The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1896-07-28
eUZZARD'S ELEPHANT.
He Was Feeling Lively and Bought .
stranded Menagoris.

He Was Feeling Lively and Bought q
Stranded Menagoris.
There was Il circus in Denver theother
day and il reminded US Of old man Bur
Eard and the time he had an elephant
On his hands 10 Pueblo. Buzzard was a
Texas droyer and had just come up from
the panhandle with herd of cattle
which he sold on the Arkansas TO John
lliff and had received several thousand
dollars in payment. A circus and
travelling menGgerie had just been
stranded in Pueblo and the sheriff was
selling of the show property under an
execution. Buzzard was just about full
enough on this day to be fascinated by
a thing of that sort, and he commenced
bidding on everything that was offered
for sale. A big snake II feet long was
knocked down to him for $500. Next
he bid $500 for Bengal tiger and got
him. A big elephant brought 81, 900 and
Buzzard became the owner. He bid on
everything in such a reckless manner
that the sheriff and the show Deorle
were IN an ecstasy of delight. The
Judgment was soon satisfied, and the
show people had more surplus money
coming to them than their whole outfit
originally cost.
Buzzard paid for everything, and, be-
ing troubled with an irresistible desire
10 treat everybody, he soon had the show
people, and everyone who would drink
with him, as full as himself. A big
crowd was following the old man from
place to place and the saloons were reap
ing rich harvest Finally BuZzard con-
cluded to have q show at night and q
grand procession instantly. The mem
bers of the brass band were full OF en-
thusiasm and everything else supplied
by the average Pueblo bar. The circus
horses were hitched TO the wagons and
cages, aud the big elephant was brought
out and saddled. Buzzara was suddenly
seized with doubt as to whether his
proper place was on the back Of the ele-
plant or in the cage with the lions. The
circus people, discovering that he was ap-
parently ON ipexhaustible mine Of gold,
whisky and fun, were not disposed to
feed him to the lions yet awhile and
they persuaded him that the post of
honor and danger was on the back OF
the royal elephant
Dressed like an Arab sheik, with
turban and sword, followed by Mrs. Duz.
card and the children who had como up
from Texas with the mess wagon, ar
ranged in a manner that suggested
Comanche sTlaws or wild Circassians,
they mounted the big elephant. The
circus people could hardly keep their
Dixie" and the procession started
through the steets. All the town was
at windows or on the housetops watch
ing and enjoying the fun, for by this
time everybody bad heard of Buzzard.
Down on Santa Fe avenue near the Ar
kansas the elephant stopped and began
70 sway his trunk. Whether a spirit OF
deviltry suddenly possessed the ele-
plant, >,r whether the spirit of devii'ry
originated with the conductor and was
communicated to the elephant In some
mysterious way. the deponert saith not
Certain it Is that the elephant made
straight for the river and in he plunged.
It was in vain that Buzzard roarsd. Mrs.
Buzzard shrieked and the children
saualied The elephant marched
straight into the deep water, and. filing
his trunk full, turned il over bis head
and poured a food into the houdah.
nearly drowning the Buzzards.
Old Buzzard fourished his sword and
roared like lion. Finally the elephant
laid down and rolled over. Buzzard was
q good swimmer and managed TO get 70
the shore with his wife and chUd~n.
Seated on the bank. with the muddy |
water dripping from them. they pre-
eented picture 20 excite pity. but tie
spectators laughed until everybody was
hnarse. The Buzzaris remained
canped On the banks until the sur went
down. They seemed TO have realized
that they had been furnishing anuse-
men. for the town. and the old man sud
denly developed belliesrentspirit tha,
caused people, 20 do their laughing q. Q
ds.ancs Every time anyone ap
preached tben be would flourish bin
sword and swear like pirate The z1s
went down on his wrath and IL hid ths
puzzards forever.-Denver Field enc
Farm