Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-06-29
KILLING AN ELEPHANT.
Nnoly and Intelligent beast
Foralyzed by n Fall in a Circus.

Alndiy and Intelligent Beast
Paralyzed by n Fall in a Circus.
The huge body of an elephant was
stretched on the ground the other morn
ing behind the buffalo stables in the rear
Oh the Arsenal in Central Park. New
York City. Near it Persian COW with
sleek black sides was tethered ard her
iroilcklng young calf was grazing. The
elephant was known as Dutch Mary. an
African elephant only years old, be-
longing to Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson.
She had been in this country only two
years, but was an intelligent and docile
animal and a great favorite in the circus.
She advanced rapidly in her circus edu-
cation and seemed to enjoy the display of
her intelligence as much as those who
saw her. While Barnum's circus was at
the Madison Square Garden in March.
Dutch Mary slipped and fell heavily
While performing one of the pedestal
tricks. She did not appear much injured
at the time, but the keeper discovered
next day that something was wrong, and
the animal was taken out of the regular
programme for treatment. Instead of
recovering she became worse, and when
the circus left the Garden Dutch Mary
was placed with another elephant, which
was also indisposed, under the care of
Superintendent Conklin, OF the Central
Park Geological Gardens.
In few days it was discovered by Mr..
Conklin that Mary was unable to use her
hind legs freely and there were indica-
tons of paralysis. He consulted with
Dr. A F. Liautard, dean of the Ameri-
can Veterinary College, who had been re-
quested by Mr.. Bailey to look after the
health of the elephant and who made
calls on his patient every day. They
agreed on the symptoms Of paralysis and
q course of treatment was determined on,
involving mainly the use OF strychnine,
which was employed to counteract the
disease. Three powders of two grains
each were given Dutch Mary daily. Each
one was sufficient to kill healthy man,
but the elephant, whose weight was
nearly two tons, took them without any
apparent bad effect. For time she APP
peared to improve her appetite increased
wonderfully, and she gained in flesh.
But the use of her hind legs gradually
became less and less, and a month ago
they gave out entirely and she was I'M
aDlo 10 get on n6r Ieel.
Electricity was employed, but the cur
rent from half dozen batteries seemed
too weak to penetrate her tough hide:
Dr. Liautard suggested that if they could
secure q connection with an electric light
circuit it might produce the desired re-
suit, but on further examination 1t was
ascertained that the paralysis was prob
ably due to a fracture OF the vertebra
caused by her fall, and in that case Mary
was beyond recovery. She suffered no
pain and she was removed from her com
panion to the Buffalo stables. The
strychnine treatment was kept up and
her appetite continued good, but Tor two
weeks she has remained in one posture,
stretched on her left side, recognizing
everything that was going on around her,
and devouring large quantities OF fresh
cut grass.
"Poor old girlr' said Superintendent
Conklin Yesterday morning, as he eX-
planned the Affections of the animal.
1--WE can't do anything for her, and l
expect that we will have to put an end
to her soon. 1t is too bad, Molly"
Molly looked up at him with bright
black eve and then twisted her trunk
around the arm of DIR. Liautard, who had
lust come up and now patted her on the
head. re-,
at will have to be done," he said. 81
have lust received letter from Mr.. Bal
lev. who tells me, if | think there Is no
hope, she had better be killed. l hate to
do it, though"
Superintendent Conklin gave it as his
| opinion that there was no chance OF
recovery. A keeper was sent to the
arsenal. and returned presently, bringing
a Winchester repeating rifle loaded with
half-ounce conical balls. The park po-
licemen drove back the crowd that
collected through line OF wagons, and
another crowd collected on drive at
some distance. The Persian COW looked
| alarmed at these precautions, but her call
/ became curious and had to be driven
away. The bufaloes in the stable took
alarm and looked on wildly, but Dutch
Mary put out her trunk and ran 1t over
thp barrel of the rife, and the doctor and
srperintendent turned away their heads.
"Aim in a straight line alongside OF her
eve, Pete" said Mr.. Conklln, so as 10
reach the brain rs.,
The sick elephant of sudden lifted
her head and sent out trumpet-lIke roar
| Of alarm. Then her head fell back
against the stable wall, so that 1t was
necessary to pry her huge body away
from the wall. She seemed to realize hel
danger, and her ewes showed alarm, ou'
She was helpless after the first exertlon
The keeper took his aim standing within
q few feet of her head. There was
sharp report, and Dutch Mary Lifted hel
head with bright red spot in the centr'
of II where the ball had entered, ana Ut
tered terrific roar after roar that starteC
the animals in the gardens. Inc Gov
hogan TO below and the bufaioe
,,ITnoed in their stables, while the hon
and tigers walked to and iro IN tnel
caoes a short distance away ana roaTe'
in response. This effort only, lasted
nooment. when the elephants head sam
down again exhausted. The bullet haI
not reached a fatal spot. Announcer li:'si
and report and another red spot was lid
, nr;nted on the huge head little lowe
t Rlln' The first The eyes OF Dutch Mar.
o oil" furiously. A stream OF 6loo
ssnnrted from her trunk as she lllieu vi
o With piercing roars. With IRE
an I effort She raised herself o o
her fore feet-no longer uooit
Int throwing her head herceiy son,
and fro with the effort OF reacIliiis I'll a.
one with her trunk, which colleu II, ~
o;r ike a serpent. For molneh en- i
Soor1nd as if she would hit her VIZ Wiz;
Sadr 70 her feet once more, but the sttdi
por' 700 Great. Her cries deepeneu mo y,
Was w o9d She fell back heavily upon u III
groah' am w. movement had placed ht