San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-10-28
BY M. r. WERNER


was worth more as curiosity. |
Later he told a reporter that in six |
weeks Jumbo had attracted 1886, COO |
to the circus.
Before Barnum had purchased ,
Jumbo, the elephant was known only
to the population of London: after |
| the controversy he was known |
throughout the British Isles.
1t was Bailey's intention. there |
fore. 10 take the Greatest Show on !
Earth to England with Jumbo and |
give the entire population of the F!
British Isles an opportunity 10 see
the animal.
| For several years Jumbo was with |
the Barnum & Bailey show in this
country. while preparations were be-
ing made for the extensive foreign
tour. Exhibited with him was a
baby elephant. called Tom Thumb"
Killed BY Freight Train.
On September IL. 1885, in Ontario,
Canada. Jumbo was struck by Il
freight train and pinned between it
and n train of show cars. The
engine broken. ,Iumbo's skull was
fractured, and he suffered internal
| injuries. He died few moments
later.
1t was said by the circus publicity
men that JUMBO died in heroic at
tempt TO rescue his favOrite, the
baby elephant. Tom Thumb"
Jumbo's death was cabled all over
the world. and English newspapers
and public mourned his loss.
Soon after .Iumbo's death Barnum
& Bailey succeeded in buying Alice
from the Royal Geological Gardens.
She was brought TO this country
and advertised extensively as "Jum-
bo's Widow"
Jumbo's skeleton was articulated
and his skin stuffed. He was thus
exhibited at the show by the side OF
his widow. and the specimens were
finally given by Barnum TO Tufts
College. of which he was one of the
founders. That college still uses the
head of Jumbo as its emblem.
Another Adventure.
While Jumbo was still q popular
fayorite. Barnum & Bailey INDUCED
in another adventure in elephants
that created national interest. Two
agents of the Greatest Show on
Earth were travelling in the East in
search OF human types for the great
chronological Congress OF Strange
Savage Tribes" which was the lead
ing feature Of the show one year
The agents. Thomas ii. Davis and
J. Il. Gaylord visited Burmah.
Here they learned of the cxtrava-
gance of King Theehaw. who found
it difficult 10 keep his expenditures
within the limits Of his enormous
revenues. David made a substantial
present to the chief priest OF the
Kings chapel. in order to obtain
confidence at court. and this gift
: was appreciated by the Kings favor
lite wife. who worShipcd regularly Ut
the chapel. which without the aid
) Of American money. would have fall
len into state of irrcverent decay.
Davis spent much time in the
: company of the chief priest. who
was anxious 10 return the favor Of
the American gift. Davis's only re-
; White Elephants. which were ia
nous throughout the world for their
rarity.
The chief priest admitted Davis 10
the royal stables; he decided that
; Barnm & Bailey must have Sa-
cred White Elephant. Since it was
, considered an act Of the worst re-
lisious proclamation for one of the
Sacred White Elephants TO leave
! Burmah or Siam, il was necessary
for Davis TO act with care and pa
} thence.
He made friend of the Prime
, Minister of Burmah. whose double
task was 10 keep the King always
supplied with money and to restrain
] the nation from rebellion. The tasks
were daily growing more incOmpati-
BILE. and Davis limited that he knew
) a way by which the Kings treasury
] would be richer by $4,000.
! The Prime Minister was anxious
f for the details. but Davis allowed
e several weeks of economic worry TO
| pass. in order that the Prime Min
t lister might become frantically inter
G ested
. Meanwhile. he met King Theebaw
{ several times in audiences. and the
/ King was delighted with Davis's
n American. vivacity. Davis learned
n about the court that the Prime Min
! lister was beginning to abandon the
interests of the King. who was head
Y ed for ruin. and was thinking of his
j own nockct. and one day Davis
: buntlv offered the Prime Minister
i $4,000 for one of the Sacred White
n Elephants.
t The Prime Minister answered that
0 he valued his life at more than $50
= geo. and Davis changed the subject
c for several weeks. Finally the Prime
+ Minister was persuaded that 4 Sa-
:. cred White Elephant could be- snug
gled out of Burmah without any
= hint of his part in the transaction.
}, Stealing White Elephant.
= Davis and Gaylord chartered q
wheel steamer at Rangooon and hired
I fifteen Mohammedans as their crew,
t for Mohammedans laugh at the
y sancity of the White Elephant.
n The distance from the royal stables
t to the wharf was three-quarters of
a mile. A docile White Elephant
S was chosen and he was painted red
! and blue to disguise him. The real
d Sacred White Elephant is not white,
a but pinkish gray. differing only
{ slightly in color from the ordinary
: elephant. but often distinguishable
only by few pink spots. The Sa-
: cred White Elephant was covered
!. with trappings and embroidered
h cloths When night came. the ami
s NAL whose name was Toung Ia
e loung. was led through the streets
e to the wheel steamer. 1t was then
/ comparatively simple and safe
. matter to get him 10 Liverpool, and
i thence TO New York.
: When Toung Taloung arrived in
e New York in March. 1854, Barnum
and the patrons of his show were
t astonished that he vas not a milk
|. white in color. He looked very much
g like any elephant, and the only dis
- 4 ....1-a~ IS lnss 4eu q.