Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1885-09-25
big JumbO's Death.

Jumbo is deal. The famous old ele-
phant which has been gazed upon with
wonder and admiration by so many
people in this country and England was
killed i'm a railroad accident ut 81. ThOm.
us, Ontario, last week. The circus had
given all exhibition there, and while the
evening performance was in progress
the usual plan of loading the animals
on the cars was proceeded with. There
are thirty-one elephants in connection
with the show and of these all had been
placed on board OF the cars with the cX-
ception of the famous Jumbo and Tom
Thumb, the dwarf clown elephant, who
created so much merriment during the
performance. AS these two were being
walked along the track to reach their
cars, about half-past nine o'clock, a spe-
cial freight, run by Engineer William
Burnip, approached from the east. The
engineer noticed the elephants on the
track and whistled for brakes three
times aud reversed his engine. But
just at that point the track was on
down grade and the train could not be
stopped. Jumbo was ahead, in charge
of his keeper, Mr. Scott, known to all
the circus people rs "Scotty," with Tom
Thumb ia the rear.
Whes "Scotty" noticed the danger
he urged Jumbo to increase his pace and
the big animal started on a run down
the track, with his keeper bravely ruiz
ming by his side. But it was no use.
The train could not be held back and as
it came laundering along it first struck
the clown elephant and threw him into
the ditch and then dashed into Jumbo.
AS it struck the monster 1t was as if TWO
trains had come together. The freight
was stopped and the engine and two
cars were thrown from the track. Jum-
DO was struck in the hind legs and as
the COW. catcher hit him he gave vent to
one loud roar and fell. The engine and
edge of the first car passed along his
back and inflicted terrible bruises.
Jumbo was not instantly killed, but
lived for fifteen minutes after being
struck, expiring while efforts were be-
ing made to take him from under the
train. The engine was badly damaged
and will have to be sent to the shop and
be rebuilt.
Almost rs soon as the accident had oc-
Cured men were set 10 work to set the
engine and cars on the track and to pull
poor Jumbo from the wreck. Large Ca
bes were attached TO him, one TO the
front and another to the back part of
his body, aud about one hundred men
bucklel on to each cable, while another
force of men with planks and crOwbars
pried from behind After about half an
hours labor Jumbo's body was pulled
of tie track into the ditch. The circus
employees ran about with flaming
torches, the cool headed master Of tranS
portation gave orders to the hundreds
of men ut work, while to one side stood
Mr.. Hutchinson and other managers Of
the show, grieving over the loss OF their
favorite. The scene was one not soon
to De forgotten. Willie Jumbo was be-
ing pulled off the track the veterinary
surgeons connected with the show were
attending to the elephant Tom Thumb.
He had been thrown into the ditch and
it was found that his left hind leg had
been broken. II is expected that the leg
can he saved, and after the limb was set
he was lifted ia car and taken with
the rest of the animals on the train.
After the accident, when the noise
and confusion had somewhat ceased 80
that an examination could be made OF
Jumbo, it was apparent that death was
upon him. ThSre were deep gashes in
lis flank, his feet were torn aud the
blood ran out Of his mouth. He gave
one groan after being struck, then he
suffered in silence while the sands Of his
life ran out. Long after life was ex-
tinct his keeper, who brought him from
the Geological Gardens in London, lay
on his body and wept.
A great many OF the thousands OF
spectators who visited the dead elephant
the next day clipped some souvenir
from the body. Some were satisfied
with one Of the long stiff hairs which
grew in his tail, others cut off pieces OF
lacerated hide or feet and one boy, bold
er than the rest, appropriated piece OF
his ear. But this vandalism was finally
stopped by special policeman who was
placed on guard over the remains.
Jumbo was purchased by Mr.. Barnum
of the London Geological Society in the
spring OF 1882 for $4,000. When the
sale became known there was curiou;
demonstration Of feeling in London
The opponents Of the removal OF Jumbt
to this country even went so far as tt
resort to the courts to prevent 1t. Jumbt
was at the time little over twenty
years old, and thought to be good fol
fifty years more. He was slabsided
gaunt, high-boned and tuskless. Meas
ured at the shoulder Jumbo stood ii fee