The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1891-05-16
LIVING WITH ELEPHANTS
sEarnnm,s veteran Trainer Tells of
Thirsy-One Years OF Iife Under the
Circus Tenf-Isow Jumbo Was
Transported--An Interesting Chat.

As an authority upon the habits,
training, care and history OF the ele-
plant in captivity. there Is no one WHO
J. more competent 10 speak than ''Ele-
phanl" Bill Newman, the veteral tram
er in charge OF Barnum's herd.
Newman's first experience with the
show business was in 1850. when lac
threw up his position in "A New York
clothing store and joined Nixon Amars
strolhng ''hippodrome" entertainment.
Since that time Newman has had
charge OF the elephants OF almost
every circus that has ira yelled. He has
been sixteen years with Barnum. join
ing him in 1875. Since that time he
has witnessed the ups and downs OF
Bnrnum'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 TO 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. II had
control 81 the herd, tlSe 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. aud II was many
weeks before they reco vered from their
fright.
About bad elephants? WE'LL guess
so. In March, 1889, was attempting
10 pacify Emperor. Il vciou, brute. He
didn't like my Interference. and threw
me through IA window. | carried with
me sash and all | am afraid that En-
peror carried with him 20 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.
Barnum ordered him shot. preferring 20
sacrifice SO, 900 worth of animal to the
possibilities OF loss OF human life.
Pilot had become exceedingly hard TO
manage, aud on that day when | ven
tured near him in one Of his fits he
threw his head around suddenly. lncer-
ed my cheek and deftly removed six OF
my teeth. Then lie wrapped his big
trunk around my forehead, but
duced Just In time. He got my hat,
though. file chewed il for minute
or two, and then quickly took II from
J his mouth and threw il savagely at me.
When picked il up IL was simply Il
I pulpy mass After one or two OF these
| attacks Pilot was summarily disposed
| Of. 1t might almost be said that hC
committed suicide.
mo. an elephant Is nota courageo u'
beast. In the first place, he is afrai,
of any thing over his head. In our pa
rades we avoid elevated trains or an,
disturbance which is not on our level
i 1t isa fact that elephants have whole
some dread Of all little animals.
The ordinary elephant is afraid OF |
horse. When we took Jumbo from Tia
Geological Gardens in London, when
l,e had been closely confined for seven
teen years, on the first sight OF n horse
he laid down in the middle OF the street
and all Of our entreatles and request
nvailed nothing. The Superintendent
OF the London Society for the Proven
tion OF Cruelty TO Animals, who WA
my constant guardian at that time, re
fused TO allow prod 20 be used. Tia
is why Jumbo had TO be put IN "A crat
and carted like load OF iron.
"Mr. DaN is and myself. who went I
London. bought Jumbo.and attended 1
his transportation. had an eXceedingl
hard time OF it. We bought the ANNA