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Death of a Distinguished Foreigner.Hannibal the large, named after him of Cann*. Hannibal the Great, if dead.: He was not an African Kke the Cartha-genian, bat an Asiatic. Whether from Hindoostan. Burinab, or tbe glorious ialand of Ceylon, hie biography aaith not. He was probably above five hundred years old at the time of h*a death; and to taw the throne of the Moguls before the British set foot in India, or roamed tbe forests of Ceylon long ere tbe Dutch landed at Candia and Colombo. His skin should be preserved and staffed, for be was tbe largest quadruped that ever act foot on tbie continent, aince tbe days of the ante-diluvian monaters whose gigantic remains arc sometimes discovered npon the banks of the Missouri, to tell as of the wonders of nature when the world waa young. We append the following from tbe Cleveland Plaiodealer:—The old and justly distinguished ele-Sbant Hannibal died at Canfield, on[onday. He waa quite old—extremely so. We have heard his age stated variously at from five hundred to one thousand years. Oar respfct for him was of tbe most profound character. We presented him with ginger-bread long ago, when we wore short jackets and cordu-roya. He was the first live elephant we ever saw. We gazed upon him with mingled wonder and delight—with the old lady, we wondered if bo knew he was an elephant, and if he was elephant all over. Wo wondered how many nanghty boys ho had swallowed without even greasing their heads, and how many wicked men he had a tamped his great big feet on, and killed dead. We had been reliably informed that Hannibal loved good little boys, who minded their mothers and behaved pretty. He never came, we were informed, and carried off this kind of little boys. This information waa remembered for some time after the caravan had left the vilUge. At rimes Hannibal was rather wild. Domestic troubles may have been the cause of this. We believe hi* fault* were of tbe head, however, and not 6f the heart. He never used tobacco in any form, and in all his travel* was never forced to «• spout'f hi*trunk for hta hotel bills. What other showman of any note can say ai much ? Still, tbe fact can't be disgniatd, Hannibal cut up some very \prd capers during his life. In Maine, years ago, he was one night shut np in a $hed. In the morning he waa found three or four miles off. with the roof of the shed upon his back!When connected with Juno k Titus' Circua And Menagerie, lie had a falling out with some of the performers, an 1 one day whilst they were making their grand entree in the ring, on their high-mettled and fforgeooaly-capariaoned horses, Hannibal bnret hia fastenings, rushed into the ring, and nnhoraed every man of them. After tossing them around for a while, he returned to hi* accustomed place, and permitted his keeper to tie him op again.Going from Boston to 8alem, some years ago, he became enraged at something or other, and made terrific work on the road—tearing down fences, tipping over wagons, and tossing men and horses into the air.Travelling from one small town to another, one Sunday afternoon, in New Hampshire. Hannibal met a long line of carriages, filled with peoplo going home from chnrch. The man in the hoad carriage struck the olephant a smart blow with his whip as he passed. Hannibal immediately unloaded the entire line of carriage*. No one was seriously injured.One night, as hi* keeper was driving him through a atrip of woods in Vermont, a violent thundtr atorm arose. A tree was struck by lightning, and one of ( its shattered branches strnck the keeper , and killed him instantly. All night long the elephant watched the dead man closely and tenderly, even aa a mot^r would watch the cm pa* of her child, and 1 never from that moment left him until he was buried. Hannibal meant well.We don't hear what ailed Hannibal— I probably it was old age. We under- ! stand that be cost his last owners, Van I Amburgh k Co.. 814,000. Peace to I his ashes lt;
Newspaper Details
White Cloud Kansas Chief
White Cloud, Kansas, US
Thu, Jul 29, 1858
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Michael D.
USA 26 Dec 2021
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White Cloud Kansas Chief
