Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-11-23

him. A few rods from the tent was q huge
gondola, beautifully decorated as a parade
chariot. Samson hurled It over. Conklin
headed for the open fields, with the Infatuated
bull following Turning in his saddle, he fired
several rounds of buckshot into the beasts
trunk. The elephant paid no more attention
than If the buckshot had been raindrops.
Dangerous it was, the race had its funny
side, too. Conllin was still dressed in his red
tights, covered with shiny spangles, with
leopard skin around his waist. Samson had on
his parade howdah and, as he ran, the brightly
colored velvet blanket hoated in the breeze.
Away went Conklin-on came Samson, get
ting closer and closer to the now thoroughly
frightened fugitive. OF across the fields, about
200 yards away, was a railroad freight yard.
Conklin headed for that in the hope of being
able TO escape by lodging among the cars of
coal standing on the two tracks which merged
in a at one end. at the point of the the
cars did not quite meet. Conklin made for that
opening and was just able to squeeze himself
and his horse through as the big bull wedged
In behind him. The cars of coal were too
heavy for the elephant to butt out Of the way
and as he win never vary his path to go round
any obstacle to his progress, there he stuck.
unable to go forward and not having the sense
10 back up and go round the other way. The
trainer let him struggle for o few moments,
until he got quiet
After while, he Gained down. and at Conk-
Then he was securely chained, led back to the
lot and whipped until he squealed. When an
elephant squeals under punishment, that's q
signal he's conQuered-for q time at least
Samson was good elephant after that
WE were playing Independence. Iowa, one
w day in 1881, and as part of the parade
we had three elephants hitched to- the band
wagon. They were tandem, of course. Betsy.
small COW elephant, went first; Mary, q little
larger was second; and Sultan, very big bull
elephant was between the shafts. We had to
cross bridge going into the town. wooden
bridge, 40 feet high, over the rocky bed OF q
dry stream. When you come to bridge with
elephants it isn't go as you please, but go as
they please These three moved so slowly we
were at least Is minutes going so feet. I was
sitting on the front of the band wagon, and
could barely feel it move.
Betsy would put down q foot, try to shake
the bridge with it. put her weight upon 1t
gradually, and then make series Of she queer
est little grunts and whinnies that you ever
heard, and Sultan would answer her in the
same way. Sometimes Mary would join In the
conversation. Just as we got to the center Of
the bridge there was q crash and Sultan
dropped like bullet right through from be-
tween the shafts, clean out of sight. The other
two darted across to solid ground with fright
ened yells.
The band wagon, with 10 musicians, the
driver and myself, stopped just at the e6ge Of
the hole through which Sultan went down. I
sprang of and shouted to the musicians to
Jump out. We ran down to Sultan He had
fallen in a sitting posture and there he sat.
groaning dreadfully. It took 20 men and 10
horses with blocks and tackles to hoist him
to his feet. with great trouble we got him
out of the ravne.
We nursed him for q week and used liniment
on him by the kegful but nothing seemed to
relieve him. He just lay on his side, groaning
and touching the end of his trunk to one eye.
as II trying to call attention to something there.
That motion was noticed at last and the wet"
examined the eye. The instant he touched IL
Sultan rave A big sigh Of satisfaction. and