Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1883-04-13
A LESSON IN NATURAL HISTORY.

ONE OF BAnNUM's ELEPHANTS KILLED on AC-
COUNT OF ITS VICIOUS CHARACTER THE
TREACHERoUsNEss AND UGLINEss OF THE
ELEPHANT RACE IN GENERAL.
Pilot, the elephant next in size to Jumbo in
the Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson herd, came
to his death suddenly yesterday morning He
was powerful "highland" Asiatc elephant
OF rather uncertain and vicious temper, and
has always required careful watching to keep
him from mischief, as he had never been en-
tirely subdued. For several days he has been
in savage mood, and his keepers, noting his
condition, used extra care in securing him.
especially when the public were in the build
ing. Tuesday night he butted down the big
brick chimney, and Wednesday morning he
attacked another elephant when they were
loosened for watering, and came near killing
William Newman, one of bis keepers.
When the public left the garden after We'd
nesday nights performance, measures were
at once taken to throw Pilot down and subju-
gate him Fritz and Gypsy we're turned loose
to aid in securing him, and in obedience to
the keepers commands they pressed so close
ly upon him on each side that he could not
move. Then men crawled under them and
fastened ropes about his feet. lie tried to
strike the men with his trunk, hit at them
with bis tusks and attempted to fall upon
them and as every effort was foiled his rage
increased, until in the estimation Of the keep
ers, he became really crazy.
Forty men tugged on each rope, in turn,
until they had him stretched out with his belly
almost touching the ground. In that position
he was helpless, but before they got him there
he had knocked several men senseless and
torn down one of the big posts supporting the
tent.
Then they set to work to discipline him
with hoop poles. For hours he took his pun
ishment without a sign Of yielding, and final
ly it was decided that the attempt to conquer
him would be y failure, and that the only
thing to be done for the safety of the show
| people and the general public WAS to put an
end to his existence. George Arstingstall,
| the principal elephant trainer, took tue re-
| sponsibility Of the decision and the execution
OF the sentence. From Colts navy revolv.
er he fired two shots into the beasts heart,
aiming carefully at short range for vital
| spot just behind the fore leg, and planted a
final shot under the left eye, penetrating the
brain. At a quarter before eight o'clock yes.
tcrday morning the long fight was over, aud
| Pilot was queted forever.
Late last evening, after the spectators of
the show were gone, the carcass was cut up
for removal by half dozen sturdy butchers
with big knives, cleavos and saws, while 30
| stout attaches of the show hauled the legs and
other members away as they were severed to
make room for the men to work. In a couple
of hours the work was DONE and in five big
wagons the enormous pile Of meat was carted
of to the Barren Island boat, with the excep.
ton Of one fore-leg, which was obtained for
purposes Of dissection in Columbia veterinary
college.
Frank Hyatt, general superintendent Of the
meuagerie department, said that no persons
life would have been safe about the show had
| Pilot been permitted to live. Mr.. Barnum
was much gratifed to learn Of the beast't
death. Pilot was 30 years old, and 20 years
of his life had been spent in captivity -
! ". y. Sun, IN inst