Free trader-journal and Ottawa fair dealer. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1920-1927, 1920-08-07
ELEPHANTS FLIGHT
INTO WOODS COST.
CIRCUS A TIDY SUM
BESIDES ALL THE TROUBLE
LOUIE CAUSED HE FORCED
OWNERS TO FORK OVER $40
FOR DAMAGED PROPERTY
AlREDAlE DOG is BLAMED.


Louie. Walter Main circus olc-
plants little cscapade of yesterday
afternoon, when he broke from his
keepers and gained shelter in the
woods of the north bluff, i'er a wild
chase over the whole northwest see
ton of town, cost the show an even
500 to settle damages following IN
the wake Of the monsters Wild Hight
Owners Of the elephant did not nave
to settle for any of the shattered
nerves which came when Louie made
a sudden appearance near house ana
frightened the inmate Of those resi-
denCes visited by him almost to death,
Had he announced his coming, or
given an alarm, he would not have
caused so much panic. But he rallied
to do this.
The principal damage growing out
of the escape was done the plant o.
the Ottawa Fircprooting company, oil
which Charles lIcrrick is superintcnd-
ent
Louie, while scouting about for a
gopher hole or tree trunk in which
he could seCretc himself, found the
drying room OF the plant, formerly tla
Terrc Gotta very much in he wa.
He didn't attempt to run around or
climb over it. He just walked right
through, taking the doors and on"
end of the building out with him, On
the floor, being prepared for The Hln%,
was a large assortment OF pressed
tile, Louie's footprints showed very
Nisibly through the room from ono end
to the other by the time h got to tn"
other end
TO make sure that the damages
were settled for Mr.. llerrick obtained
an attachment on the big tent Of the
circus asking 5000 in settlement Of his
claim. Deputy Sheriff Frank Frazier
was sent down to the circus grounds
to take possession OF the tent until
such time as the amount of the at
taChmcnt was met. Attorney Thomas
q Meara, serving as counsel for the
clay company, was also on hand 10
see that all provisions OF the attach
ment were fulfilled
The court writ oCcasioned some dc
bate. the circus managers allcgiHE the
elephant did not cause as much as
$500 worth OF damages, and offered tu
settle tor $llo. This was not salts
factory to Attorney O'Mcara. II was
finally agreed that 5000 would bo
placed in escrow with the sheriff 50
that the circus could move out Of town
and at a later date contest the Clall
in a battle before Judge RecK.
At the packing plant Louie yanked a
platform from its moorines and then
kept on going. Fifty dollars settled
he damages there.
Blame AiredaIe Dog,
The elephants rampage, which end
ed in the De l.agneau woods, where he
was captured after tW others We're
pressed into service to help cnsnara
him, is blamed upon an Airedalc dog
which was running at large near tn"
circus grounds. Louie it is said by
spectators. started to get drink
from a tank when the crinkly haired
purp cspied him STUFF was of for
Louie from that time on The .Nirc.
dale, undaunted by L0uie's size or
hulk TOOK after him, nipping at his
heels and barking the while.
The story Of the elephant and the
mouse was improved upon b. he Air..
dale dog He showed Louie he was
not afraid Of him and LouIes subso.
quent conduct showed him to have a
wholesome regard for the wee bit
of canine.
Chased One Pedestrian.
While LOuie's flight cannot be term.
ed wild or vicious" he did rumble
along while pursuers trailcd him, al
ways managing TO keep just in the
lead. Joe LennOX, an CmplOye of Ia ,
packing plant, will always remember
Louie He was walking down tn"
railroad tracks when Louie hove in
sight. LennoX started through the
fence into an adjoining pasture. Louie
dittocd. LennOX ran back onto tn ,
tracks and so did Louie, but just
about that time ;hc keepers appeared
and Louie changed his mind about
catching lcnnOX and beat it into the
woods.