The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-06-12
DUTCH MARY"
A Performing Elephant Stricken With Par
alysis by a Fall.
W. B. f.
New York Special.

New York Special
Inc huge body of an elephant was stretched
on the ground yesterday morning, behind the
| buffalo stables in the rear of the Arsenal, in
| Central Park Near it Persian cow, with sleek,
| black sides, was tethered and her frolicking
young calf was grazing. The elephant was
known as Dutch Mary, an African elephant,
only eight years old, belonging to Barnum,
Bailey 81 Hutchinson. She had been in this
country only two years, but was an intelligent
and docile animal, and great favorite in the
circus She advanced rapidly in her circus edu
cation, and seemed to enjoy the display of her
intelligence as much those who saw her.
While Barnums circus was at the Madison
square Garden in March, Dutch Mary
slipped and fell heavily while perform
ing one of the pedestal tricks.
She did not appear much injured at the
time, but the keeper discovered the next day
that something was wrong, and the animal was
taken out of the regular programme for treat
ment. Instead of recovering she became worse,
and when the circus left the Garden Dutch
Mary was placed, with ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS who was
also indsposed, under the care of Superintend
emit Conkin, of the Central Park Geological
Mary was unable to use her hind legs freely, and
that there were indications of paralysis. He
consulted with DIR. A. +. Liantard dean of the
American Veterinary College, who had been
requested by Mr. Mr.. Bailey to look after the
health of the elephant, and who made calls on
his patient every day. They agreed the
symptoms of paralysis, and a course of treat
ment was determined on involving mainly the
use OF strychnne, which employed to
| counterfeit the disease. Three powders, each of
two grains, We're given Dutch Mary daily.
Each one was sufficient to kill a healthy
man, but the elephant, whose weight was nearly
two tons, took them without any apparent bad
effect For time she appeared to improve; her
appetite increased wonderfully and she gained
in flesh. But the use of her hind legs gradually
became less and less. and month ago they gave
out entirely and she unable to get on her
feet Electricity was employed but the current
from half a dozen batteries seemed too weak to
penetrate her tough hide. DR.. Liantard sug
gested that if they could secure connection
with electric light circuit it might produce
the desired result but on further examination
it was ascertained that the paralysis was proba-
bly, due to q fracture of the vertebra, caused by
her fall and in that case Mary was beyond re-
covery. She suffered no pain, and she was re-
moved from her companion to the buffalo stables.
The strychnine treatment was kept up and her
appetite continued good, but for two weeks she
has renamed IN one posture, stretched
on her left side, recognizing everything
that was going on around her, and devouring
large quantities of fresh hay. 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 Win
chester repeating rifle, loaded with half ounce
conical balls The park policeman drove back
the crowd that collected, though line of wagons
and another crowd collected ON a drive at some
distance. The Persian cow looked alarmed at
these precautions, but her calf became curious,
| and had to be driven away. The buffaloes in
the stables took alarm, and looked wiltly,
ht1%o Now
the barrel of the rifle, and the doctor and the
superintendent turned away their heads. Aim
IN straight line right along the side of her eye"
said Mr.. Conklin, 80 as to reach the brain" The
sick elephant of a sudden lifted her head and
sent out trumpet-like roar of alarm, then her
head fell back against the stable wall, so that it
was necessary to pry her huge body away from
the wall She seemed to realize her danger
and her eyes showed alarm, but she was help
less after her first exertion. The keeper took
his aim standing within few feet of her head
There was loud report, and Dutch Mary lifted
her head with bright red spot in the center of
it where the ball had entered and uttered ter
rife roar after roar that startled all the animals
in the gardens. The cow began to below. and
the bufaloes plunged in their stables while the
lions and tigers walked to and fro in their cages
a short distance away and roared in response.
This effort only lasted a moment, when the ee-
plants head sank down again exhausted The
bullet had not reached a fatal spot Another
flash and report, and another red spot was i'm
printed on the huge head a little lower than
| the first The eyes of Dutch Mary glared furi-
ously stream of blood spurted from her
trunk as she filled the air with piercing roars.
With tremendous effort she raised herself on
her fore feet-no longer docile but thrash
ing her head to and fro with the effort
of reaching some one with her trunk,
which coiled in the air like serpent For a
moment it looked if she would lift her whole
body to her feet once more, but the strain was
too great Her cries deepened into groan, and
she fell back heavily on the ground The move
ment had placed her body in a better position.
| The keeper pointed his rifle back of one of the
animals ears and fired. A CULVER went through
the great brown body, and then her eyes were
| turned back, current of black blood ran from
| the last wound, and in few moments Dutch
| Mary was dead. Less than five minutes were
occupied from the first shot until she had ceased
| breathing The body will be taken to the render
ing factory in E. Thirty eighth street to-day
The legs were cut off at the lower joints. Two
were sent to Mr. Bailey, one was kept by DR..
| Liantard and one for the park. They will be
| treated by a taxidermist and made into stools as
souvenirs of Dutch Mary. She was valued at
| 90 100