Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-24
A FEROCIOus A


An Elephant that Cannot be Tanned
He Attempts 60 XIII His Keeper
Who fs Rescued by n Female Ele.
plant.
Maysville (Ky.l Bulletin.l
A Bulletin reporter on Monday, while
John Robinson's show was here. OBJ
tanned from the keeper of the African
elephant, Conqueror, the following in.
teresling particulars concerning him.
Conqueror is al unusually large beast
standing ten feet high aud weighing
5000 pounds. BE has a narrow, sloping
head ahd great fan'ike ears, which be
keeps In almost constant motion, especi-
ally when excited or IN one Of his ugly
moods. &c was brought to this country
from Africa about seven years ago, after
having been in captivity but q few
moths. Before landing at New York he
developed q very trescherous disposition,
making lt.dsngerous even for his keeper
to 90 near him. Mr.. Robinson, after every
means had been resorted to to tame the
beast, found it necessary I keep him in
confinement where it was impossible to
injure any one when the violent spirit
was on him. II is q common habit with.
this beast TO suddenly seize stones, or
other articles about him, and fling them
With great violence at persons who may
happen to be near him, aud many have
narrowly escaped serious injury from
this %treaeherous popularity. This
strange action of the elephant attracted
the attention Of the directors of the Gin.
einnati Geological Gardens, where he
was temporarily kept, and they were con.
staptly at their wits end to devise some
plan by which his evil habits could be
corrected, ibut we're obliged to give il up
as hopeless, and insist upon Mr.. Robin.
son removing him, which he did a few
weeks ago. He was sent to Mr.. Robin.
sons establishment TO pay a visit to his
fellow.elephsuts, Chief Bismarck, Mary
and Princess, four of the largest Of thei.
species in America. Shortly after his
introduction among them he made a sud.
den and terocious attack upon Bismarck,
striking him with such violence as to
knock the inoGeusive animal off his feet.
Mary, who had shown a strong attach.
ment for Bismarck, took iu the situation
at q glance, and at once came to the
rescue Of her fsvorite. She snapped the
strong chains that confined her, as
though they were twine, and made a
vicious lunge at Conqueror with her
tusks, striking him just back Of the ear,
throwing him to the ground. He re.
gained his feet instantly, and the combat
was commenced in earnest. BLOW after
blow was given. aud both animals were
seriously hurt. Finally the female ele.
plant, gathering all of her terrible
strength, charged at Conqueror, who, un.
able to resist, gave way and permitted her
to be declared the victor. Mary is a
large Asiatic elephant, and weighs $500
pounds. Conqueror, since the fight, for
fear it should be renewed, has been
loaded down With chains, which makes
it impossible for him to iDjure any Of bis
fellow beasts or persons visiting the cir.
Gus. 1t was Only G few days ego, at
Vanceburg, that be attempted to kill his
keeper, aud would have done 80 had be
been of his guard. On this occasion
Mary, as usual, came to the rescue Of the
keeper, and knocked Conqueror down
three times. he made a similar attempt
TO kill his keeper at the Geological Gar.
den last winter. He was in the process.
sion on the streets of this place on Mon
day, and presented a very singular ap-
pearsnce with his load Of chains. He is
said to be a very valuable animal, in
spite Of his bad habits.