Rensselaer Republican, Volume 14, Number 23, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 February 1882 — THE BABY ELEPHnNT. [ARTICLE]

THE BABY ELEPHnNT.

Great Excitement Auioif the Animals on the Arrival of the Young, Stranger. w [Chicago Titres New Haven special.] Queen, the mother of the naby elephant, had to be chained, but snapped a great beam in two, giving' the attendants a needless scare, for other chains held. The little stranger was ushered into the world with loud trumpetings, which were taken up by nineteen other animals, and were answered by growls and cries from lions, tigers and other animals, and the noise was terrific. About an hour after the baby was bom it was able to take a few steps. -The little one’s feet were of a pink tint at birth, but, in an hour they become dark in color. Two or three hours after giving birth to the baby, Queen became subdued enough to lie down awhile, and in the interval all those who were present had an opportunity to get a look at the curiosity. Queen would toss hay over it, try to roll it about, and manifested a feeling of joy over its coming, and mother love for it generally. O tentimes the spectators wou’d cry* out in subdued tones of alarm for fear the huge beast would trample on aud crush her precious charge; but clumsy as she appeared to be, she was as careful as a mother would be of her new-born babe, and low endearing trumpetiugs told of the pleasure she felt. Barnum had the baby insured for $300,000 by private parties for one year. He named it America. It weighed 145 pounds at birth, not 45 as telegraphed. Columbia, the other baby elephant, weighed at birth 213 pounds, and gained one pound per day for one year. Professor Arstiugstall, who had charge of Queen, said: “The baby, which, stands 2i feet high, will not be weaned in two years It nurses, aud we shall not give it artificial food for a long time. As you see, it is perfectly formed, and when you look at it you would think you were looking at a full-grown elephaut through the smaller end of a spy-glass. We have of late been feeding the mother on craAed oats, oatmeal crackers and bread, aud occasionally crackers soaked iu Jamaica rum. We shall continue this diet for some tirm. Thebaayisall righ , aud will undoubtedly live and thrive. If necessary.l could move it to another city iu a week. By that time if you come here you w-iil see it running around this ring playful as a kitten.” Barnum, wneu asked to approach and touch the baby, declined. “I don’t care,” he said. “I was once asked to go up in a balloon, and I said I would gladly if I had two lives.” He was finally persuaded to fondle the little stranger; and while the mother permitted it, it was plain to be seen she did not like it. Just after the birth the bahv lay on the straw, a dark-looking object, the size of a Newfoundland dog. O ver this Queen rocked and tramped all the time, uttering fearful cries. Hhe would tug away with a mighty effort at the ropes attached to her hind legs, and rear and plunge like a young colt. Not even Prof. A rating? tall dareu veumre mar htr while she was laboring under this tiemendous excitement. Exhausted by her efforts, the beast would tail on her side to the straw. Soon recovering, she would rise and give vent to a series ot howls, and begin the same tramping of the ground, tinging at the ropes and endeavoring to free her fore legs from the chain which held her to a huge .post in the center of the ring All tnis time tbe trainer circled about the animal, endeavoring by endearing words to calm her excitement. At times she would try to pick up her baby, bur, failing to do *tkis, she would snap at the trainer and give vent to fierce howls. To-night the mother is approachable. Barnum intends to take the mother and babe to New York soon for exhibition.