Eureka daily sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1871-1887, 1884-08-09
I'm A RAGE.
Coles Big Elephant Raises Ned I'm
Wood River.

SAMHON" In A kA6Es
Coles Big Elephant Raises Ned In
Wood River.
HALEY Necs, Aug. 8.
Yesterday was the first day in the histor,
OF Wood River that elephants, dromedariel
and the other animals usually seen In
m~enagarie, have honored it with theil
presence. And their first visit, at least &C
far as Samson" is concerned, was at
tended by a little episode not laid down ir
the printed programme.
At 10 O'Clock the band, chariots, steam
organ and animal cages we're got ready
preparatory to giving the street parade
The parade passed off all right, and was
good display. On reaching the tent, after
the parade, "Samson," the large elephant
who followed just behind the den Of lions
became angered, and utiering a savage
growl began an attack upon the horses
hitched TO the cage containing the lions,
He beat them down to the ground with hit
trunk, and as fast as they arose he would
deal them another blow, almost death
bearing in its effects. The poor horses,
unable to long Withstand such treatment,
groaned and neighed in a pitiful manner,
They were badly handled, and several
hOaio ntob WSIc CACtculukly bbiu IL
their joints, and, in fact, in all parts oil
their bodies. One OF them was thought
last evening, to have had q rib broken,
while the Others will probably be all right
again in q few days.
Not satisfied with having vented Q por.
ton OF his spleen and on the in.
offensive horses, "Samson" next turned
his attention to the lions cage. During
the parade, Conklin, the lion.master, sal
in q chair in the cage with these ferocious
brutes running about him. He had luckily
just got out Of the cage when the elephant
struck il q bounding blow with his trunk.
The blow was 30 terrific that IL turned the
cake over like as II il were made of paper
Blow after blow followed, which took effect
on the floor OF the den on the under side.
The boards we're broken and crushed in,
but not sufficiently to allow any of the
lions to escape. Had they in any manner
happened to have got loose from their
quarters Q ferocious battle between "Ssm.
son" and the "kings of beasts" would have
inevitably followed. At this interesting
point in the scrimmsge, the keepers OF
Samson" kept q prudent distance from
the nraged beast, and attempted by re-
peated calls to get him away from anything
he might wreck. They succeeded in their
attempt, and Samson" followed his frs,
keeper in the direction OF the depot. But
there were tent wagons, q hay cart, and sn
ore wagon Of Hank Lufkin's in the beasts
way, and as this vast bulk OF moving bone
and flesh passed along. 1t over turned every
wagon in its way, and for q time seemed
bent on hurting down everything that OBJ
structed its pathway. Had Samson" been
thoroughly mad, and put to his utmos,
strength he would have done q great deal
OF damags, besides ~endangering the lives Of
many people. His keepers and the circus
employees were well aware Of the qusdru-
ped's herculean strength, n were far
more cautious about approaching him than
outsiders, who little realized the danger OF
their proximity. "Samson's" fore legs
were partially hobbled by q chain, which
prevented him from moving as fast % he
other wise would. Had he broken this
chain and taken Q notion to run down upon
the crowd, he would have destroyed life be,
yond a doubt. His keeper says that be
would test the ~ieetness Of q racehorse.
After "Samson" was marched away down
the railroad track . piece by the p~ersusioni
Of his keeper. who kept all the while q res.
pectable distance, mounted on q fleet horse,
il was decided to pepper the unruly beas,
with bullets and shot. Rifles and shotguns
we're procured. and shot after shot poured
into the elephants tough hide. The main
object OF this course was to hit him in the
trunk, on the legs and other meaty por.
lions OF the body. He bled considerably,
and finally became 80 weakened by running
about and by the loss of blood that he was
brought to bay between the cars ct the
depot, where they came together in q V.
The service Of two experienced herders were
called into requisition, and with their
lsssoes they got ropes around his legs, the
keeper succeeded in making him lie down,
and in q few moments "Ssmson" was down
on his side, PROSTATE by means of ropes
and chains fastening him to the railroad
track.
Bullet and shot holes we're found all over
his body. One bullet entered close to his
eye. and his trunk was drilled in various
places.
After laying thus bound three-quarters
Of an hour. Samson" was burnt and beat
BY his keepers, which is the usual treat
ment for making unruly elephants recog-
nize the fact that they are subject to q
master. Then he was marched under the
canvass TO be ready for the afternoon per-
Torrance.