The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-02-14
TOM JOHNSON'S ELEPHANT.
A Trip from Cleveland TO New York
That Was Full of Incident.
New York Tribune.


New York Tribune.
Tom l.. Johnson. of Ohio and New York.
is the owner of an elephant named Duchess,
which is at present lodged in the Central
Park menagerie, having been lent to the
city for the winter When Mr. Johnson last
fall found that business would compel his
constant presence in this city for some
months, he decided to close his Cleveland
home and to transport his lares and penates
temporarily to New York. 1t seemed SIM
pie thing to do. and the preparations were
going swimmingly along when suddenly the
disposing OF Duchess for the winter raised
certain complications. Duchess had long
been the pet of the family, and she must
be placed where it was certain she would
receive the best of care. A curious dfidence
developing among the stabemen Of Cleve-
land about housing Duchess, which even
the promise of an enhanced money payment
seemed unable to overcome. it was at length
determined to bring her here.
The morning of the start was beautiful
one. and Mr.. Johnson determined to walk
to the station with Duchess. lie according
ly left his Cleveland home OH foot, with tue
elephant swaying along in his wake At the
railway station the first OF The series of
difficulties occurred. No provision in the
way of a special car had been made, it being
supposed that, being small Tor an elephant
and as gentle as kitten, Duchess would
be allowed to travel in the baggage car just
IS dog would.
The baggage master fatty declined to ad-
NIT her to the station, and the regular bag
gageman who was to accompany the train
said s'Well, maybe that elephant Will
travel in the baggage car, but If she does
she viii have to do the baggage smashing,
oh IT..
son was in despair; time was precious, ana
he must take this particular train. a SUD
den thought came to him, ana, gaining Ior
the baggage masters instructions and
pointing to that clause relating TO the
checking of trunks, he demanded that
Duchess's trunk be checked to New York.
The defeated baggage master attached
check to her proposcls, and, as tney were
unable to detach the trunk from the rest OF
the elephant, Mr.. Johnson trtumphantiy ac-
companied his pet to the train Here the
baggage smasher again interposed, but was
won over by a liberal tip, coupled with an
introduction in due form to Duchess. she
acknowledged the courtesy with Il graceful
bow and with her trunk shook the bag
gage master cordially by the hand, over
coming both his scruples and his fears. The
journey east was accomplished without Iur-
Their incident, save that at every station
where q stop was made large crowds as
sembled around the baggage car. ,a,.o
the car until it was taken 10 siding,
where platform enabled her to step out
on the same level as the floor of the car
Previous to this, however, the baggage
agent had collected a large sum of money
from Mr. Johnson on the eXeess-Daggag rs
baggage in excess of $50 pounds per pas
sepger As Duchess weighs about three
tons the bill was heavy, and when further
navment for the elephant was demanded on
account of shifting the Car TO the sldlng MI.
Johnson refused it. The baggaggte ,. master laser
son said "all right" and started to leave
the station and Duchess started to follow.
The baggage master attempted to interfere,
har
from the swaying trunk suddenly decided
him to forego his intention; and the pair
deDarted without further molestatlon.
As Mr.. Johnson and Duchess sauntered
down Fifth avenue hand III trunk, although
it was late in the evening, they rapidly
accumulated an accompanying crowd,
which was OF enormous proportion by the
time they reached their destination, the
Waldorf. Here admission was denied
Duchess and Mr.. Boldt was Indignantly
summoned. Mr.. Boldt backed up the re-
fusal of the doorkSeper and MAS dear al, 10
edged that dogs and other animals belong
ing to guests were occasionally lodged IN
the basement of the Waldorf, but the line
was and had always been drawn at ele-
plants Mr.. Johnson changed his tune and
demanded that Duchess's trunk be de-
posted in the trunkroom, threatening SUIT
il this was not done. Mr.. Boldt sent for
carver and ordered him to detach the trunk:
Mr.. Johnson interfered and acknowledged
that his bluff called.
During this discussion with Mr.. Boldt
Duchess added greatly to the JOY OF the BY
Me Loose" through her threatened trunk.
BY this time so dense a crowd hau as
sembled that an outlying Policeman, think1
ing a riot was in progress. sent IN q can
for the reserves, who shortly arrived on
the scene The captain the OF the moving
johnson he must move on with his show,
under penalty of arrest. Mr.. Johnson wear
fly said arrest would be relief, and de-
manded that he and his companion be
taken TO the station house. me captain,
for reasons of his own, changed ms tactics
and said no. AT thisa point a bystander
offered the use of vacant stable Tor a con-
sideraton. which offer was eagerly ac-
cepted and Duchess was III this way hhaily
The next day it was decided to keep the
stable indefinitely, but the question of eT-
ants had to be provided and Duchess de-
threaten the Johnson fortune with ruin. for
she was ike the elephant in Wang" where
THE elephant ate all night.
The elephant ate all day.
And he had 10 labor all the time
TO keep that beast IL hay.
Mr. Johnson I'm desperation was contem-
plating giving her TO some circus. when
request for hei loan TO the city cleared up
Duchess likes tho change. as she has two
companions IF her own species.
When il became known around town that
Tom l.. Johnson owned an elephant much
speculation arose - 70 the why and where
fore Of such own,ership; Qn ne astute POI,
this way tom Johnson, said he. lis sly,
sir: dev-lish sly. and he never does any
thing without a motive. The elephant has
long been considered TO represent the G. O.
r. IN cartoons. and while Johnson poses as
a Democrat although he did lead the Henry
George forces in the last mayoralty cam
paign in my opinion his bringing this ele-
phant TO New York" sinking hfs voice to
a whisper at this point. is intended as a
hint 10 the Republican leaders that no
(JohnsOn) Is open 70 persuasion and willing
to become Il Republican"
4 rival troley-car magnate in Brooklyn
sized up the situation from another point
of view saying: It's an open secret that
Tom l.. is dissatisfied with the motive pow
er NOW In use his Brooklyn trolley lines
and feel sure the presence of this elephant
IS an indication Of his intention OF making
"a change, / have il on good authority that
he IS wintering a large herd of The animals
IN tho South and you mark my words. next
summer will find elephants in use on his
coneT Island lines, where their novelty
should make them an instantaneous sue
Mr.. johnson says nothing, maintaining
an imAenetrable silence on the subject