The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1904-02-14
NEW YORK CHILDREN.

Gil Robinson, the famous circus man,
has been in town for the past fortnight,
laying of" on one of his periodical trips
around the world, and as usual he is full
of "reminiscences of the old circus days
when he, with his father, the late John
Robinson, were making the family for
tune with Robinson's circus. An elephant
story in a daily paper brought out some
Of "Girs' recollections of his days as
an elephant trainer, especially as related
to one huge pachyderm who reveled in
the name of Chief.
Chief" said Mr. Robinson, was one
of our best, and, at the same time, worst
elephants He was a great performer
and very kind to children. but he had lit
tie use for men. Familiarity with them
had bred contempt in his leathery head.
One day in an Ohio river Town Chief lost
his usual good nature toward children,
too. and killed a boy who got too near
him. We didn't want to kill the elephant.
for he was valuable, so We hustled him
out of town with the show. But he had
to be taught lesson. and my father
put it UP to me to teach it to him.
Il had Chief taken to a dock by the
river in the next town and chain fast
ened around one of his mind legs. Then.
with big derrick, we hoisted him clear
out of the ground. Next | made all the
men get big clubs and start in to beat the
everlasting nerve out of the elephant.
They beat. plugged, pounded and jabbed.
but Chief never left out d wnimper. And
if you can't make an elephant below
when YOU punish him he is still defiant.
When he gives in he whimpers
Finally ] got Il bale OF hay, and spread
ing it under Chiefs swinging form. set
fire 10 the loose hay. In a minute he was
conquered. He let out a cry Of defeat
that there was no mistaking it, and they
cut him down l led him back TO the
tent by the trunk, as docile as kitten.
From that day on he was frightened to
death of me. and it was pitiable TO see
his fear. l used to laugh when / thought
Of that mass of flesh and strength being
scared Of little being like me, when If
h. had known 1t he could have biOtted
me out with q wiggle of his trunk or one
stump Of his enormous foot. Bur he was
Just plumb afraid Of yours truly.
One night ! was ~ prize fight in
Cincinnati, when a boy came down the
aisle and whispered in my ear. The big
elephants loose MIR. Robinson, was a
he said. hut ] knew what that meant.
and / followed him. Chief. It seemed had
got away from the show, and out in
one of the suburbs. pushing over houses
Il followed his trail easily. and soon
came upon him. Chief was the boss if
little cottage settlement. which he was
rapidlv DISCRIMINATING. All he hsd 20 do
was 10 lean heavily against house and
over il would go. Then n would pro
coed 10 the next in that maner had dis
posod OF seven or eight frame dwellings.
As drew near he was wrestling with
another and the terrified family. at A
safe distance. acre weeping and waiIing-
Chief seemed to be enjoying the affair
hugely. ard 7 could almost SOC his huge
sides shake with laughter a. I approach
cd from behind.
Il ran up alongside Of him and gave
him p slap. Here you lopSided. leather
headed rno;h-caten old rapscsllon.' I
shouted only those were not quite the
names called him. Mat the dickens +
DO you mean
Chief turned and saw ne HIS face .
fell re began u trenble. and ne 1T out .
q ycI CT fear that sao"h tise neiS1ool- .
hood u WIS i-.e Tnothe- catching hec +
younester in the jan closet
- grabbed him ~ the trunk. gaze him .
a sark or two. ana lugEed him back 70 .
sts tent caIla HIM down al the way
Ana r. vhimpeTeG and haElcd Ike q
bsbv. once as home I had hin soEntiy
punished"
chief uas Ike that til TIE day q rs
death and I have Jhe satisfaction = r.
r--r,berlnz that at least one inhab.Iant .
- this earth lived ard died 81 AFFECT tea-
" yours trails New York Horid-
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