New-York tribune., 1906-12-26
ART OF TRAINING ELEPHANTS.
How the Big Beast Is schoOled for the Cir

on a number of points all elephant trainers
agree. These are: First, that the tall fat-legged.
small eyed elephant of big girth is not only the
handsomest but also the most dOcile and intelligent
his kind. Second that elephant is fully aware
of his prOdigiOus strength compared with man 5.
and that the reason an elephant obeys his master
is not because he Is afraid of him. but because he
has affection for him. Third. you may beat a
bad elephant death or kill him by ramnning
red hot irons down his throat in effort 70 press
the "sQuea Of surrender out Of him. but the one
and only way to train elephant perform tricks
is through kindness and patience unendng. Lastly.
but least, without exception the intelligence of
the elephant far exceeds that of any other animal
Elephant trainers maintain that training ele-
phant to perform is like teaching boy circus rid
ing only less difficult. Where the boy, despite all
his agility and suppleness requires years to learn
seeming awkwardness, learns his most difficult
sary only to make an elephant comprehend what is
wanted to have MIN perform trick. For. strange
What of a gymnast. In his own wild domain he
can readily negotiate the steeDest mountain side.
ground at express train speed, and may be seen at
R R u &
elephant as if performing the trick of the "pyra
4 number Of the simpler tricks with which an
him as the tapping Of milk comes to cat For
instance the blowing Of the mouth harmonlca.
didate to be taught to lie down four heavy stakes
are dTvsn d into 4 the ground and from each S Of these
and manned by ten or dozen men. When all is
raises his hook and 'Down! down" he orders The
elephant pays no attention. He stands weaving
'Down! down. shouts the trainer again, and upon
a signal some forty men begin to heave and tug.
the blocks squeak, the ropes creak. anJ while the
trainer continues shouting his commend the pachy-
With raising trumpet the startled creature
begins to struggle lashing with his trunk from side
franticalIv seeking for a hold TO steady himself
But the relentless ropes continue 70 draw his legs.
lowing like herd of steers and drowning the
begins TO totter for a9 psta9 II e gref M 90dy e
ance. then it falls crashing with dull thud on TO
of a cracked steam calliope the brute tries vainIy
TO struggle to his feet until at the end of three or
very startling has happened and that really he
ought to feel very comfortable indeed.
again uses the block and tackle To forestalI fe
IS thcl<ly Uttered with straw Then the candidate
is harnessed with chains and the bellyband and
the difference being that the chains from under the
belly lead between the hind instead Of between the
fore1uarters may be raised
Then the trainer gives his cue and signals to
hoist. Re the animal dOCe and infelI{-
gent the first, time he is lifted in this manner he
trunk is razed absoiuteiy Right and Ieft aDd 0 ms ms
and down sweeps the trunk, tense as steel spring
bent. Should the trainer at this time venture
within. reach he would be grasped hurled to the
roof Of the barn. and come down with every bone
broken only 10 be trampled into pulp. Believing
s , WIN d T9get & t4e animal reaches beneath
II Is back on all fours does 1t begin to calm under
is again to the din Of believing e and Tn
peting and stil again and again he is lifted until
In time the hind legs are raised higher and still
higher until Until ne Is forc2d to bend at the knees.
gressed so that he ma be lifted clear on to his
vent falling to either side until at the end of
week or so he not only knows how to balance him
self, but makes an attempt to perform the trick
when Orfered.-Appleton's Magazine.