Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1885-10-13
A MCRDEROUS ELEPHANT.
How Empress Killed Her Third Victim.
SHE KNOCKS HIM DOWN WITH her TRUNK

How Empress Killed Her Third Victim.
SHE KNOCKS HIM DOWN WITH HER TRUNK
AND DIsEMBowELs HIM WITH HER HUGE
TUsK.
1t was stated in yesterdays STAR that the
big performing elephant Empress added a third
victim To her long list on Sunday by attacking
ana Killing Robert X. White. Waterman en-
ployed at the winter quarters of Forepaugh's
circus, at the corner of Lehigh avenue and
Edgemont street, Philadelphia AS in almost
every other instance, the attack was made
without provOcatiOn or warning. White was
In the elephant building, which is detached
from the quarters of the other animals, in COM
pany with man named Allen and song and
dance artist, who has been connected with
- Brien.s circus during the past season. When
they entered the building Empress trumpeted
loudly and moved restleSsly about in her stall.
AS she had received her quota of hay, White
knew that she could not be hungry, and for a
time was at q loss to account for her uneasi-
ness. He then jumped to the conclusion that
she was thirsty, and told his companions that
he intended to give her drink. They knew
Empress ugly disposition. and tried to dissuade
nm from releasing her, but he protested that
he could manage her and entered the stall.
Empress stood perfectly passive while he
unwound the heavy chain that secured her
foreleg to stake driven in the ground. She
obedfently backed out of the stall and started
toward the water trough at the other end of the
building. She had not gone half a dozen PAGES,
hO"ONcis oclOTc SUI gave Stllt u d tuTchtulIiS
snort and, raising her trunk in the air, felled
White to the ground with a blow. She then
struck him another blow as he lay PROSTATE,
and then, rearing on her hind legs, brought one
OF her front feet down on Whites chest with
the full force of her pOnderous weight. She
paused for a moment, apparently to see whether
her victim would offer any resistance, and
when he moaned feebly she bent down her i'm
mense head, and with her remaining tusk
literally dfsembOweled him.
In the mean time Whites companions, who
had been rooted to the ground with horror for
an instant after the attack began, ran from the
building and gave the alarm. There were
very few OF the employees about, but those who
were within call quickly assembled and held Il
hurried consultation at the door of the ele-
plant house. Every man realized that it would
De folly to encounter the savage monster, es-
pecially at the moment when she had obtained
strength and power. They could hear her
tramping and trumpeIing, and then Daniel
Taylor, an attache of the circus, picked up a
spear and, dashing into the elephant house,
plunged 1t into the brute's leg. She stopped
thrusting at the PROSTATE man with her single
ant. Taylor followed up his attack by plung-
Ing his spear into Empress side repeatedly
and shouting at her. She turned toward him
and made movement as though she intended
transferring her attentions to him. Taylor
never wavered for a moment, but continued
Prodding the brute with his spear and shout
ing at her In tone Of authority. Empress
hesitated moment, and then doggedly turned
and walked to her stall, where she was quickly
secured.
Whites body was horribly crushed and man.
gied, although the face was not disfigured. 1t
lay in pool of blood in the center of the build
ing. He was unconscious, but still alive. He
was placed in an ambulance of the Episcopal
hospital, but died before reaching the instit,l-
t uon, and his body was taken to his home. near
the circus quarters. He was between 40 and so
years OF age, and leaves a widow and several
children.
Empress has been travelling with O'Briens
circus during the past season. The circus had
been showing in different parts of the city dur
ing the past month. The last performance was
at Sergeant and Cedar streets ON Saturday
night. After the show the elephants were sent
EdgemOnt street. 1t is said that Empress has
killed two or three persons and injured and
manned dozen or more. Her last escapade
in this city was on the morning of August 81.
when the show was exhibiting at Broad
and Dickinson streets. At. that time John
KiInberline, who was employed with the
show as a cook, stole into the elephant tent
when Empress was lying down apparently
asleep. Near her was pile of hay which con-
stituted her allowance for the night. Kimber-
line distracted an armful, and spreading it
under the lions cage, made bed for himself
and went to sleep. His actions were evidently
watched by Empress, who, after Kimberline
had gone to sleep, drew out the stake to which
she was chained, picked him up with her
trunk and hurled him across the tent. The
young man was seriously injured, but subse
Three months before this occurrence Empress
attacked John Loudon, an old employe
one side of his body is partially paralyZed for
life. Another employee had been attacked by
Empress not long before and severely injured.
Several years ago she hurled a woman per-
former across the tent and seriously hurt her
Soon after Empress came under the control of
her present trainer, Mr.. Colley, she took him
unawares one day, and. forcing him against "A
cage. thrust her tusk almost completely through
his body and fractured three ribs. She was
severely punished for this and since then has
been completely under Coley's control. She is
very intelligent, and performs some wonderful
tricks with her trainer in the ring.