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

ALUM tnN pOiht va
view of the international excitement
financial returns as a result of that
excitement, was Jumbo, the largest
elephant in captivity.
For many years Jumbo had been
the favorite animal in the collection
of the Royal Geological Gardens in
Regents Park. London. In his youth
Jumbo was captured by the Hamran
Arabs, who sold him to Bavarian
collector. Johann Schmidt. and in
JlSG1 Schmidt sold him to the Jardin
Sdes Plantes of Paris.
The Royal Geological Society trad
ed rhinoceros for him at a time
when Jumbo showed no signs of be-
coming a giant; he was an African
Elephant. and African elephants take
Onger to mature than their Indian
brothers.
Barnum had seen Jumbo many
lines in London after Jumbo had
become a famous giant elephant:
Barnum coveted him, but it seemed
hopeless TO think of obtaining him:
However. an agent was instructed
o ask the Royal Geological Society
secretary how much he would take
or Jumbo. and the secretary. much
o the surprise and delight of Bar
,um and Bailey. replied that he
you'd sell Jumbo for $4,000.
The money was sent Immediately
nd Jumbo was purchased in the
,ame of T.. r. Barnum. After the
ale was completed. it was an
bounced in the London newspapers.
Furor Of Indignation.
Immediately there was Juror OF
public Indignation. and Jumbo be-
|ame the most important question
II the day in England.
Hundreds of letters We're written
0 the newspapers by fathers and
nothers whose children had been
arried for many years on Jumbo
Jack, and the children themselves
lrote sentimental notes. approprla-
te,y misspelled. begging Mr.. Bar
UNI not to take from them their
ear Jumbo.
The Queen and the Prince OF
Males. who had often ridden on
umbo's back, joined in protesting
gainst this outrageous sale OF q
ublic character: John Ruskin wrote
Indignantly that England had no,
cen in the habit of selling her pets
Oueen Victoria. the Prince OF
Males. and John Ruskin begged the
biological Society to refuse to de-
YER the elephant 10 Barnum. ant
hev promised that th" British ma
lon would be responsible for any
amages due to breach of contract
1t was almost as il Barnum hat
urchased an English institution
ke Mr.. Gladstone or the Albert
!cmorial. and the volume OF protcS
as greater than it would probably
ave been had Barnum been. sue
essful many years before in his at
tmnt TO carry off Shakespeare
Offered Gladstone Instead.
ord Wincholsea undoubtedly ex
rcsscd fine view of thousands o
|nclishmcn in his verse entitled
But since in England's fallen stat
he owns two things supremei!
great.
,mbo and Gladstone leach We fint
he most prodigious of their kind
nd one wont bulge. Ihcn, bar
nun make
Fair exchange for ouicts sake.
axe the Right Honorable. and 20
ell make the better rare show
Leave Jumbo"
Nearly Killed With Kindness.
The public was So eager TO look a
IS animal they were about 10 los
rover that the Royal IooloGica
nriens were crowded daily. AM
I'd. OCO were added 70 its receipts o.
o farewell receptions OF JUMBO
,mbo had a passion for buns. an
many were fed to him by his neN
dent admirers that it was feare'
would be killed with kindnes
fore he could be transported.
After Jumbo became a nationa
sestion. the popular enthusiasm
n, form it seems to take otte'
in its greatest favoriteS. Their
ere Jumbo cigars. Jumbo letter
ads. Jumbo earrings. fans. hats
d crayats. Jumbo underclothin
Il Jumbo overcoats, Jumbo boot
d limbo perfumes. On the menu
London hotels were Jumbo soup
Il hash. Jumbo fritters and stews
mho salads and pie. Jumbo &c
cam and Jumbo kisses.
The editor of the London Dan
Iegronh sent the following cabl
snatch to Barnum ,,
"Iondon. February 81. 1SS2.
"P. r.. Barnum. New York:
!. Editors compliments. All Brit
ish children distressed at Gle.
Infants departure. Hundreds of
rorrespondents beg us To inquire
n, what terms you will kindly re-
turn Jumbo. Answer prepaid, UNI
limited. :,
n - IN.
Parnum was firm. He answere
maid and took advantage OF tn
rd unlimited TO advertise tn
catest show on Earth:
,"New York. February ~.
Nv compliments to Editor Daily
Telegraph and British nation.
1iftv millions of American citl-
ems anxiously awaiting Jumbo.s
rival. Ny forty years invari-
e,,h practice of exhibiting best
hat money could procure makes
Iumbo's presence here impera-
i've Hundred thousand pounds
vould he no induccment TO can
el purchase. My largest tent
Eeats thirty thousand persons.
nd is filled twice each day. 1t
.ontains four rings. in three OF
vbich three full circus companies
i've different performances SIM
Titan ously. In the large outer
Ing. or racing track. the Roman
Iippodrome is exhibited: In two
ther immense connecting, tents
nv colossal geological collection
nd museum are shown:
In December next VISIT Aus,
ralia in person. with Jumbo anu
nv entire mammoth combination
f seyen shows. via California
hence through Suez Canal. Fol,
owing summer 10 London. | shall