Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1902-11-27
ELEPHANT THROWS
VALDOSTA IN PANIC
AFTER KILLING DRIVER

vALDOSTA, Ca, Nov 2.-Last even
ing as the long shadows fell six beautiful
white horses drew a hearse to the city
cemetery. It contained all that was
mortal of James O'Rourke, the keeper of
the big elephant, Gypsy" of the Harris
Nickel Plate Shows. Quite large crowd
of people and all of the circus folks at
tended the funeral
At the same time, six miles above the
city a dozen men were engaged in bury
ing the body of the big elephant Inc am
imal was killed about o'clock yesterday
morning by Chief of Police Dampier with
a Krag-Jorgensonsrifi rifle.
The animal weighed about five tons and
was the largest in the country. IL mad
killed a half a dozen keepers and once
before it came near ending the life or the
man who became its victim late Saturday
night.
The circus was to go into winter quar-
tiers in the city and the last two perform
ances Of the season were given on Satur-
day. At both the performances the big
animal appeared N the ring and was per-
fectly docile. doing several intelligent
acts, such as waltzing. blowing the har-
monica etc. After the act was over Keep
er ORourke mounted the animals head
and started to ride out to Pine park,
where the circus was to remain for the
winter.
At the intersection OF Central avenue
with Patterson street, instead of going out
Patterson, the big beast turned into Cen
trail avenue and went to Toombs street
O'Rourke was smoking cigarette and
appeared all right, though it is learned to-
day that he was sick and had been taking
quinin@ and whisky in large doses. On
Toombs street, between the residence Of
Mrs. GLENN and the new Baptist church,
he fell off of the elephant and remained
motionless upon the ground for short
while The animal stood over him for
while, and then knelt down upon the body
with its whole weight, crushing every
bone in the PROSTATE form and ending his
life in an instant Several parties saw the
tragedy and gave an alarm.
Chief Dampier came upon the scene and
went after the circus people to inform
them of what had happened. Barney
Shea, one of the clowns who formerly
managed the beast, together with several
other showmen, went to the scene and
tried to lead the elephant to the cars at
the G., s. and f. depot. The animal went
some distance, but became contrary and
turned upon the crowd. Shots began to be
fired into her and for an hour the big
brute was perfectly wild. Billy Menser.
another of the showmen, tried to head
her at the Christian church, but the in
furiated beast ran after him. As he dodg-
ed into the vestibule of the church the
wild animal grabbed him with her trunk
and hurled him some distance, and then
turned upon him to crush him to death. 1t
happened that she stumbled over pile of
lumber and Menzer was taken from his
perilous position In an unconscious condi-
ton. Then the elephant became wild and
charged up and down the sidewalk, max
ing a terrific noise and terrorizing the
town.
In the meantime scores Of people were
attracted to the scene and the elephant
was fired upon a number Of times. She
finally wheeled around and started toward
the park with all speed. For half a mile,
by the rays of the electric lights, she
could be seen surging along in full gal
lop. The crowd followed her, supplement-
ed by a number of drummers from the no
tells. The report had gone out that Mrs.
Harris, the proprietor of the show and
owner of the elephant, wanted her killed.
She was followed to the park, where the
chief Of police fired into her with Krag-
Jorgenson rifle.
With a terrific shrek she plunged
against the fence around the fair. ground
and tore 1t down, taking to the open coun-
try. She was followed until nearly two
o'clock, when the crowd returned to the
city to lunch and get more ammunition.
Just before daylight yesterday morning
the crowd started in pursuit of her again.
She was found, six miles above the city,
in the middle of the road. Chief Dampier
took good aim with his army rife and
fired. The bullet struck the neck just
behind the ear, and the great brute keeled
over and died almost instantly.
All day yesterday large crowds went out
to see the dead elephant, and many gath
cred at the undertaking rooms Of Timer
& Co.. to get look at her dead keeper.
O'Rourke came from San Francisco, but
it is said that his wife lives in New Or
leans. His body was placed in a splendid
casket, and Mrs. Harris did all in her
power to see that he had a decent burial.
1t is said that he saved Mrs. Harris life
in Chicago last year, and she felt very
much attached to him on that account.
The elephant, though one of the most in
telligent animals in captivity is said to
have been very. treacherous, and her own
er felts much relieved when she heard
that the beast had been killed.
The chase of the elephant and its final
| elimination have given Valdosta one Of
| the greatest sensations she ever had.