Clarke courier. [volume] (Berryville, Va.) 1869-1997, 1906-10-31


In which Jumbo Lost md the Great
American Snowman Won.
When 4. I. Barnum anticipated the
fecline OF the freak and other small
itun as a superlative drawing adjunct
Of the circus he dispatched agents to
Europe to round up something that
would starue American Amusement
lovers. That was early I'm the year
1882. before the magic wand OF Tody
Hamilton had transformed the abnor-
mality into the prodigy. To use bis
own words. Mr. Barnum wanted
twenty camels, thirty ostriches or
some other big stun" He clearly fore
saw the tangible possibilities OF the
menagerie. and, as was 50 character
isuc OF the great Snowman. be decided
10 go after IT." His agents, headed
by Mr.. Davis, landed IN London.
After viewing the animals I'm the ZOO
logical gardens at Regent park they
were ushered into the presence OF the
big elephant Jumbo. the superintend-
ent inquiring with levity. lis he big
enoughT But London had no inten-
ton OF disposing OF Jumbo, for he had
created no little stir I'm the British
metropolis because Of his enormous
size. The agents departed for con
unental cities. and ut Hamburg nine
camels were purchased and shipped
TO New York 10 become the nucleus OF
Barnum's first menagcrie.
Two weeks later the Geological So
ciety Of London received a cablegram
from Mr.. Barnum inquiring II Jumbo
was for sale and how much money
would buy him. The members OF the
society Glanced TO be I'm session at the
time and the matter was given some
consideration. though they probably
thought that this fellow Barnum was
just joking. However. Mr. Barnum
received in answer 10 his inquiry the
following: You may have Jumbo for
t2O0O as he stands" There was CON
siderable meaning to that "as he
stands clause. because Jumbo was
no ordinary elephant lie weighed
something over six tons. stood over
eleven feet in his stockings and pos
seSsed mind OF his own that could be
so contrary nj times that people often
accused Jumbo Of being quite human.
In due time Mr. Barnum's agents ar
rived with the E2.COO for the purchase
Of Jumbo and huge cage in which to
eucasc him and transport him TO Amer
ica. The cage was upon wheels. was
powerfully constructed and weighed
something over four tons The trans
action was made with due formality.
and Jumbo became American property.
Accordingly and with considerable
pomp the big elephant was escorted
from his spacious and almost palatial
quarters in the garden UP To the Amer
lean constructed cage. but Jumbo
smelled n mouse Ohey say that ele-
plants are afraid Of mice. and he
refused with dignity 10 lend himself
10 such nefarious plans. COaXlng and
threats were vain. AMI Jumbo. trl-
umphant. was led back II his quarters
for the night. He was given his usual
supper and dreamed unmo!csted OF the
e,ysium where all good elephants 90.
The agents began TO appreciate the
significance OF that las he stands"
clause. But they had plan. The
next day Jumbo was again escorted TO
the cage. Again he respectfully de
clined 10 enter, complacently putting
foot forward and defantly bidding the
overworked men To move him. There
upon stout ropes were obtained, and It
soon became apparent that Jumbo was
10 undergo the indignity OF being pull
ed into his new quarters. But all the
kings horses and all the kings men
pulled and worked In vain. Jumbo
was fmmOvable. He had blue blood
in his veins. and he couldn't under
stand why he should be obliged TO ex-
change his elaborate quarters for a
cage 8 10y u. Again ut night Jumbo
dlned and dreamed in peace.
The following day was strenuous. a
large force was drafted into service
Jumbo was coaxed. pulled. beaten and
coaXed again. but again he slept and
dlned in his quarters I'm the garden.
That "as he stands" clause was about
the biggest proposition that the Amer
lean showmen had undertaken for a
long time, and it soon became apparent
that the Britshers did possess 4 streak
Of humor after ALL The agents got
busy. The next morning Jumbo was
up with the sun and was somewhat
surprised 10 find that his breakfast was
not in It's accustomed place. But he
soon discovered Il in an adjoining room
"A new room by the way. but as jun
DO had been so victorious he evidently
thought he was deserving Of larger
apartments. and he entered the new
addition. said grace ana enjoyed his
breakfast. But that was the undoing
OF Jumbo. for no sooner had be begun
To satisfy his morning appetite than the
door through which he entered was
closed and tightly bOlted. Jumbo was
ut last in the cage, which had during
the night been converted into an impro-
viSed room by the new purchasers.
But Jumbo took his defeat philosophic-
ally. 1t was n case of strategy and
diplomacy. and he had lost The cage
was wheeled away to the wharf, and
soon Jumbo was bidding adieu and au
revoir TO old England, and T.. T. Bar
NUNS press agents were busy telling
the people OF America Of the coming
OF the biggest elephant in the world
Jumbo was born in Africa. When Il
wee bit Of Il pachyderm he was taken
to Paris, and soon thereafter he was
taken TO the London ZOO. where he re-
manned for seventeen years. As men
toned above, he stood almost twelve
Foot IN, Ins,.ht opl xx-aichoJ oI,,,t 81