The evening herald. [volume] (Shenandoah, Pa.) 1891-1966, 1894-08-24
ELEPHANT TANNING.
HOW THE GREAT BEAST is CAPTURED
AND DoMEsTlcATED.

Wins His Friendship by Deception.
At Ayuthia, in Siam, is situated the
great elephant corral where the wild ele-
plants are not only captured, but also re-
duced to subsection. The elephant is nat
urally one Of the subjects of greatest in
terest to the traveller in Siam, for in no
other country, save perhaps India, can
this animal be seen TO such advantage
Some years ago herds Of wild elephants
were large and numerous, but the mum Der
of herds is now greatly diminished, and
the herds themselves are smaller. This
diminution is mainly due TO the fact that
there is an increasing demand for the ele-
phant's labor, while, on the other hand,
they rarely breed IN captivity. All of the
herds of roaming elephants now practical
ly belong to the king. They inbabit the
northern part of the kingdom, and al
though not domesticated are not so wild
Rs they formerly were
When there is necessity for the capture
of number of these, or when there Is
some celsbrated parsonage visiting at the
Siamese court, the king may order an ele-
phant hunt, which is engaged In by thou
sands of persons and numbers of domesti-
GATED elephants. The capture Is effected
by surrounding and driving q herd to this
strong corral at Ayuthia. Sometimes the
herd is driven distancsof over 100 miles,
and a zest is given to the hunt on account
of the danger that attends it. Rarely h.
there an elephant hunt which does not re
suit in the death of one or two persons
and the wOuuding of many more.
The party is thoroughly organized and
undsr the control of certain well tried cap
thins of divisions. They procesd to the
ncighborhood of that herd from which it
is Intended TO make the capture and draw
3 Gordon about the entire herd. Among
the elephants taken to assist in the hunt
are certain animals that have been latest
captured and who are only half tanned.
These are now loosed and driven fntp the
foresty where they soon meet and frater
nize with the wilder animals, for very
likely some of these half tanned animals
have recently belonged to this herd
After short time, in which to allow
the two classes of animals to become &C
quainted with each other the hunters
commence closing in, at the same time
shouting, beating gongs and firing mus
kets loaded only with blank cartridges.
The herd become confused. No matter
which way they turn they meet these ir-
lNB hAdtA behlllos II Allthlll JAlb IoIuDI DAtuk1
away on shat side toward which it is in
tended to drive the herd. The word of
command is now given to the half tanned
elephants, mingled with the wild ones-a
word of command which they instructive
ly obey--and these start forthwith, lead
ing the herd in the desired direction.
The corral is a large inclosure formed of
a stockads of heavy tree trunks, each
about 12 to IA inches in diameter. These
are planted deep in the ground and extend
in height some IL to 10 feet The entire
corral is surrounded by high embank-
ment, walled, and just outside of this is a
large pavilion from which the royal party
and other invited spectators may in safety
witness the capture
The herd having been safely corralled,
the domesticated elephants are now di
vested Of their howdahs or saddles and
are also sent into the inclosure, and the
gateway is made secure. Then by word of
command these well tanned elephants fall
upon and beat the others, driving them
here and there within the stockade. The
frightened and infuriated animals exert
all their strength in efforts TO pull up or
break down the barriers and are soon
much fatigued. The hunters now, slip
ping in and out between the posts of the
stockade, place here and there, well with
in the inclOsure, stout nooses made of hide
and MANILA rope and in this manner sue
ceed in ensnaring by one of the feet, those
animals that it is desired to pture. The
moose being got once about the ami
mall foot, he is, from the outside of the
Enclosure, hauled bodily to the nearest part
of the stockade, elephants assisting on the
line If necessary, and is there left secured
until the entire lot have been captured 1t
Is in this part of the proceeding that the
greatest number of accidents occur. for
the hunters, feeling that the eyes of the
people are upon them, become reckless in
their movements and place themselves in
positions where false step means 30 be
hurled against the barriers or else tram
pied to death
The animals having been thus secured,
the gateway is unbarred, and the herd are
as rapidly driven back to tho locality from
| which they came by hznters especially de-
tailed for this purpose
The operation of tanning is a longer
! process, One of the animals that has been
/ secured is taken to this central stookade
/ or alleyway, First, however, each foot is
lassoed with long ropes, and these are
/ held, If necessary, by the tanned elephants,
who drag the poor beast between the two
rows of piles. His terrible trunk cannot
be fastened in any way, but each foot is
firmly tied to post, whereupon the men
themselves retire from the corral, leaving
two or three Of the most trustworthy ele
phants within the stockade TO torment the
captive. These, now 6bedient to order;
which they receive from their masters
proceed to lash the captive elephant with
their trunks, while the poor thing is pow
erless o. retadate.
After this tormenting has been carried
on for some time the Siamese who is iI
future to act as keeper to this elephant
comes into the corral and drives the tor
mentors away. The man now bring
buckets Of cold water and throws then
q upon the animals heated sides, speaks t.
him kindly and brings him bundles o
? grass. He even strokes the rough legs
} taking care however, to keep well out @
reach of the terrible proboscis
The man now retires, and the tormentor
are ordered to return, Again they las
/. the captive into a frenzy, and again tn
D keeper drives thgm away, pets and cool