Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-03-26
KILLED BY AN ELEPHANT
Gypsy's Keeper Jabbed Her With
an Iron Hook.
THE BEAST BECAME ENRAGED
Knocked Scott Through Board Fence and
Tore Things Up Generally.
A BRAVE WOMAN CAME TO THE RESCUE
She Attacked the Infuriated Animal With
Pitchfork and Put Her to Flight.
Was Finally Chained by the
Horse Trainer.
THE BEAST BECAME ENRAGED
A BRAVE WOMAN CAME TO THE RESCUE

Chicago March 25.-W. H. Harris big
elephant. Gypsy, became unmanageable
at Its winter quarters on the West Side
this afternoon and before she could be
got under control killed her keeper, tore
down a frame building and created great
excitement, which drew thousands of
people to the scene
Harris circus is quartered at the cor
ner of Roby and Jackson streets, in a
six-story building, and Gypsy occupies
the greater part of the first floor. Her
regular keeper is Bernard. He is at pres
ent in Omaha and the animal was tenn
porarily in charge of Frank Scott, lion
tanner Early this afternoon Scott, by
orders, took Gypsy out for ridein the
alley Gypsy did not seem inclined to
stop at the boundary of the alley and
Scott gave her jab with an iron hook.
The beast became enraged, and throwing
her keeper from her head, where he had
been riding, proceeded to pound him with
her trunk and succeeded In knocking
him through board fence. Mrs. Harris
came to the rescue with pitchfork. She
was knocked down, but pluckily jumped
up and commenced battle. She soon had
blood streaming from wounds in the ele-
phant's side and the beast ran away to-
wards the end of the alley. Here was
standing a large crowd, and many were
the bruises received in the scattering
which took place when the elephant
started out of the alley. Gypsy did not
go far, but went back for Scott, who in
the meantime had been moved into
wooden building, just opposite the ele-
phant's quarters. The animal knocked
in the whole side of the building in her
efforts to get at the man again.
During this time Mrs. Harris had sent
for all the bread and cake that could be
bought in the neighborhood, and also
telephoned for Claude Orton, the horse
trainer, who soon arrived. The elephant
uufeted down somewhat while she was
eating fifty loaves of bread. a large num-
ber of cakes and other delicacies, which
wer placed before her. After she had
fini,S,e ed eating she walked into her barn
and the heavy doors were shut after her.
The door had no soon been shut than the
elephant, with one blow, shattered 1t and
ran out again. By this time every street
In the vicinity was crowded with ex-
cited people. Three wagon loads of po-
lice came to the rescue, but could do moth
ing further than keep back the crowds.
None of them wanted to undertake the
lob of claiming the enraged beast and it
was impossible to kill her with their
small caliber weapons. The elephant had
her own way for about four hours, when
she went back in her stall and allowed
Orton to chain her.
Harris has owned the animal for five
years and has had no trouble with her
before. Frank Scotts right name is un-
known. He would never tell who he was,
although he has been with Harris circus
for six years. No one knows anything of
him, except that he went under an as
suned name. His body is in the hands
of an undertaken and will be buried from
the home of Mr.. Harris.