boat He then gayo
orders to fire upon them, and heavy
yolley was discharged, which had no
more effect on the now thoroughly
aroused and frightened monsters than
to cause them 10 fight with more fury
than before. The situation was getting
each moment more dangerous for all on
board and the proprietors were in de
spair VI all hope, when it occurred 10
Manager John r. Robinson 10 open the
steam pipes and delugs them with steam
and no sooner thought off than put into
execution.
The engineer quickly turned 6pon
the steam, and as it suddenly escaped
from the boilers with q terrific roar, q
shrill ,ruinpeting shrek was heard from
the elephant, such rs they always utter
in crying for mercy when conquered IN
in their native wilds. Whether tho
animal had received its death blow
from the rhinoceros or was frightened
into submission by the steam cOaId not
be ascertained until il had cleared away,
which il did in few moments, disclos-
ing 10 the astonished gaze of the show
man curious and at the same time q
gratifying sight. There lay the huge
elephant npon the deck, covering trem-
bling down, uttering moans oil pain and
fright while little beyond was tho
rhinoceros snugly pnsconced in liiscage,
quaking and shiyering with fear, where
he had retreated the instant the steam
was opened upon him. The attendants
sprung quickly forward, and closed and
bolted the door Of bis cage. and sccur-
ing themselves from further molesiation
from him.
Heavy chains were fastened around
the elephant, and he was firmly bound
down TO the deck, and then their attcn-
ton was turned 10 the wounded aud
dying. One poor fellow was found
horribly mutilated, lying under the
debris of broken cage, with both legB
broken and his skull fractured. He is
in very dangerous condition. ADoth-
er was found with fracture caused by
flying splinter from one Of the broken
cages; two more had each an arm bro
ken, and another is suffering from Sc
we're internal injuries. Mr.. Robinson
drew long breath Of relief when. ho
found none Of bis men were killed Out
right, for lie had expected nothing Icss
than the death Of some OF his most
faithful employees, well knowing that
they would protect his property at tho
risk OF their lives
Five horses were found killed, as also
IL