This photo was taken on September 13, 1916, shortly after a circus elephant named Mary was hanged in Erwin, Tennessee. The animal had killed a circus worker the day before in nearby Kingsport. This picture is believed to be the only one in existence documenting the elephant’s execution. Experts say the picture, which may have been touched up years ago, appears fuzzy because it was taken in late afternoon in the rain.
Mary the elephant dangled briefly, then fell when the chain broke.
18 comments:
Aw, poor thing. Elephants only attack and go on a rampage if they've been attacked and mistreated. I'd say "trainer my ass." More likely he abused her terribly.
oooh, they gonna burn in hell, animals are animals, that's why i hate circus or animal show
Pat - The end of the article mentions that a veterinarian determined that Mary suffered from a severely infected tooth right at the spot where the handler poked her.
Hot Daddy - Same here.
A sickening and absurd story (yes, I read the link). Then again, this was 1916. Considering the horrible shit they were doing to black people back then, such cruelty isn't surprising.
Scott from Massachusetts said...
I'm not quite sure what to say. I'm actually in shock from just seeing the first pic.
Fuck anyone when provoked or injured most likely will attack. Couldn't they at least euthanized her? Also it's really disheartening to know people came to watch Mary get hung.
In cases like this I really don't know what to say.
Aaaaw.... See? The dude who'd been on the job for one day (I think that's what the article stated) wasn't an actual trainer or handler mistreated her. Most animals cannot tell you they hurt - only time and experience with them can let you know if they are suffering in some way.
Infidel - Not at all surprising. What's our excuse today? (Rhetorically speaking.)
Scott - That is quite okay.
Pat - I would like to think we're better these days.
There are several people I'd like to see get hanged today. Rick you know who I mean!
We might have developed a more positive approach in the treatment and understanding of animals. But...what about attitudes toward fellow human beings? Insult, shoot, abuse, dismember one another, among other acts of violence occur daily.
Luv - Yes, I certainly do.
Taurus - We're not as civilized as we like to think.
Scott from Massachusetts said...
I know you guys most likely read my comment right, but I should have had a comma after Fuck!!
Fuck, anyone when provoked or seriously sick will strike back.
Scott - Don't worry about the details. We knew.
Human beings are terrible. Now tell the story of Edison and the Elephant.
In 1903 Topsy the elephant was killed by electrocution at Coney Island, NY. There is an old film of her death on the internet - it was made by Thomas Edison who wanted to show the danger of alternate AC current versus his DC direct current. The poor elephant had been abused and killed a circus spectator. She was sold to a cheap circus, abused more and it was decided to hang her. The circus was going to sell tickets to her hanging but the ASPCA stopped it. So then she was electrocuted.
Did you get my comment on the execution of Topsy the elephant in 1903?
Thomas - Thank you for the info on Topsy. I had forgotten what Thomas Edison did to the poor elephant. I Googled it and will put together a post for the near future. BTW, I moderate comments so sometimes there's a big delay before I can answer.
Why don't we act that fast on mass murderers and traitors?
Jr - That is the million-dollar question!
Post a Comment