Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1884-02-08
.AsAcRep PAcAYpERDa.
Tho Truth About the White Elephant Now
in england.

The Truth About the White Elephant Now
In England.
London Daily News. Jan, II.
The Glasgow steamship Tenasserim
arrived IN the Msrsey at an early hour
yesterday morning wi th the white ele
phant of Mr.. Barnum on board. The
steamer, which is beautifully cone truct-
ed vessel of its class, carried the sacred
animal in a specially constructed deck
house, where it has been confined since
it's embarkment from Rangoon, Dec. 7th.
As soon as ylight broke Mr.. Barnum's
agent aud large party OF literary aud
scientific men boarded the vessel and
made an inspection of the beast. Mr..
Bartlett. OF the Royal geological gard
ems, accompanied the party, and that
gentleman was understood to express
bis qualified admiration OF "r0ung
Taloung," the name of the Burmese ani-
NAL. 1t is Of q pale ash color, with livid
markings on the breast and face; and,
though IN the possession of some
the size of ones finger.nail, is is
of the Burmese order of sacred Pachy-
derms. It is about fifteen years old, and
has splendid tusks, formidable weapons
which the attendant, reports were not
once aggressively used on the voyage.
The height OF the shoulders Is seven feet
six inches and its back is as level as
shorthorn's, q mark of pure breed as
much appreciated BY elephant hunters
as by breeders of cattle. HIS attendant
is q half-bred Burmese, one of the hill
tribesmen in the vicinity of MaLdalay,
by name Radum Raddi. Raddi, is coffee
colored and has . beautiful head of hair,
soft, silky, and black as jet. When he
arrived at Liverpool he had it carefully
wrapped in silk pocket.handkerchief
evidently to shield himself from the
nnaccustomed cold. It is said that
Raadi and the elephant are on
the best of terms. They take their
meals peacefully together, and after
the fatigues OF the day usually lie
down on the same couch of bay. The
captain (Mr. Pagan talks IN enthuslas
tic terms of the beast and its behavior.
When brought down from Mandalay in
charge of Mr.. Chas. White and number
of native attendants. the greatest excite.
ment arose. Sdeh is the vcneratlon of
the natives for the beast that great pre-
caution had to be taken to insure its safe
arrival at the port of shipment. In the
early part OF the year Mr.. Barnum's agent
secured sacred elephant, which was
poisoned by the superstitions natives
the export OF such an animal being con,
sidered by them one of the worst form.
Of tacrilege. Happily, the agent got this
Ryan Zone Tor sacred eiephant) ie
safety through the country, fon
the most part under cover of darknessr
When first placed on the after.
deck of the Tenasserim. Toung.
TalounR displayed some degree of con.
cerp, and sorely tried the capabilities of
its temporary prison. In the course of
a few days, however. be settled down
comfortably into the new order of things,
and became quite favcrite of the sail
ors, who christened him "Old Tongue"
Old Tongue was regarded as the leading
institution of the ship, aud after his
morning bath in tamarind water was al.
ways in request. His prison compan-
ions were OF a somewhat curious descrip-
ton, q mangoose and sloth. The man
goose, despite its natural ferocity to
snakes and beasts of prey. displayed
little animosity to the elephant. They
were fed at the same time,
and beyond a contemptuous wave of his
beautiful tusks, the sacred elephant ig-
nored his nnsavory neighbor, turning al-
ways to Radum Raddi, his protector.
The arrival occurred at too early an hour
yesterday to secure the dispatch of the
animal to the Geological! gardens on the
same day. However, it has been care
fully wrapped up. and will be sent to
Euston station o.day from Edgehill sta
ton, leaving that place at lis q. m. A
specially prepared truck, built by Mr..
Charles William Hudson, of Plmllco, will
convey the beast to the "Zoo," and it has
been constructed in a fashion to ensure
the safety of the huge animal, as we'll as
1,,o