Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1901-07-12

out by Mr.. Barnum's manager that he
had positively succeeded in purchas-
ing from the king of Siam sacred
white elephant. The press was splen-
didly worked" in advance, and the
sacred white elephant monopolized the
gossip Of circus circles.
A great rivalry had for some years
existed between Mr.. Barnum and q
lie was greatly surprised, just before
the opening of the season, to find
that, according to a newspaper re-
port, the latter had also quietly and
unostentatiously imported a sacred
white elephant known as the "Light
of ASIA" which, from the descriptions
of the few favored scribes who had
seen it, 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 s'b1aze" of
cream color down it's 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
shows were to exhibit Simultaneous
~. While public opinion was divided as
to the genuineness of these sacred"
animals, it may be well to say 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 be a lively
"falze"
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, presume
that part of the body had in some
way been sssized'' or enameled.
During the performance the white
stripped of it's velvet trapings on the
elevated stage between the two rings,
while a learned professor" descanted
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 '1ec-
turer" told me that this white e1e-
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 am
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
chalky white. A somewhat signifi-
can't fact regarding this fake was
that during the previous sum-
mer it's owners had been annoyed
on arrival in various towns to
find an opposition sideshow, with it's
canvas already up. It belonged to an
Englishman whose sole attraction
was a yellow horse. No one had 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 beautiful, but was GER
tainly a bright yellow, as were also
the hands of his master. In fact,
there was no doubt but that it's 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 it's own
| er: ssWell, if you can turn a gray
horse yellow, you should be able to
| turn an elephant white" What hap
| pened afterward / am unable to say
| but, singular to relate, the following
spring, when the Light of Asia" was
| ''imported,'' a special trainer was
UIouSuG Will III ITOm Slstm VINO 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
lexhibiting the yellow horse.
In 1888, while passing down the
Bowery in New York, heard my name
loudly shouted. Turning around
met an English Snowman who was
just then managing one of the many
dime museums then established in
that thoroughfare.
"Come inside, Mr.. Coup" said he
sand will show you my latest"
"Your latest what?" said I.