The Portland daily press., 1883-04-07
suBpUED ONLY BY DEATH.
Barnum's Vicious Elephant Killed by His
Owners.

this side Of the water, terminated bis earthly
career early Thursday morning after an exhi-
bition Of stubborn viciousness which indicated
to his owners that It would not be safe to re-
tain him longer among their employees, or to
exhibit him to their patrons. Pilot made as
bad record for himself as an elephant often
attains. He was an Asiatic by birth, native
OF Ceylon, and about 80 years of age. Ten of
these he had spent in captivity, and during all
this time his keepers never dared trust him a
moment He had no regard for religion CT
morals; he played marbles on Sunday in his
youth and drank beer in his maturity, and in
every way has made a horrible example Of
himself for little pacbyderms who read ele-
phantine Sunday school books TO profit by
Hiss first appearance before the public was in
Cross Menagerie in London, when all the
employees of the institution stood in deadly
fear Of his temper. He wound up his career
in England, in 1877, by killing his keeper,
whom he dashed to the floor with his trunk
and trampled into an unrecognizabIe and
shapeless mass in the elephants quarter Of the
menagerie. After this fatal escapade be was
chained to the ground, in which position he
was offered for sale and purchased by Barnum.
Then the beast was secured 80 that he could
scarcely move, preparatory to shipment, and so
great was the terror which he was held By the
hardened menagerie employees that men could
hardly be obtained to assist in the operation Of
dragging him TO the vessel. His trunk was
chained under his belly, his legs were fastened
so that he could only move them two or three
inches at time, and in this way he was taken
"a aul lror. 4y.ox
Pilot did not reform when be reached
America. On the contrary his wickedness
grew with his growth and strengthened with
his strength. One keeper after another soon
gave Tim up as hopeless case and refused to
have anything to with him, until finally Will
liam Newman took the savage brute in charge
and managed TO obtain the mastery over him.
Before he was taken in charge By Newman he
had injured several Of his keepers. had killed
few dogs who ventured within his reach
and had attacked and hurt several others Of
his own species. Last winter he became saw
age in the winter quarters of the menagerie AT
Bridgeport, broke loose and made havoc
among the other animals, and was only sub
dued after great difficulty. While the circus
was performing in Madison Square Garden
last spring he struck keeper named Morgan,
who passed within reach of his trunk and
knocked him senseless. Then the ugly brute
reached for the unconscious man with his
trunk, drew him craftily inside his rope, and
was about to trampie him as he had done his
London trainer, when Col. ATstingstall came
into the stable just in time to save the mans
life. Since then the employees of the show
have lived in constant dread OF the animal,
and il was usual thing on the road, when
Pilot showed any signs of temper, for all to
bolt but Newman, who has always been able
to subdue him.
For the last week Pilot had been in a vici-
Gus mood, and Gypsy was kept with him in
order 10 keep him quiet. On Wednesday
morning he suddenly attacked the elephant
Albert, without warning, and knocked him TO
the ground as they were being led to water
Newman secured him after a struggle. and
had chained himIin his place, when the big
brute turned on him and gave him grip with
his trunk which almost squeezed the breath
out of him, following up his attack by knock
ing several teeth out OF his trainers mouth,
almost breaking his Jaw, and stunning him
completely. Fortunately, Newman fell out o.
the animals reach, and as the beast was chain
ed he was unable TO follow up the attack,
though he strained at bis chain and beloved
fiercely in his efforts to reach the prcstrate
man. This outbreak was too serious to be
passed over lightly, and Pilot was set apart for
punishment. Visitors at the show were kept
at distance from him, and he was chained
apart from the other elephants. All day the
fit OF viciousness was upon him, and he stood
swaying from side TO side with his malicious
little eyes glaring vengeance at every one who
approached him. Occasionally he would at
tempt to pull up the iron stake 70 which be was
attached by leaning back upon his launches
and then making rush to the end of his chain.
He tore down three 16-inch posts which were
within his reach, battered down a chimney,
and attempted TO beat in the brick walls of
Madison Square Garden, and his angry below
ings were heard for many blocks around. He
manifested particular spite against Newman
and with frightful screams ATTEMPTED TO get at
him whenever he came in sight.
After the show closed on Wednesday night
prepa rations were made for the subjugation of
the beast. Elephants are brought to terms
when they manifest vicionsness by being
thrown and thrashed until they squeal. When
an elephant squeals he is subdued and will
give no further trouble for the time being after
he is let up. Sometimes they will undergo
fearful punishment before thus crying enough,
and in severe cases it has been necessary 10
burn them with red hot irons, as keeper is
well aware that to let an elephant up before he
Is subdued would be apt to result fatally to
somebody, Pilot was chained With his head
to the wall and he made desperate struggle
before being thrown. Fritz and Gipsy were
crowded close up on either side, so that he
| could not turn 70 use his trunk, and attempts
! were made to get moose around his fore feet
| But as often as the rope was put on his feet he
would reach down with his trunk and tear IL
away. The keepers of the twenty other ele
plants each took up his station by the side of
his particular charge to soothe them, lest P-
lots believing should start them into panic
The unruy elephat resisted all efforts to throw
| him for three hours, and at last rope was got
around his trunk and over his tusks and anoth-
er put about his fore feet. A score of men
pulled on each rope, getting purchase around
beam, and finally, after desperate struggle,
the huge beast was thrown to the ground,
screaming with rage, with crash that shook
the building. Although he was overcome he
refused TO give in and underwent his punish-
ment with savage snorts
"He is a hopeless case" said MIR. Bailey,
| land it is really dangerous 10 keep him about
| any longer. You had better kill him."
| Accordingly, Col. Arstingstall procured a
| large navy revolver, carrying a 4S.calihre ball
| He approached the head OF an elephant, which
was secured to a stanchion, and the beast made
| desperate and savage attempt TO break loose
and reach him. Arstingstall placed the muz-
zle of tho revolver close 10 Pilots breast, be-
tween the front legs, and pulled the trigger.
| The brute never fiinohed. Then Col. Arting-
J stall shot him again in the same place, and
again under the left eve, and Pilot died with
out any further struggle, and his bright split
| fled. The other elephants maintained their
| usual composure, with the exception lof Gypsy
| who had been Pilots companion for several
| years. She refused TO be comforted, and ate
| nothing ali day sand her grief was really ma
| thetic when 'home they brought her warrior
dead"
| Pilots great carcass was dissected. under the
charge of Superintendent Hankinson. by Prof
Leotard, tho veterinary surgeon. The main
portions were carted to the foot of Thirty.
eighth street, and taken over to Barron Island
to be rendered into glue buttons and Other
substances. One leg was captured by yeter.
mary college His tusks, which weighed 8;
pounds each, were claimed by Mr.. Hutchinson
to be made into billiard balls The scene II
the elephants quarter in the garden was novel
| when twenty white-aproned aud blondv armef
butchers performed on the huge carcass. bui
before midnight proud Pilot was IN small
pieces and his remains were being distributed