Madison times. (Tallulah, Madison Parish, La.) 1884-1???, 1886-01-02
PERSONAL "REMINISCENCES OF JUMBO.
BIZ HIS KEEPER, MATTHEW SCOTT.

BIZ HIS KEEPER, MATTHEW SCOTT.
1t was in December, 1851, that my
name was entered on the books of the
Royal Geological Sociesy's Garden, at
Regents Park, in London. Twas then
IL years of age, and my great desire
to be constantly among the animals
which l had visited over and over
again was finally gratified.
My work as assistant keeper was Ia
boriOus, but did not shirk my duties
for fear of discharge. and the pleasure
found i'm making friends of the dumb
beasts made The work ng hours pass
quickly by. The most ferocious and
the widest animals seemed to be the
ones liked best. and whenever an
elephant arrived ut the garden l was
usually the first to make friends with
him. Sometimes l found it impossi-
BILE to gain their confidence. and /
might tell of many struggle with a
treacherous wildcat or hyena-
l well remember when 1t was an
nounccd. eighteen years ago, that an
African elephant. with immense ears
Ike fo.d ng parlOr doors, would soon
arrive, and the managers decided to
put me in charge OF him. There was
great excitement when the boat ar
rived from Paris. and it seemed as if
all the boys and girls in London turn
ell out to see him. The little elephant
was curiosity on account of his
peculiar shape and big ears, and the
members of several learned societies
came to examine him. The name ]
gave him, Jumbo, had no particular
significance; in fact, don't think /
had ever heard it.
From the natives where he was
captured It was learned that Jumbo
WAS years of age, and took delight
in tell ny the Wis tors that he would
glow to be the biggest elephant in the
world. This l judged from the
peculiar size and proportions OF his
bones in relation 10 the body. and
resolved soon afterward that would
make study Of feeding him. lie
was then sckly and in g. had state
Of health generally. Jumbo aud my
self were fast friends the first time we
met and he would be governed by none
of the other keepers. He was like
great good natured boy, and he took
q special fancy to children and ladies,
and was never 50 happy us when he
could carry back load of little ones
around the park. HIS passengers in
cluded children OF royalty and nobility,
and as he grew rapidly, n larger sad.
die was necessary every few months.
One day rs JUMBO was pass NO
through crowd he suddenly stopped,
aud would not move an inch when [
commanded him to proceed. From
my seat in the saddle observed that
lady below was much agitated as she
came running toward Jumbo Lean
ing over the side of the saddle, / saw
that child OF of 3 years had fallen
IN our pathway land was lying between
Jnmbo's fore-feet. The beast would
not stir until he had taken up the in.
FAINT tenderly in his trunk and passe
It over 10 the mother.
Mr.. Barnum, ten years ago, saw
Jumbo at the Gardens, and tried 10
purchase him. When he offered $50.
700 for him, was afraid the directors
would let him go, and that l would
lose my best friend. l didn't have
much to say to the great Snowman
and was net ut all anxious to exhibit
the points of my big elephant, until
alter the manager of the Garden had
assured me they would never allow
The animal to 60 TO America for any
price Six years ago, however, Jumbo
had turns of !retfulness which alarm
ed the directors, and they even went
% I. rs to purchase blunderbusses
with which to shoot him If he became
mad aud unmanageable. told them
that elephants were social animals, and
what ailed Jumbo was the want of
society with his own species.
As Mr.. Barnum had q score or two
OF elephants in his great American
show, Mr.. A. ID. Cartlett, Superinten-
dent OF the Geological Gardens, advis-
od the sale OF jun DO nc a greatly re-
duced price. Mr.. Barnum offered
elOlOO0. and the directors accepted il.
On the condition that he should take
: him MS he stood, rs they would run no
risk OF removing him. The bargain
was made and It was the happiest DAYS
OF my life when found that l was TO
accompany my old friend across the
water,
The journey is familiar to every bow
and girl in the laid. Even those who
have not seen Jumbo on his travels
through the country have read how
Jumbo was boxed up and hoisted
aboard the steamer. Assyran Mon
arch BY means of enormous derricks.
and how. on his arrival in New York
n April in 1882, every paper in the
land had columns of interesting news
about the wonder. nj beast that had
now grown to be the largest known
animal in the world.
When Jumbo had got TO be Q good
sized boy another African elephant
vas brought to the Geological Gar
dena This was q female, and We
named her Alice. She is now there,
and her age Is 20 years, four years less
than Jumbo's age. She is of the
same build, and very affectionate, but
does not display the same affection for
1hildren.
Jumbo and Alice always went out |
and whenever he was taken
Tor promenade she was uneasy I'M
les she could go too. Her affection
'or me was very marked, and when l
'oturn to England l expect to be
|reeted by her with cordial demon
efations Of elephant pleasure. She
re- growing fast when left her, and
- boD six or seven wears to grow ret