Orange County observer. [volume] (Hillsborough, N.C.) 1880-1918, 1885-05-16

The work of conquering the proud
spirit OF Ajax began at nine O'Clock on /
Tuesday morning and ended shortly /,
before noon Saturday. Beating has 10
effect upon mad elephant it only
renders him more stubborn and wicked.
The breakers only hope is to convince
such an animal that he is powerless
against man. That accomplished, tie
beast becomes as docile as elephants
ever are. On Tuesday morning four
hawsers were passed through immense
pulleys attached TO beams under the
roof. Then a Sc. OF harness, shaped
something like n monster. shawl strap,
was fastened about A jaxs s defiant body
The leather straps, which were three-plv
thick, covered small chains. All the
leather plates were copper riveted aud
foot wide. Ajax looked as though lie
were in armor after being encased.
Three hours were spent in getting the
harness on him, and during the job he
slightly injured two of the keepers.
Through iron rings, supported by
great chains, were passed the hawsers.
Then dozen men grasped two of the
lines of rope that passed through the
pulleys. and before Ajax knew it his
hind feet were six feet above the ground
and he stood on his front ones in the
most approved performing elephant
ctx,Io hn 1nI
with astonishment, but surprise gave
place to fury when he appreciated the
ridiculous posture he was in. He
surged and trumpeted and tapped his
ears, but all to no purpose.
When his struggles subsidea some of
the men ran off with the front ropes and
in a jiffy Aiax's body was suspended in
air. He made frantic efforts tG tear
| the betting off with bis trnnk, but the
chains between his fore legs and around
his shoulders prevented IT. There the
monster brute hung, as helpless as an
| infant He was free to kick and plunge
and butt the air as much as he pleased
| From time to time he was lowered, SO
| that he could rest his legs, but none of
| the men were allowed to approach or
worry him. In the evening he was low
cred and fed, and allowed to spend the
night on the ground thinking over the
| indignities that had been put upon him.
After his breakfast on the following
morning he was trussed up as before
He resisted, but his efforts were un-
availing. He was stont-spirited brute,
however, and the second days punish
ment only seemed to increase his rage
When he came down to supper he was
the maddest elephant that ever trum-
peted in winter quarters. At the sight
Of the harness on Wednesday be became
greatly excited. He was ''coming-to his
senses" This, however, did not pre-
vent him from being h0isted up again.
He slrged about less III his comfortable
swing on Thursday, but otherwise be
WAS as stubborn and dangerous as ever.
An anchor was sunk five feet III the
ground and covered with earth in an
other part Of the quarters Only =
ring was exposed Alax's torc!egs VIC tt
hitcned to the ring on Friday mcrr .ng.
Ropes were attached 10 his hind legs,
which we.e then drawn ont, leaving hin
"spread -eagied" on his stomach or
straw.
The elephant was let up ard thrown
down several times during the day
After three or soar hours experV nee O
this kind AJAX became neeker, and Et
was quite detected when, IN the even
ing, he was unclaimed and ordered t:
stand up He was ho5b!ed aid thrown
down on Saturday morning, and whei
he touched the ground he cried ont, anC
tears t-ickIed down his trunk. He wa
conquered The cha.-s were removed
nj once, and he got up quietly. Al tn
word Of command he walked into th'
room he had broken ont Of on Monda,
night. and was as meek SIS 8 sheep.