The Maryville times. (Maryville, Tenn.) 1884-1944, 1886-06-23
A HERD or MAD ELepHANra

A HERD or MAD ELepHANTA
How Jumbo saved His Keeper-Halting
stampedsd Herd.
Philadelphia Timesl
Talking about the sagacity of ele-
plants" said William H. Gardner, one
of Barnum's advance agents. II tell
you they know a good deal more than
some human beings that l run across
once in awhile. Their cuteness is sim
ply wonderful To prove what say I
need only tell you what happened un-
der my own observation. The show
made stand one day last season at the
town Of Ottumwa, Iowa. One of the
sideshow tents was put up before the
main tent in order to conceal Jumbo
from the countrymen. While George
Arstingstall and William Newman, the
principal elephant trainers connected
with Barnum's show, were away at
their breakfast the thirty one elephants
that form the herd were lett under the
care of the subordinate keepers.
"Old Chieftain, the giant of the herd,
who also has the honor of being the
father of Columbia, the Bridgeport baby
elephant, had shown signs OF uneasi-
ness for some days before the arrival of
the show at Ottumwa and Arstingstall
went to his breakfast convinced that he
would behave himself during his ab-
sence. No sooner had Arstingstall and
Newman disappeared than old Chief
tain, relieved of the restraint Of his pres
ence, began to show his true nature.
Without giving sign of the rage that
was in him he charged one of the under
keepers, seized him with his trunk and
threw him fully thirty feet. Fortunately
the keeper struck upon the shelving side
of the side-show tent and was not badly
hurt. Not satisfied with this exhibition
of his strength, Chieftain broke the
chain that, fastened to stake in the
ground and to one of his fore legs, was
considered strong enough under ordi.
nary circumstances to resist even his
power and, having freed himself from
its bondage, began q loud trumpeting
that could be heard mile away.
Elephants are something like village
dogs, who always bark in unison They
never trumpet unless they are fighting
mad, and when one trumpets all that
hear him join in the chorus. The loud
noise made by Chieftain excited the
whole herd, most Of whom were fastened
by ropes only, and q general stampede
began. The under keepers ran for their
lives and did not stop until they had
gained the shelter of q neighboring
hotel. Meanwhile Chieftain, who has q
special grudge against 'Scotty,' the
keeper who has had charge Of jumbo
ever since his arrival in this country
made his way to the side.show tent IL
which Jumbo was standing. But rapid
as were his movements he could not de.
ceive the king OF elephants, who seemed
to know instinctively what the infuri
ated beast was in search of. Seizinf
'Scotty' unceremoniously with hi
mighty trunk Jumbo lifted him a
easily a. Q man would lit . baby, anl
placing him between bis forelegl
reached out with his trunk an(
trumpted q challenge that seemed t,
say, Touch him if you dare"
THE bold front OF Jumbo, and BIZ
monstrous sire, seemed to awe Chief
tain, furious and revengeful as he was
and he came to full stop few feel
from the entrance to the tent. Just a
this moment Mr.. Bailey, one Of the pro
prietors Of the show, who had owned
Chieftain for several years and had beel
familiar with him, entered the tent ant
fearlessly approached the Infatuated ele
plant. He had the narrowest escape o.
his life. Swinging his trunk around
Chieftain sought to crush him. Thank
to his agility, Mr.. Bailey was enabled
to evade the stroke, but, seeing that tn,
beast was beyond his control, he crawleC
under the canvas. BY this time nearly
all the elephants had broken theil
tethers and stampeded down the mali
street Of the village. Chieftain, as. i
thinking twice about joining issue will
Jumbo, rushed through the canvas wal
of the tent as II it were tissue pape
and Joined his companions.
'As the herd stampeded down tn
street they had to pass the hotel a
which Arstingstall and Newman wer
breakfasting. The latter rushed on
into the street bareheaded while tn
herd were within thirty feet of the from
door, and holding up both hands, a
was his habit when performing them il
their military drill, he shouted: HALT
The command was obeyed instantly an
the herd drew themselves into line O
battle as methodically as though the
were in the ring performing befor
thousands of spectators. In a few min
utes they marched quietly back to tn
circus grounds and submitted passivel
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