The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1901-06-28

WihsVI W 1858 hD"c'sI, ~ was gwen
out hy Mr.. Earnum's manager that he
had positively succeeded in purchas-
tag from the king of Siam a 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 a
Philadelphia circus man. and the pub
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
unostcntatiously imported n sacred
white elephant known as the Light
or ASIA which, from the descriptions
OF the few favored scribes who had
seen IL, was a marvel of beauty and
color. Rumors were also circulated
that Barnum's white elephant was not
genuine, but only n 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
- NhittntsS, NItIOuI SDt. OF
blemish. Public sentiment ran high.
especially in Philadelphia. where the
shows were to exhibit simultaneous
ly. While public opinion was divided az
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-
nhnnt nc enpl1 Ia. pn.,~nJ mill. -
Philadelphia elephant. pretty as a
picture and superbly snow white in
color. was supposed to be a lively
fake
While on exhibition. this Light Of
Asia was almost entirely covered
with q black velvet-spangled cloth.
and the trunk had been manipulated
in such a way that visitors could
touch IL. and as no coloring matter
came Oft on their hands. | 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 descanted
eloquently on opposition in general
and the genuineness of this white
elephant in particular. So well was this
part Of the programme carried on.
that popular opinion was at least
equally divided regarding the genu-
ineness of the competing white Gle
plants. Long afterwards the "lec-
fprar' fA1l 49,. a.. -.
plant. having learned 10 recognize
and like him, would endeavor to sa-
lutte him by rubbing up against him
after the manner of elephants. Had
h animal succeeded. the effect would
have been 10 leave white marks on the
black O 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 cle-
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 anu |
icable understanding. and divided ter !
ritory with each other. and the Light |
of Asia" was withdrawn.
The following winter ii was given
ont that the animal had taken cold
and died in Philadelphia. but there are
of showmen who aver that the
is as lively and healthy as
though wearing black instead Of
white. A somewhat signif-
fact regarding this fake was
during the previous sum
49, IA. .- IL - 1
on arrival in various towns to
find an opposition s~idcshow. with its
canvas already up. 1t 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
a bright yellow. as we're also
the hands of his master. In fact.
there was no doubt but that it's own
ct had rubbed the animal well with
ochre. The proprietor of the
Of Asia" paid the show a Wis
y and laughed heartily at the decep-
After loo..ing at the horse a
little while he remarked to its own
sr: well. IL you can turn a gray
yellow. you should he able to
an elephant white" What hap
pened afterward l am unable to say.
,ut. singular to relate. the following
when the Light Of Asia" was
imported" a special trainer was
brought with il from Siam who gave
he animal his exclusive care and at
'%ention. This trainer was an Eng
ishman. and many of the circus at
thought they had seen the man
exhibiting the yellow horse.
In 1883. while passing down the
in New York. I heard my name
oudly shouted. Turning around I
net an English Snowman who was
ust then managing one of the many
lime museums then established in
hat thoroughfare.
"Come inside. Mr.. Coup" said he,
and l will show you my latest"
"Your latest what?' said l..
Fake" he answered. ''These freaks
want too much money. and are near
Y played ont, anyway, SO I'm making