Iron County register. [volume] (Ironton, Iron County, Mo.) 1867-1965, 1901-06-27

"AAtC C1epHdnI known as the Light
OF Asia" which, from the descriptions
OF the few favored scribes who had
seen 1T. was a marvel of beauty and
color Rumors were also circulated
that Barnum's white elephant was not
genuine, but only a diseased or lep-
rous elephant with a "blaze'' of
cream color down its trunk, and dis
colored or spotted legs, while the
Philadelphia showman's animal was
of snowy ~whiteness, without spot or
blemish. Public sentiment ran high.
especially in Philadelphia, where the
hows eel to exhibit simultaneous
~. While public opinion was divided as
to the genuineness of these sacred
animals. it may be well to saw that
the Barnum animal was as good a
specimen of the genuine white ele-
plant as could be procured, while the
Philadelphia elephant, pretty as a
picture and superbly snow white in
color, was supposed TO he a lively
Stake"
While on exhibition. this Light of
Asia" was almost entirely covered
with a black velvet-spangled cloth,
and the trunk had been manipulated
in such a way that visitors could
touch it, and as no coloring matter
came off on their hands. I presume
that part of the body had in some
way been "sized'' or enameled.
During the performance the white
elephant would be introduced and
stripped of its velvet trapings on the
elevated stage between the two rings,
while a learned professor" d~escanted
eloquently on opposition in general
and the genuineness of this white
elephant in particular. So well was this
part of the programme carried out
that popular opinion was at least
equally divided regarding the genu-
ineness of the competing white ele-
plants. Long afterwards the 'lec-
turer'' told me that this white ele-
plant, having learned to recognize
and like him. would endeavor to sa-
lutte him by rubbing up against him
after the manner of elephants. Had
the animal succeeded. the effect would
have been to leave white marks on the
black coat of the lecturer, who had
all he could do to continue his lee
ture and at the same time dodge the
friendly advance of the white ele-
plant. About the middle of the sea-
son, after getting all the benefit they
could out of the white elephant war,
Barnum and his rival came to an I'M
icable understanding, and divided ter
ritory with each other, and the Light
of Asia" was withdrawn.
The following winter it was given
out that the animal had taken cold
and died in Philadelphia, but there are
plenty of showmen who aver that the
animal is as lively and healthy as
ever. though wearing black instead OF
cnalky white. A somewhat signif-
can't fact regarding this fake was
that during the previous sum-
mer its owners had been annoyed
on arrival in various towns to
find an opposition sideshow. with its
canvas already up. 1t belonged to an
Englishman whose sole attraction
was a yellow horse. No one haG ever
heard of a yellow horse before, and
the farmers for miles around came in
and eagerly paid ten cents to see
this wonder. The animal was not
particularly DCddllAuls DuE vas ~
tainly a bright yellow, as were also
the hands of his master. In fact,
there was no doubt but that its own
er had rubbed the animal well with
yellow ochre. The proprietor of the
Light of Asia" paid the show a Wis
it and laughed heartily at the decep-
ton. After looking at the horse a
little while he remarked to its own
err: "WeIl, if you a turn a gray
horse yellow. you should be able to
turn an elephant white" What hap
pened afterward I am unable to say,
but, singular to relate, the following
spring, when the Light of Asia" was
imported" a special trainer was
brought with it from Siam who gave
the animal his exclusive care and at
tention. This trainer was an Eng
lishman. and many of the circus at
taches thought they had seen the man
exhibiting the yellow horse.
In 1883, while passing down the
Bowery in New York, I heard my name
loudly shouted. Turning around I
met an English Snowman who was
just then managing M of the many
dime museums then established in
that thoroughfare.
"Come inside, Mr.. Coup" said he,
land I will show you my latest"
"Your latest what?" said I.
"Fake,' he answered. "These freaks
want too much money, and + near
ly played out, anyway, so I'm making
fresh ones now"
The place was packed with people
and an enormous banner on the out
side depicted a savage looking wild
man. He was described as having
been captured in the caves of Ken
lucky. I followed my acquaintance
upstairs, and in due time, after a
preliminary lecture, a door was
thrown open, disclosing what looked
like a prison cell, in which, chained to
an iron grating, stood a man closely
resembling the one represented in the
picture. His skin was of a tawny yell
low, his body was covered with hair,
and he ravenously snapped at and ate
the Jumps of raw beef which an at
tendant threw to him.
1 cannot say that it was a pleasant
sight, but from its effect on the spec
tators it was undoubtedly a salts
factory one, and as the door closed on
it I said to my acquaintance:
where did you get him?"
He replied: "Why, you know that
man we'll. He travelled with you two
seasons. Come inside and talk with
him."
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