The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-26
PET ELEPHANT DEAD.
Intelligent Animal MOurned and
Praised by Her Keepers.
Philadelphia Press.

Philadelphia Press.
News Of the death had been sent to the Acad-
envy of Natural Sciences and before the work or
removing the body had been completed David
McCadden the taxidermist of the academy was
on hand to make an examination of the hide
DR.. Henry C. Chapman, of the academy. was
also summoned. and as soon as the fence was
finished the work of dissection was begun. There
were a number of other medical men present
when Mr.. McCadden began operations, bv re-
moving the hide about the head, and within
short time the massive brain was removed. Then
the remainder of the hide was stripped and the
task of skeletonizing was soon under way.
From the tip of the trunk the body was about
eighteen feet in length and about five feet broad
across the back AS the animal is supposed to
have been about fifty years of age, Mr.. McCad-
den said this morning that the skeleton would be
one &c the finest in existence from the fact that
the bones will probably be very hard. The Sc
curing of the skeleton is matter of great salts
faction to the officials of the academy not only
for the reason that it will probably prove an
excellent specimen, but also because of the fact
that the academy has never before had one in
its collection. Great will, therefore be
taken to preserve it in all of its perfection.
Head Keeper Manley overcome by the
death of his huge pet, and as he gazed upon the
body he could scarcely restrain the tears OF sor-
while reviewing her amiable traits and her
long domestic career The keeper has learned to
love the members of the dumb creation, and they
have frequently shown their affection for him
and their appreciation of the kind treatment
received at his hands.
Concerning Jennie. however, his long acquain-
lance with her has served to intensity his grief
Prior to 1874 the animal was connected with
Spanish circus, which toured the islands of the
West Indies Mr. Manley with the show,
and then began the acquaintance with Jennie,
which has grown into an attachment of mutual
affection. In 1874 Mr.. Manley became connected
with the Zoo and in that year also the animal
became a member of the menagere there pur-
ing the past twenty-four years Jennie was most
amiabe. She had kind, loving disposition. and
never at any time eXhID the least tendency
towards hostility. All of the keepers loved her
and with the children w4-o visited the place she
prime favorite. Many who have since be-
come and women remember the delightful
rides which they enjoyed uron her broad, sub
stantial back She was as intelligent as she was
kind. is illustrated by story concerning her
treatment of children.
on one occasion a little girl while riding began
TO scream with terror she found herself slid
ing to the ground. Quick as fash Jennie swung
her trunk around and grasped the child and
placed her tenderly upon the ground. The child
ran screaming to her parents, frightened but
uniniured.
''she was gentle old girl" said Mr. Manley,
land cannot remember her having been any
thing but gentle. Down in the West Indies dur
ing the last Cuban rebellion she the trick
elephant of the show. She could walk tight
rope and could also stand on her head. Many
time have Frustrated myself the ground and
Jennie would walk carefully TO and fro across
my body without touching me. She would pick
my pockets and take everything out that she
could find Like all elephants, she was very
fond of peanuts. and frequently would place
bag of them in a coat pocket and then walk
close to her. She was sharp, and would in
variably detect the odor of the nuts, and would
scream with Impotence in order to induce me to
approach. Just l would draw near
she would begin her search and would pull
every pocket inside out until the bag was found.
Then with veil of triumph she would pull it
out of my pocket and place it in my hand. There
only thing to do then and would stand
and throw the peanuts into her mouth until all
were consumed 1 tell you, she was almost
human. and 1 feel if I had really lost friend.
During the twenty-four years that have
been at the Zoo l have become more attached
to her. In the elephants quarters here she has
continued tractable and kind, and / have often
gone through some of her old tricks like that one
n
She the delight of the children, and
the only elephant used by us for the purpose
of giving the youngsters an occasional ride.
''She has not been in good health for a year,
but we have been unable to help her. Her death.
| believe. was caused by rheumatism OF the
heart, although FOR some time she has evidently
suffered from abscess and kidney trouble.
Gradually she became weaker until Thursday
last, when we found that it impossible for
her to stand on her feet. That was the first
indication had that her illness was really
serious An elephant when i'll is very difficult to
handle. For slight reasons they seem to
become low-sprited. and their vitality is usually
greatly lowered. We therefore tried to raise
her. but our efforts proved of little avail Her
condition continued to grow worse until yester-
day. when she absolutely. refused to eat, and
from that time she sank rapidly.
IT arranged pen or a board fence so as to
separate her from other elephants, Empress
and Bolivar and within that incIosure she laid
in one position her right side until her death
She frequently suffered from rheumatism in the
front legs, the pain at times having been so
to prevent her from walking.
THE other elephants do not seem to have
noticed Jennie's death to any extent. Empress
has, however, been somewhat nervous over the
frequent attendance of the keepers upon the pet
of the group. Bolivar, however, who has a
record Of having killed three men, has not been
affected by the death of the animal. This morn
ing however. Empress has given vent to several
shrill shrieks. and it may be that she has
awakened to the truth. In 1885 we lost an ee-
plant Don Pedro, from rheumatism of the heart.
During the last hours of Jennie's illness the
keepers have been very attentive They looked
in at her last night at 1890 and again at mid
night. She appeared to be sleeping peacefully. At
4 O'Clock this morning it noticed that the
end was near. and at $50 she breathed her last.
Her skeleton will make excellent specimen,
but her hide is worthless In good condition
Jennie was valued at about 100000