Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1906-06-30
Lightning Strikes Ringling
Brothers Tent and Causes
Two Deaths
ELEPHANTS IN A STAMPEDE
They Rush From the Ring and Dash
Among the Panic Stricken People
Many Have Narrow Escapes from,
Being TrampIed-one Man Dies
From Frieht-Many Injured.


was struck by a cyclone and felled to
the earth late yesterday afternoon
Panic seized the 5000 spectators that
crowded the Enclosure of canvas. The
cries of beasts of prey in the menag-
erie and the herd of elephants per-
forming in the ring, mingled with the
shrieks of frightened men and women
The roar of lions and the snarl OF
tigers as they beat their heads against
escape added to the terror of the
scene.
The transformation scene occurred
within the twinkling of an eye AT
go o'clock there came the blast of a
trumpet that called every eye to the
flap that separated the menagerie from
the large tent. A moment later and
the first of the eighteen elephants that
perform stepped into the arena. Be
yond the roof of white the sun was
beating down and the heat was ter
rife. Another moment and the eight
cen elephants completely filled the
three large rings. Another and the
clowns were performing their tricks.
Storm Comes Up Suddenly.
The attention Of the 5000 spectators
was held by the men and beasts and
they did not notice the beclouded sky.
Nor could they see the funnel-shaped
cloud that was bearing down upon
them. 1t struck suddenly and with ter
rifle force.
The crash of heavy timbers was the
first warning those bent upon enjoy
ment had of the anger Of the elements.
A moment more and a great rent was
torn in the covering of white. Men
and women rushed from their seats as
the first Of the canvas fell upon them.
A moment more and 1t was Impossible
to move, for the heavy canvas held
them as if they were in the grip of q
wise.
And then were such scenes enacted
as will ever live in the memory of those
who crowded the tiers Of seats yester-
day afternoon. The great animals
within the ring were seized with sud-
den fright They forgot the teachings
of their masters. They forgot every
thing save that their lives were in
danger. The great monsters ran from
one side of the ring to the other. 1t
was never difficult to trace their move
ments, for their trumpetings could
have been heard for blocks, and the
heavy canvas was without weight when
it rested upon their strong backs.
Elephants on Wild Rampage.
Nor did the presence Of men deter
them. Children in their path must
dodge or jump or be seized by half
crazed fathers and mothers, or be tram
pied to death. And above it all could
be heard the snarling Of the tigers and
the roaring Of the lions.
Minute after minute passed and the
thousands seemed unable to reach the
open air and safety. Men caught their
children in their arms and trampled
upon other men in their wild endeavor
to escape from the scene of death. The
pitiful cries Of mothers sepaf ated from
their children could be heard. Eve ry
minute or two came the crash of heavy
timbers as the poles bent and broke
in the gale that was blowing and when
it seemed they would escape the water
seemed to pour from the clouds and the
thousands were drenched.
For more than quarter of an hour
did this scene hold sway and the terror
of it may be realized when it is said
one man died of heart disease super
induced by fright.
Two Dead; Many Injured.
The dead:
Bury, Matthew, Aurora, struck by
falling tent pole.
Cress, William, Geneva, died Of heart
disease.
THE injured:
Shabbona, Mrs. sarping, badly bruis-
ed and shocked; held nursing baby in
her arms.
Shabbona, Mrs. Stanf1eld, badly
bruised and injured internally.
Abel, j., circus performer, hip dislo-
Gated.
Williams, Joseph, policeman, injured
while attempting to allay panic
Freeman, Mrs. Bertha, Geneva, bad
ly bruised and injured internally.
Kehoe, John, circus performer, Shout
der dislocated.
Nor were those who attended the
circus the only ones to suffer, for SO
terrific was the force OF the cyclone
that wires of every description were
torn from poles and trees were uproot-
ed and thrown to the earth. Those
who for the moment forgot their sur
were reminded of their lapse
Of memory by the pickpockets and
thieves. who reaped a harvest as they
Piled their art in the dsorganized
mob
So great was the force of the storm
hat people standing upon the streets
lad difficulty in remaining upon their
FEET, and many were swept to the edge
If the pavements and to the cutters