Elephant Runs Riot.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7880, 24 July 1905, Page 4

Elephant Runs Riot.

TRAINER AND MANAGER TERRIBLY MAULED. THRILLING SCENES. A powerful elephant ran riot at Sanger's Circus, Bakewcll, Derbyshire, recently. He attacked his trainer, then tried to wreck a marquee in which the performance was given, and afterwards gored the manager. Finally he was shot. The elephant was 65 years of age, and valued at tItMIO. His record was a bad one. Some years ago he killed a, keeper, and he had also la-en responsible for many assaults on Hie circus attendants. Lately, however, he had been more docile, and Ik- was allowed to take part in an acrobatic performance in which the Misses Sanger and their brother accomplish some daring feats. The large marqee was packed with spectators, eager io see a series ol remarkable mid-air performances on ladders erected in triangular iorin on the backs of the two elephants wailing in the arena. Preparations for the exhibit-ion Were just beginning whin one of th elephants, without the slightest warning, ferociousli attacked lon trainer, Frank Bailey. The brute viiwu.-Jy swung muni! bis trunk and felled Bailey to the ground. Then he advanced, and to the honor of the audience pressed his knees on the body of ihe helpless trainer, who cried loudly for help.

With a solicitude fhat was almost ihuman the olher elephant ran up. butled against the attacking animal ami forced him off the body of bis victim. Several attendants now rushed forward and carried Bailey out of the arena, ami the erring elephant, seemingly conscious of his guilt, quietly followed them outside. Everyone thought the danger was over, but a succession of terrifying trumpet ings and the violent swaying of the marquee showed that the beast was still in a bad humour. Then there was a tearing oi canvas, and the elephant thrust his brad and trunk through the hole he had made, and again roared at the audience.

A panic ensued. Tire spectators, fearing that the elephant would burst through, made a wild dash for the evils. It is remarkable that in the stampede no one suffered serious injury. An attempt was made lo capture I lie animal, but lie careered madly round the field, and eventually seized Mr Georjj.- Coleman, lire manager of the circus, with his trunk, flung him to the ground, and gored him about the body with bis tusks. Ultimately the elephant was pacified, and secured in iron. Medical assistance was obtained, and the injured trainer was removed to the infirmary and the manager to his hotel. Th«y were in a crstical condition, but the doctors believed they would both recover. A firing party from the local volunteers and Yeomanry who are encamped in Chatsworth Par* was afterwards procured. They formed a row of khaki-clad men. A short distance away the doomed elephant was secured with massive chains and ropes, A safe distance in the rear thousands of townspeople and villagers stood intently gazing on these unusual proceedings. The elephant was forced to bis knees, the order was given to fire, and a moment later Ire rolled over dead.