Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-05-01

in the fall or coming spring. for while Dunk
has been given outright, Gold Dust has only
been loaned temporarily.
Ever since the statement was first made pub
lie that Mr.. Cooper had decided to present the
zoo with an elephant the coming Of the pachy-
derm was watched for with the greatest interest
and at the circus Dunk. who occupied promi-
nent position at the end of the herd nearest the
entrance was the center Of an admlring throng
He wore spread out over his great broad backs
white canvas cloth, on which was emblazoned
the statement that he was the one that had
been selected to spend the rest Of his days in
peace and quiet at the nations capital His
days in a tent and his nights spent in crowded
now relegated to the category Of things that
have been but are not.
THE FORMAL TRANSFER OF DUNK.
Yesterday afternoon while the show was
going on in the great ring tent and the ring
masters we're cracking their whips and the
clowns their jokes an almost equally interest
ing scene was being enacted under the great
stretch of canvas that covered the menagerie
The big herd Of elephants were in their accus-
toned place in the center Of the tent with
Dunk at one end, idly swinging his trunk and
looking around to see if perchance there might
be stray peanut he had overlooked in the noise
and confusion preceding the show In all prob
ability he did not know that it was his last ap-
pearance with Forepaugh's.
interest for the time was conferred in Dunk and
for whom the rest of the circus had no attrac-
ton. 1t was made up of Mr.. Cooper, Mr.. G.
o. Starr and others of his assistants in the bust
ness: DR.. Frank Baker, the acting manager Of
the Geological Park; Mr.. A. B. Baker. the
property clerk; Mr.. W. H. Blackburne, the
head keeper of the animals at the park. and a
STAR reporter. who was on hand to stay with
the procession until the transfer should be
made. Capt. Densmore Of the White House
was present as an interested spectator of the
proceedings and later on Senator Morrill, and
Secretary Langley Of the Smithsonian Joined
the party for a few moments During the con-
versation that took place some one remarked
that the new acquisition would be
very lonesome as the only elephant
in big park, whereupon Mr.. Cooper
generously offered to remedy that trout
BILE by lending another elephant for the sum-
mer to keep him company. The offer was
gladly accepted by DIR. Baker, and Gold Dust,
a smaller animal was picked out as being best
suited for the purpose. Fortunate is the man
elephant flesh and still have enough left for all
his needs. Mr.. Cooper expressed the greatest
interest in the new zoo and said that if the ar
engagements could be made he would be very
glad to winter a large part Of his menagerie out
there at the close OF the present season.
START FOR THE zoo.
About $50 o'clock 1t was decided that every-
thing was ready for the start to be made. The
foot chains were removed from Dunk and
great OK chain passed around his neck. In
few minutes he was yoked up short by the neck
to Gold Dust and BAIL, an animal who was
selected to go out with the other two to keep
them in good humor. BAIL is young noun
tain in size, but Is noted for the wonderful
sweetness Of her disposition.
Dunk, who was one of the largest elephants
in the herd, is still in the prime OF youth, be-
II IL hnyr fxua w. 81 -
age. This is on the supposition that he was
five years old when first captured, for he has
been in the show business for twenty-one years
past. He weighs in the neighborhood Of four
tons. He l. In every way fine specimen, the
only objection to him being that he and Dick,
another one of the big fellows, cherish . long
standing grudge and have always made trouble
every chance they could get. 1t was thought
that they would both get along better If they
were separated from each other, and the zoo Il
the gamer by the feud.
''Steady, now, Dunk; steady there, Gold
Dust, said Mr.. Patsy Meagher. the head ele-
plant keeper Of the circus He was the master
Of ceremonies. Now, 60 ahead there" and
the three ungainly brutes started for the
further end of the tent, where a big opening
was quickly made for them. Before emerging
from the grounds q brief halt was made while
a photographer took a couple Of pictures of
the motley group, men and animals punched
together, with the big tent for background.
ORDER OF THE PROCESSION.
Then the procession started on its long march
out to the zoo. First came Head Keeper Black
burne, Mr.. Frank Kellogg and Mr.. VIM. Moore
of the circus staff and The STAR reporter, all
on horseback Then came Mr.. A. Is. Baker and
Mr.. Richard Sweeny in the light wagon that be-
longs to the park. and last. but by no means
the least. came the three elephants, with Dunk
in the place of honor on the left. Patsy Meagher
rode beside his charges mounted on big white
circus horse. He had with him q couple Of as
sistants who travelled on foot.
1t was quite q procession that attended the
first animals that should enter the new park to
stay there. All that was needed was brass
band and q painted wagon to make it q real
circus parade, and in fact 1t attracted almost
| as much attention all along the route. Big
crowds of small boys Of every color followed
the procession all the way out to the park.
The fact that there were three elephants in
stead Of one, as had been expected gave rise
to no end Of comment from the small boys and
from the older people as well, who were quite
as interested spectators, although they did not
follow on as far.
The men ON horseback at the head of the
calvacade kept block or two ahead to warn
| all drivers that there were three elephants
coming and they had best turn down the side
| streets, for there are not many things in this
world that will brighten q horse as much AZ the
sight or smell Of an elephant As rule the
advice was needed, but there were few driy-
ers who knew it all and kept straight on. In
almost every case they had cause to regret
| their rashness. for whether they were driving
| a carriage, brick wagon or . coal cart their
steeds did the best they could to bolt from
this danger that they knew not Of aud be
genuine runaways. Fortunately there we're no
| serious accidents, though there were any num-
| Der Of narrow escapes.
FIRM IN ROCK CREEK.
The line Of march lay along New Jersey ave-
nue. to street, to 10th, to U, to 18th and out
on the hill and thence by way of the old quarry
road down into the valley of Rock Creek.
| There we're no mishaps and the three big ele-
| plants kept up their ambling walk that looks
slow and awkward. but that really kept the
horses In a steady jog trot almost all the time
| When the creek was reached the elephants
| made rush for the water and there they stood
knee deep in the flowing stream. drinking deer
draughts and squirting streams over them
selves and each other and enjoying Themselves
to their great big hearts delight. II was
curious sight. Elephants are very fond Of the
water, ii seems and this was the first chance
they had had since the circus started on thu
road this season to really have good play il
running water and they made the best Of tn,
opportunity.
From the creek it Ia no great distance up tn,
hill to the new elephant house that is still i,
an incompleted state. The roof 10 not finished
yet, but the heavy plank floor was all ready fo
the big burden II will have to bear henceforth
Arrangements had only been made for one ami
NAL. and Gold Dust, as being rather the les
/ l.osla - 49, Al