The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1884-09-05
SAMSON ON THE RAMPAGE.
Coles Big Elephant, Samson" Gets Mad
and Has a Side Show,

Our people who saw the great elephant
with Coles circus will be interested in the
following account, from the Salt Lake Tri-
bune, Of how he made things lively over In
Idaho:
"Samson," the big elephant with Coles
circus, gave free but unruly exhibition at
Haily, Wood River, on the 4th inst. After
the usual parade, and on reaching the tent,
Samson" who followed just behind the den
of lions, became angered, and uttering saw
age growl began an attack upon the horses
htched to the cage, containing the lions. He
beat them down to the ground with his
trunk, and as fast rs they arose, he would
deal them another terrible blow. The poor
horses, unable to withstand such treatment,
groaned in pitiful manner.
Not satisfied with having vented portion
of his spleen and meanness on the inoffen-
sive horses, Samson" next turned his atten-
tion to the lions cage. During the parade,
Conklin, the lion-master, sat in o chair in
the cage with these ferocious brutes running
about him. He had luckily just got out of
the cage when the elephant struck it bound
ing blow with his trunk. The blow was so
terrific that IL turned the cage over as IL ii
were made out of paper Blow after blow
followed, which took effect on the floor of
the den, on the under side. The boards were
broken and crushed in, but not sufficientl TO
allow any of the lions to escape. At this in-
teresting point In the scrimmage the keepers
Of "Samson" kept aprudent distance from
the enraged beast, and attempted by repeated
calls to get him away from anything that he
might wreck. They were successful In their
attempt, and "Samson" followed his first
keeper in the direction Of the depot. But
there were tent wagons, hay cart, and an
ore wagon OF Hank Lnfkin's in che beasts
way, and as this vast bulk of moving bone
and flesh passed along, 1t overturned every
wagon in its way, and for time seemed
bent on hurting down everything that OBJ
structed its pathway. His keeper and tho
circus employees were we'll aware of his her.
culean strength, and 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 chain, which prevented him from moy-
ing as fast as he otherwise would. His
keeper says that he would test the fieetness
of a race horse.
After "Samson" was marched away down
the railroad track piece by the persuasions
Of his keeper, who kept all the while a re-
spectacle distance, mounted on fleet horse,
1t was decided to pepper the unruly beast
| with bullet and shot. Rifles and shot guns
were procured, and shot after shot poured
into the elephants tough hide. The main
object Of this course was to hit him on the
trunk, on the legs and other meaty portions
of the body. He bled considerably, and fin
ally became so weakened by running about
| and by the loss Of blood that he was brought
to bay between the oars at the depot, where
| they came together In ". The services of
| two experienced herders were called into
| requisiton, and with their lassoes they got
| ropes around his legs, the keeper succeeded
| In making him lie down, and In few mo-
ments 'samson" was down on his side, kept
PROSTATE by means of ropes and chains fas-
/ tening him TO the railroad track.
Bullet and shot holes were found all oyer
his body One bullet entered close to his
!, eye. and his trunk was drilled In yariom
| places.
After lying thus bound for thrse-anarters
| Of an hour, "Samson" was burnt and beat by
his keepers, which Is the usual treatment for
making nnruiy elephants recognize the fact
tina. they are subject to master. Then be
was marched under the canvas to be ready
Tor the afternoon performance.