New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-06-10
SHOOTING AN ELEPHANT.
DUTCH MARY KILLED IN CENTRAL PARK.
PARALYzED BY FALL-nER DEATH STRUGGLES

PARALYzED By FALL-IER DEATH STRUGGLES
PIIIFUL SCENE.
The huge body of an elephant was stretched
on the ground yesterday morning behind the buffalo
stables In the OF the Arsenan Central Park Near it
Persian with sleek black sides tethored and
her frocking young calf grazing The elephant was
known as Dutch Mary. African elephant only eight
years old. belonging to Barnum, Bailey & Hutchinson.
She had been in this country only two years. but
Intelligent and docie animal and great favOrite In the
circus She advanced rapidly in her circus education
and seemed to enjoy the display OF her intelligence as
much as those who her While Barnums circus was
at the Madison Square Garden in March, Dutch Mary
slipped aud fell heavily while performing of the
pedestal tricks She did not appear much injured at the
time bnt the keeper discovered the next day that some
thing wrong, and the animal taken out Of the
regular programme for Treatment Instead Of recovering
she became worse and when the circus left the Garden
Dutch Mary placed with another elephant which
also indisposed under the Of superintendent
Conklln, Of the Central Park Geological Gardens.
In few days It discovered by Mr.. Conkn that
Mary unable to her hind legs freely and there
were indications OF paralysis. Ho consulted with Dr.
A. +. Lautard. dean OF the American Veterinary
COLLEGE, who had been requested 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 parsy sis a OF treatment WAS determined
on, involving mainly the use OF strychnlne. which was
employed to cOuneract the disease. Three powders OF
two grains each given Dutch Mary daily. Each
sufficient to kill healthy man, but the elephant
whose weight nearly two tons, took them without
any apparent bad effect. For tire she appeared to
improve; her appetite increased wonderfully and she
gained In nesh But the Of her hind legs gradually
became less and less, and month ago they gave out
entirely and she unable to got on her feet
Electricity was employed, but the current from half
dozen batteries seemed TO weak to penetrate her tough
hide Dr. Lautard suggested that II they could secure
4 .t.f.., 10 ff IL fupn
duce the desired result but further examination IL
was asccrtaned the paralysis probably duo to
fracture OF the vertehra caused BY her fall aud III
that case Mary beyond recovery She suffered no
pain and she removed from her companion to the
buffalo stables. The stychnine treatment was kept up
and her appetite continued good but for two weeks she
has remained IN POSTURE stretched on her LEFT side,
recognizing Everything that was going on around her
and doyourlng large quantities OF frcsh-cut grass
Poor old girl" said superintendent COnltn yesterday
morning he explained the allictons 0f tho animal
I've can't do anything for her. and expect that We
Will have TO put an end to her soon 1t Is TOO DAd
Molly"
Molly looked up at him with bright black eye ard
then twisted her trunk around the OF Dr. Lautard
who had Just up and patted her on the head
at will have to DO DONE" said no. "Ihaye just re-
ccycd letter from Mr Bailey, who tells Lie, II think
thero l. no hope she had better be Killed hate to 10
It, though"
superintendent NoNhNu gave u ~ AiI' vl'''"" s''
there chance Of recovery. keeper was sentto
thc.Arscna and returned presently. bringing Wnches
ter repeating rifle loaded with conical 9as
lie Park policemen drove back the crowd that collected
thousha line OF wagons and another crowd collected on
q drive at some distance. The Persian COW looked
alarmed al these precautions. but her calf became
curious and had to be driven away. The buaoes In the
stable, took alarm and looked wildly, but Dutch Mary
nut out her trunk aud It over the barrel OF tile rifle
and the doctor and superintendent turned away their
hoals:
Aim In straight line right alongside OF her eyePete
said Mr. Conkliu, 80 TO reach the Brain"
The sick elephant oil IA sudden fted her head aud sent
ont a trumpet Ike roar OF alarm. Thon her head fell
back against the stable wall that It was necessary TO
pry her huge body away from the wall she seemed to
realize her danger and her eyes showed alarn but she
WIS helpless after her first eXcrtJn The Keeper took MS
aim standing within few feet OF her head. There was
a lond report aud Dutch Mary lifted her head with a
bright rcd spot In tie OF II where the ball had en-
tered and uttered crnc roar after roar that startled an
the aulmals In lie gardens The COW began % below
aud tue bualocs plunged IN 'her stables "hile tue
lions and tigers walked to ana fro In their cages short
distance away and roarcd In response This effort only
lasted a moment when the elephants head sank down
again exhausted. The bullet had not reached fatal
spot Another fash and report and another red spot
VIVA imprinted on the hugo head little lower than the
first. The eyes OF Dutch Mary glared furlousy
stream or blood spurcd from her trunk rs she hed the
air with piercing With tremendous euort she
raised herself her fore feet no longer docie out
thrashng her head ercy 10 and fro with the enort OF
reaching some with her trunk which eoed In the air
ike serpent For moment II seemed "a II she would
ft her whole body feet more, but the strain
WAS too great Her cries dcepeneI into groan ana she
fell back heavily on the ground. The movement had
placed her body In better position. The keeper pointed
his rifle back Of one OF the animals ears and hred
culver went through the great brown body, ana then
her eyes were turned back current Of black blood ran
from the last wound ana in few moments Dutch Mary
dead.
loss than five minutes were occupied from the first
shot until sho had ceased breathing The body VIII be
taken to the rendering factory in East Thirty cghthst
to day The legs cut on at the lower joints Two
were sent to Mr. Bailey. was kept 10y Dr. Lautard
and one for the Park They Will be treated by taxi
dornist ana made into stools as SouVehr' OF Du'cu
Mary she was valued at $1,000