The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-16
LIVING WITH ELEPHANTS
ELEPHANT" BILL TALKS ABOUT
HIS WORK.
Earnum-s Veteran Trainer Tells or
Thirfy-One Years OF Iiie Under the
Circus Tent-How Jumbo Was
fransported--An Interesting Chat.

Az an authority upon the habits,
training. care and history OF the ele-
plant IN captivity, there is no one who
- more competent 10 speak than 'Ele-
plant Bill Newman, the veteran tram
er in charge OF Barnum's herd.
Newman's first experience with the
show business was In 1860. when he
threw up his position in a New York
clothing store and joined Nixon Amar' 3
strolling ''hippodrome" entertainment
Since that time Newman has had
charge OF the elephants OF almost
every circus that has travelled. lie has
been sixteen years with Barnum, join
ing him I'm 1878. Since that time he
has witnessed the ups and downs OF
Barnum's career: was in charge OF the
herd OF elephants at the time OF the
great Bridgeport fire OF November,
1877: negotiated the purchase OF
Jumbo and made all arrangements for
his removal 10 this country, and Las
been considered one OF those fixtures OF
the circus upon which time and cir
cumstances have no effect
AT the time OF the famous Bridge
port fire." said Mr.. Newman, Il had
control Of the herd, five OF whom died.
-Four were consumed in the building
and the other, an exceedingly intelli-
gent brute, ran into the chilly waters
of Long Island Sound and died from the
effects OF the shock. IL was a day or
two before we succeeded in getting the
herd together again. and IL was many
weeks before they recovered from their
fright.
About bad elephants? WelI.f guess
so. In March, 1889, was attempting
IN ~ Nt.. Ia
didn't like my interference, and threw
me through window. l carried with
me sash and ALL l am afraid that En-
peror carried with him Co his dying
day the marks of hot irons subsequent
ly used on his person On April 3. 1888.
we shot Pilot, big bull elephant Mr.
Rarnum ordered him shot. preferring 10
sacrifice $40, 900 worth of animal TO the
possibilities OF a loss OF human lifo.
Pilot had become exceedingly hard TO
manage, and on that day when / ven
tured near him in one OF his fits lie
threw his head around suddenly, LAGER
ted my cheek and deftly removed six OF
my teeth. Then he wrapped his big
trunk around my forehead but |
duced just in time. He got my hat,
though. IlIe chewed il for minute
or two, and then quickly took u from
ms mouth and threw il savngely at me.
When picked il up IL was simply Il
pulpy mass. After one or two OF these
attacks Pilot was summarily disposed
Of. IL might almost be said that he
committed suicide.
mo, an elephant is not courageo as
beast. In the first place. he is afraid
OF anything over his head. In our pa.
rades we avoid elevated trains or any
disturbance which is not on our level
IL i,a fact that elephants have "A whole.
come dread OF all little animals.
The ordinary elephant is afraid Of q
horse. When we took Jumbo from the
Geological Gardens in London. where
he had been closely confined for seven
teen wears, on the first sight OF n horse
he laid down in the middle OF the street.
and all OF our entreaties and requests
awaited nothing. The Superintendent,
Of the London Society for the Proven
ton OF Cruelty to Animals, who was
my constant guardian at that time, re-
fused TO allow n prod TO be used. That
Is why Jumbo had TO be put In a crate
and carried like load OF iron.
'Nir. Davis and myself, who went &c
London. bought Jumbo,and attended Il
his transportation. had an exceedingly
hard time Of IL. We bought the ANNA