Arizona republican., 1908-04-17
'IN JUNGLES
 OF RIVERSIDE
Elephants Ran Wild With
 fatal Consequences
The Stampede Precipita- ted by an Explosion of Oil Tanks and Fire.

Riverside, Cal, April 16.-As a result of the fire which started this after noon at the Standard Oil company's storage tanks, L. J. Worsley lies at the city hospital fatally injured. A sullen boom at 1:30 o'clock marked the ex- plosion of the first large oil tank. Worsley was the driver of delivery wagon from which the fire was com mnnicated to the tanks and he was hurled several yards from the spot and picked up with his clothing ablaze. The flames spread immediately to the tanks which became a mass of flame, clouds of dense smoke pouring upward. The Sells-F1Oto circus was about to open for the afternoon performance three blocks distant. The explosion and fire caused the showmen to lower the tents after dispersing the crowd that had already assembled. The herd of elephants became uncomfortable and dashed to the east side of town. knocking down fences and OuthOuses and despOiling orchards that lay in their pathway. Many persons narrow ly escaped the infuriated animals.
 Soon all but the largest of the ele- plants were rounded up. The leader of the herd changed his course and came into the center of the city one mile distant entering the court of Glenwood hotel, one Of the famous hOstelries on the coast. Miss Gibbs was in the yard in front of the house. The elephant pinioned her against the house between his tusks throwing her to the ground. trampling her. crushing her chest and inflicting fatal injuries. The animal proceeded through the court of the hotel and the guests rush ed panic stricken indoors.
 D. P. Chapman, a guest of the house attempted to swerve the animal from the court. He was knocked down. his ribs broken and he was otherwise in- jured. The elephant crashed through a door. walked through barbershop and out on the street. Crossing the street he crashed through a heavy plate glass window in a store. Before being rounded up at a downtown pub lie stable the animal trampled another man. seriously goring him with his tusks
 One of the keepers attempting to subdue the animal was hurled over a high fence sustaining painful injuries. Not until four other elephants were brought to the stable was the elephant got under control and taken to the cir GUS grounds. The entire town was in an uproar. Ladies on the east side were afraid to venture on the streets fearing the herd had not been cap tured.
 The fire continued throughout the afternoon and 6O,0OO gallons of oil were consumed including the contents of the exploded tanks and case goods. Two large tanks containing high grade non explosive oil escaped the afternoon flames but are seriously threatened to- night The oil loss is $7O00 and the loss on the buildings s4OOO Worsley and Miss Gibbs are at the City hospi tal. and neither are expected to live the night
 Miss Gibbs died at 9:45 tonight. She was Q deaconness of the First | church of this city. Before coming here about three years ago she was a prominent worker in | the slums Of Chicago. Since her ar l rival in Riverside she has been doing ] mission work among the Chinese and !! Japanese population, and she had also 1 made 2 life work of assisting con- l who arrived here penniIess. |
 The keeper of the elephant, whose ! name is not known. was the means | of saving at least two lives before the | big brute was again gotten under con- trul. At the corner of Orange and | Seventh streets the elephant had | thrown Frank A. Bird and was about | to crush him with his full weight | when the keeper came up close behind 4 and fired three shots into the ele- | plants neck. This caused the ee- phant to swerve around. his attention being distracted from his intended vic tim. In the meantime. however. Bird Il sustained a broken leg and other in iuries.
 In the courtyard of the Glenwood Il