Evening star., 1932-11-20

Barnum and London Shows
P. T. Barnum, J. A. Bailey &
j. L. Hutchinson
Sole managers"
Shortly after Il o'clock noon on April 80
the four long trains of Handsomely decorated
circus cars drawn by four powerful locomo-
tive9, stopped at Third street and Virginia
avenue southwest. Several tlousand people
gathered there in less than IS minutes after
the first train arrived many of whom were
school children. All had come to see Jumbo
and the baby elephant born on March 10, 1880,
just two years before, the first to be born in
this country. But in this, the crowd was dis
appointed, an old item tells us, for these were
too big card to be exhibited free, and were
not removed until late and when the crowd
had dispersed"
THE National Republican of May l, 1882, gives
us the best account of Jumbos coming to
town, and says:
ARRIVAL OF JUMBO.
Jumbo arrived yesterday in his own special
palace car, and had train all to himself.
There were only the engine, Jumbo's car, and
the caboose The height of Jumbo,s car is
such that to prevent accident, and afraid it
might possibly touch Craze a bridge or
tunnel, it travels alone. This will be done all
through the season; and although the expense
special comfort and care is very heavy, it is
thought to be the safest plan The Barnum
and London Shows hesitate at no outlay to
satisfy and delight the people and fulfill all
their promises. The shows open today at l
o'clock"
The next day occurred the usual spectacular
parade led by the mounted policemen of the
city-a custom which had prevailed here for
some time-but The Star, always looking to the
welfare and safety of the people, thought in
this respect it was about time to call halt,
and did not hesitate edtorially to express itself,
saying:
Mr.. Barnum is doubtless a reliable temper
ance man, and most capable Snowman. but
for all that no good reason is perceived why a
platoon of mounted policemen should be de-
tailed to pilot and escort his parade procession
through as safe territory as our principal
streets generally are in broad daylight. With
a fair map of the city before him the gentle
man who SO proudly leads the motley column
might be able to find his way; and it is safe to
suppose, also, that the lions, tigers, elephants,
etc, could take care, of themselves in the
event of sudden raid by the multitudinous
small boy who helps swell the pageant. 1t is
on such occasions that burglars and sneak
thieves ply their trade in other parts of the
city, and it is precisely at such times that the
police force should be strengthened instead of
weakened its regular beats. 1t is notorious
that the number of policemen in Washington
is far too small for legitimate service, but it is
quite time to stop the dangerous folly of de-
failing them for ornamental appendages to
street parades and for special duty at the front
doors of Government officials"
THIS massive Elephant came to Washington
! several times afterward to eat our peanuts
and to delight youthful hearts and then,
finally on September IS, 1895, was run down
by freight train in Canada and fatally in
jured. A dispatch from st. Thomas, Ontario,
said:
Jumbo, the $4,000 elephant was killed on
the Grand Trunk airline track half mile east
of here last night. His keeper was leading him
along the track when a freight train came up
behind unnotced and ran him down. He was
injured so badly that he died in 80 minutes.
The trick elephant Tom Thumb was also in
jurcd, his leg being broken"
Another and more complete account says:
Poor Junlbos death was tragic and affect
entertainment at st. Thomas on the evening
Of September Is, and Jumbo had, as usual,
conducted himself in the most rneritorious and
praiseworthy manner. With the plaudits of
the people still ringing in his big ears he was
walking contentedly down to the railroad train
that was to carry the circus out of town. when
a special train of cars, drawn by heavy loco
motive, came laundering down upon him. The
track upon which Jumbo was walking was built
accommodate two tracks-the main track and
siding The circus train occupied the siding
There was not room for the poor elephant to
stand between the two tracks, and the other
side escape was cut off by the steep embank-
ment, which was nearly II feet high. Jumbo,