Elephant on the Loose

"The quaint old New England village of Bucksport, Me., had a most memorable day on Sunday, July 10. Leon W. Washburn's Circus arrived that morning, and one of the animal men, in the absence of the regular keeper, undertook to remove the elephant Charley (a recent purchase from the Adam Forepaugh Shows) from his car. The elephant stampeded, and for several hours kept the citizens in mortal terror of their lives. Tiring of this sport, Charley started for the country, and would up in a pine woods, with thick and swampy undergrowth. After numerous volunteers had failed, the steward, Tom W. Lawrence, for many years with Barnum & Bailey, and who accompanied that show to London, went after him, and after six hours battle, brought him safe and sound, but somewhat tired."


Source: New York Clipper, July 23, 1892