The San Francisco call., 1896-03-19
A RAMPAGING ELEPHANT.
1t Swept Away Cages, Chains, Fences
and Trees Like a Cyclone.


1t Swept Away Cages, Chains, Fences
and Trees Like a Cyclone.
Broken fences and uprooted saplings in
the geological garden mark where Queen,
the elephant who has been in winter quar-
ters went out on rampage. Superin-
tendent Sol Stephan is nursing a sprained
ankle, several keepers are suffering with
minor bruises, and "Jack" Robinson be-
means the demolition of a fine buggy, and
Queen still holds the fort. The trouble
arose in the attempt to move the elephant
to Mr.. Robinson's stables at Terrace Park.
Monday afternoon Mr.. Robinson pur-
chased all the animals belonging to the
United Printing Company, which have
been in winter quarters at the Zoo The
lot comprised two lions, two panthers, one
leopard. one hyena, one sacred bull, four
monkeys and the elephant called Queen.
He arrived with his men and wagons at
the garden and no difficulty was expert
enced in getting them loaded and on their
way to their destination. Queen was left
to the last, and in anticipation of trouble
the animal was hobbled. procedure
which consists in running stout chains
around the iorelegs of sufficient lengths to
allow only an ordinary stride. In addition
to this thick rope about sixty feet in
length was attached to one of her forelegs,
at the other end of which dozen keepers
had firm hold.
The journey from the shed past the res
taurant was uneventful. Jack Robinson
in his buggy was bringing up the rear
when suddenly. as if the animal for the
first time understood that she was to be
removed from her cozy quarters and the
mpanionship of Hadne and Little
Tommy, the two other elephants, Queen
turned BY dexterous pull on the Ines
harms way. Superintendent Stephan,
with pitehfork in his hands, tried to stop
the maddened animal. Two keepers
drove the heavy iron prongs used to SUBJ
due elephants into each ear. The men at
the rope tugeed and braced themselves
for a pull. Like pigmies Queen swept
them aside. The prongs of the fork en-
tered her trunk, but with twist she
broke them off.
With a shake OF her huge head she
tossed TO the ground the men who held
the prods, and those that c!ung to the
rope she dragged along until they were
glad to release their hold. Then, with a
snort OF rage. she drove her head to the
fence. pushing the boards aside like reeds.
Another plunge, and she broke through
the aviary containing the golden pheas-
ants, tearing down the heavy wire netting
like cobwebs and giving the bright
plumaged occupants their freedom. Clear
ing the road at run, she pulled down
another aviary, and made her way toward
the restaurant.
Just as all thought that the huge beast
was about to launch itself against the
glass doors. Hadne. in the building below,
sent out cry. Queen heard it. and
trotted leisnrely toward the winter quar-
ters. The doors were closed. but Queen
used her head as ram, and locks and bars
gave way. With another blow of her
trunk she broke down the slight barrier
between her and Little Tommy, and when
the keeper came up shortly afterward she
was contentedly munching hay beside her
diminutive companion.
Mr.. Robinson, however, was determined
not to be outwitted. by an elephant, and
under his direction additional chains were
procured, with which Queen was once
more loaded. When everything was in
readiness she was taken out the rear door
and in different direction toward Avon
dale. Bv dint of blows and shortened
chains, which made progress slow, they
managed to drive the animal a distance of
about five squares from tie garden. Five
times Queen turned, but convenient tree, .
about which the men had thrown the rope,
stopped her retreat.
When Wilson avenue was reached the
trees gave out, anu Quetu Seeuleu 10 KNOW
that her time had come. In twinkllng
she snapped her chains. With kick she
sent Superintendent Stephan sprawling.
A whir of her foreleg and the men who
clung to the rope flew III every direction
Then. lifting her trunk on high and utter
ing cry of defiance, she began a lumber
ing iog-trot back to the garden. A fence
was once more in her path, but she went
through it without finching. Some young
saplings stood in the way, ana she up
rooted them rather than turn aside. In
short time she was back again with Little
Tommy as contented as before, and it was
deemed advisable to postpone her removal
for few days at least.
When Mr.. Robertson returned for his
buggy, which he had left standing near
the monkey-heuse, be found 1t hanging by
the hind wheels OH the fence of the elk in