Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-02
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"A ph;,.dslphis telegram ssys En-
press. Inc big performing elephant OF
o,f,rien's circus. which Is now "a,
h;biting at the corner OF Broad ano
Dirk inson streets, added another victim
10 her already long list early yesterday
mornine. In this instance the injuries
that she inflicted will probably result
fatally. The injured man Is john
K;mberline, about twenty years
old. whose home is in Altoona.
He has been travelling with the circus
during the season as helper around
the cook-house. At about 8 O'Clock
Yesterday morning Trainmaster Hail.
who has charge Of the circus.grcunds
during the night, was startled by hear
ing cries for help coming from the
menaperie tent. The cries could only
be heard ut intervals, as for the most
part they were drowned by the LOUD
trumpetings of the elephants ana the
roars and bowls Of the other animals.
Hall ran to the tent at the top OF his
speed, but when he reached there the
noise had almost entirely ceased. The
elephants had been subdued and quiet
ed by their trainer, Mr.. Colley. and the
lions cages had been closed. When the
voices of the animals had been hushed
the voice Of a man was heard calling in
a feeble voice: "Oh, Mr.. Colley, save
me ~ The voice was found to come
from a limp mass of humanity lying in
heap at one side Of the tent. 1t was
the body of young Kimberline. He
was still conscious, but was in terrible
agony. An ambulance was summoned
and he was taken to the Pennsylvania
Hospital, where DR.. Shober found that
he had sustained severe internal inju-
ries. lie was unconscious during the
day, and last night the physician re-
fused to say whether he would recover
or not. He said, however, that there
were indications Of peritonitis, which
made the case more dangerous.
From statements made by Kimber-
line and one or two other men who
were in the tent at the time, it was
gathered that the animal had attacked
her victim in a spirit Of revenge. Kim
berline had come in from the cooking
tent late at night for the purpose of
sleeping there, instead of going to the
cars on Washington avenue. The ele-
phant was chained to a stake in the
centre of the tent. When the young
coon crawled under the canvas the big
brute was lying down, apparently sound
asleep. Near her was pile Of
hay. Kimberline stole quietly up to
the hay, gathered up an armful, and
made bed for himself under the lions
cage. His movements had evidently
been watched by the elephant, who lay
quiet, however. until the young man
had fallen into. a sound sleep. The
Empress then quietly rose to her feet,
measured the length of her chain, and,
finding that it would not permit her to
reach Kimberline, she deliberately
pulled the stake to which the chain
was attached out of the ground. She
then walked to where the pur-
loiner Of her provender was ly-
ing and, wrapping her trunk
around the middle of his body, hurled
him across the tent. His body was
thrown violently against heavy tent
pole, and as he fell to the ground he
screamed Justify for Mr.. Colley. When
the big brute heard this name she
stopped short, and with look of fear
gathered up her hay and beat hasty
retreat to the spot where she had beer
tethered. When, minute later, Col.
ley rushed into the tent she looked a:
meek and innocent as though a wicked
thought had never entered her big
skull.
This is her third victim during the
present season. About three months
ago an old man named john London
who has been connected with 0'Brien's
circus for twelve years, was engaged il
fixing the trappings on big saddle
worn by the Empress in street parades
The elephant was chained short dis
lance from him. She heartily dislike'
street parades, and watched the prepa
rations with wicked CLEAN in her eye
While the old mans back was turned
she suddenly clasped him arount
the waist with her trunk, and. lifting
him high in the air, threw his body witt
all her force against the heavy woodel
saddle. Before he could scramble ou
Of reach she grabbed him again ant
hurled him against the saddle. Tn
old man was seriously injured, and on
side was partially paralyzed for life
Earlier in the season another employee
was slightly injured by going within
reach of the elephants trunk. Severa
years ago a female performer wa
thrown across the tent by the brute
and during the past twenty years sh
has injured or manned dozen or NOR
people. Soon after she came under tn
control Of her present trainer sh
took him unawares one day and, forcin
him against a cage, thrust her short
sharp tusks almost completely throug
his body and fractured three ribs. Sh
is now thoroughly under his control an
performs some remarkable tricks wit
him in the ring. No one else has an
control over her, and every one
warned to keep beyond her reach. !
few years ago, when Colley was yer
i'll, it was necessary, in unloading tn
brute from her ear, to place her train
cr's bed in a wagon and take him to tn
train so that she could hear his voic,
She then followed meekly after tn
wagon, and was led to the tent and 81
cured with chains.
DEPRIVED OF HIS WIFE.
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