The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1905-09-10
FOUR ELEPHANTS HAYEABATH
INCIDENTALLY PHOTOGRAPHER
GETS ONE TOO.
Lena, Jennie, 'Ads and Lou Plunge and
Trumpet in Big Tank on Hippodr one
Stase-Maybe They'll DO II In Public
-Jennie's Prompt Cure FOR FlashIi ghts.

AchS, Jonule, AuS anu Lou FlunBo uuu
Trumpet in Big Tank on Hippodr ONE
stase-Maybe They'll DO 1t in Public
-Jennie's Prompt Cure for FlashIi ghts.
Thompson Il Dundy's trained elephants
Lena, Jennie. Ada and Lou, had a BATH,
yesterday at the Hippodrome. 1t was a
$3.50 bath in 600 900 gallons Of water. and
1t was also the first one the elephants had
had since they left India six years ago.
They celebrated the event by tearing out
portion of the stage scepery-a portion
that weighed several hundred pounds and
was nailed fast-and by dousing a pho
tographer who intended to take picture
Of them in the tub" for Sunday paper.
The photographer was pretty sure after
it was over that he had got picture. He
was positive he had touched of the fash
light powder. The only thing he couldn't
remember was whether he had pressed the
bulb before the cataract from Jenrie's
trunk hit him or after. but he was extremely
hopeful when he was fished out Of the tank.
He considered it perfectly safe for him
to rely on the plate that had been exposed.
The elephants had their bath after the
regular matinee performance. which con-
cluded with the scene Of the horses plung
Ing into the 100000 gallon tank. The ele-
plants really needed a bath, but that wasn't
the reason that prompted the management
Of the Hippodrome to give them one. They
wanted to try the beasts out to see whether
it would be a safe feature to add to the
regular matinee performance. They
haven't announced their decision yet, but
they will probably let the elephants take a
dip regularly after they have made the
stage fixtures stronger.
Lena, the biggest Of the four elephants;
was the first to approach the runway lead
ing down to the tank. She put her enor-
NOUS foot cautiously on the structure and
then felt out with her trunk. The keeper
prodded her TANKS with gaf but she re-
fused to go forward.
It is second nature with an elephant
never to venture on anything that will not
bear it's weight. The animals seem to
be able to tell from merely passing their
trunk over structure whether they can
safely trust themselves to it or not. Lena
continued to back away. but the first keeper
reinforced by another, prodded her along
until finally she took step forward. Ihere
was q crash as one Of the supports OF the
bridge gave way. Lena tired 1 70 save We h ths
decline and slid down into the water.
Jennie, Ada and Lou were coaxed into
the tank after the runway had been shored
up. For Ave minutes or more the Dig
beas.s played Ground snS N tine nee vstsy-
spouts with their trunks 1t was rust
about that time that the photographer
appeared with the camera. Jennie raised
her head and eyed him suspiciousiy as ne
leveled his machine, then ducked again.
All Of them refused to pose. ~.
But the photographer must have MS
picture. Perhaps IL the water wasn't 80
deep the elephants would stand easier and
keep their heads out OF the water. me
animals were taken out. the tank emptleo
were led out again on the tank floor. which
was gradually lowered. Ar. the water
swept over their huge feet and up around
their legs, they trumpeted loudly and shook
their monstrous heads.
clambered up on their backs with their
gafis. Jennie, who was nearest the photog,
rapher, never took her eyes OF him until
he finally raised his standard to touch on
the hashight. Then she dropped her
trunk slyly sucked In an abundance shs OF
puff" went the hashlght. Splash,
went the photographer as he landed IN the
tank. The camera was drenched ana
knocked over on the stage. and the front
rows Of seats for almost half the width OF
Jennie appeared to Be satisfied, She
buried her head and made bubbles almost
a. big az football and the other elephants ls
rolled about and spouted. Then they
to oS puil them Sa up 4he Keeper had 70 pound
them with clubs and use their Whips ana
gafis freely to keep them in the tank until
the floor was raised again. Before that
was accomplished, though. Lou had got
his trunk tangled in the heavy woodWork
forming the sides Of the runway and mad
pulled Il completely out Of its fastenings
and smashed 1t badly, -