Daily Yellowstone journal., 1885-05-31
A HERD or MAD ELEPHANTS.
sss~ Jumbo Saved HIS Keeper Hating
a stampeded Herd.


Philadelphia Timesl
Talking about the sagacity of ele-
phants, said William II. Gardner, one
Of Barnum's advance agents. Il tell
you they know good deal more tLan
some human beings that | run across
once in awhile Their cuteness is sim
ply wonderful. To prove what | say l
need only tell you what happened un-
der my svn observation. The show
made stand one day last season at the
town of Cttumwa, Iowa. One OF the
sideshow tents was put up before the
main tent in order to conceal Jumbo
from the countrymen. While George
Arstingstall and William Newman, the
principal elephant trainers connected
with Barnum show, were away at
their breakfast the thirty-one elephants
that form the herd were left under the
care of the subordinate keepers.
sold Chieftain, the giant of the herd,
who also has the honor of being the
father of Columbia, the Bridgeport baby
elephant, had shown signs of uneasi-
ness for some days before the arrival of
the show at Ottumwa and ArstingStall
went to his breakfast convinced that he
would behave himself during IBIS alb
sence. No sooner had ArStingHall and
Newman disappeared than old Chief
tain, relieved Of the restraint of his pres
ence, began to show his true nature.
Without giving a sign Of the rage that
was in him he charged one Of the under.
keepers, seized him with his trunk and
threw him fully thirty feet Fortunately
the keeper struck upon the shelving side
of the side-show tent and was not badly
hurt. Not satisfied with this exhibition
of his strength, Chieftain broke the
chain that, fastened to stake in the
ground and to one of his fore legs, was
considered strong enough under ordi-
nary circumstances to resist even his
power and, having freed himself from
its bondage, began loud trumpeting
that could be heard mile away.
Elephants are something like village
dogs, who always bark in unison. They
never trumpet unless they are fighting
mad, and when one trumpets all that
hear him join in the chorus. The loud
noise made by Chieftain excited the
whole herd, most of whom were fastened
by ropes only, and general stampede
began. The under-keepers ran for their
lives and did no. stop until they had
gained the shelter OF neighboring
hotel. Meanwhile Chieftain, who has a
special grudge against 'Scotty,' the
keeper who has had charge of Jumbo
ever since his arrival in this country,
made his way TO the side-show tent In
uhinh Iunhn vas stanI;n. p,,t ranfI
as were his movements he could not de-
ceive the king of elephants, who seemed
10 know instinctiyely what the infuri-
ated beast was in search of. Selling
'Scotty' unceremoniously with his
mighty trunk Jumbo lifted him as
easily as man would lit baby, and
placing him between his forelegs
reached out with his trunk and
trumpted challenge that seemed to
say, Touch him if you dare"
The lold front of Jumbo, and his
monstrous size, seemed to awe Chief
tain, furious and revengeful as he was,
and he came to full stop a few feet
from the entrance to the tent Just at
this moment Mr.. Bailey, one of the pro-
prietors of the show, who had owned
Chieftain for several years and had been
familiar with him, entered the tent and
fearlessly approached the infuriated ele-
phant He had the narrowest escape of
his life. Swinging his trunk around,
Chieftain sought TO crush him. Thanks
TO his agility, Ar Ba ley was enabled
TO evade the stroke, but, seeing that the
beast was beyond his control, he crawled
under the canvas. by this time nearly
all the elephants had broken their
tethers and stampeded down the main
street OF the village. Chieftain, as If
thinking twice about .o,ning issue with
Jumbo, rushed through the canvas wall
of the tent as il il were tissue paper
and joined his companions.
"As the herd stampeded down tho
street they had to pass the hotel at
which Arstingstall and Newman we're
breakfasting. The latter rushed out
into the street bareheaded while the
herd were within thirty feet of the front
door, and holding ap both hands, as
was his habit when performing them in
their military drill, he shouted: Halt
The command was obeyed instantly and
the herd drew themselves into line OF
battle as methodically as though they
were in the ring performing before
thousands Of spectators. In few min.
ntes they marched quietly back TO the
circus grounds and submitted passiyely
TO being tethered to their posts.