Alright, guys – fair warning. This is a bit shocking, very sad, and the single craziest thing to happen in Tennessee. Why? Because Tennessee is known for being a kind, fair state with a heart for everyone – but mistakes happen, and history isn’t telling a lie.
We’re going to tell you a story that happened a long time ago and shocked the entire state. It happened once and never since, because once was enough. Ready to hear a story about our sweet little state and the black mark on our history? Well, here goes.
Wikipedia This, dear friends, is an Asian elephant. It’s gorgeous. A stunning depiction of elephant-kind, elegant and harrowing in the same moment.
Wikipedia Not all elephants, however, are as kind as they appear. Or maybe they’re provoked into a rage. Either way, it’s how our story continues.
Daily Mail History Files / Flickr It’s 1916, and we’re in Erwin, Tennessee. Big Mary, a five-ton Asian elephant, was a part of Sparks World Famous shows, a circus that was making its circuit through the state.
Daily Mail History Files / Flickr On September 11, 1916, a hobo who went by Red Eldridge was somehow hired as an assistant to the elephant trainer. He led Mary through the streets, inexperienced and arrogant, and prodded her behind the ear when she reached to the ground to eat a watermelon rind.
PS Mag History Files / Flickr Frustrated and angry at the hurt, she grabbed Eldridge with her trunk and threw him against a tree, crushing his head with her foot to finish the job.
Close your eyes, folks. This one’s a hard one.
Blue Ridge County / Flickr On September 13, 1916, Mary was hanged by the neck at the top of a railcar-mounted industrial crane. After the the chain snapped once, she fell and broke her hip - succumbing to death in the second attempt at a hanging.
It’s a sad story, a strange story. One you’d hope wasn’t quite real. Nevertheless, “Murderous Mary” was the first and only elephant to hang for her crimes in the US. The story has been hemmed and hawed over the years, but her grave marker in Erwin tells the tale of a sad moment, gone away.
Wikipedia
This, dear friends, is an Asian elephant. It’s gorgeous. A stunning depiction of elephant-kind, elegant and harrowing in the same moment.
Not all elephants, however, are as kind as they appear. Or maybe they’re provoked into a rage. Either way, it’s how our story continues.
Daily Mail History Files / Flickr
It’s 1916, and we’re in Erwin, Tennessee. Big Mary, a five-ton Asian elephant, was a part of Sparks World Famous shows, a circus that was making its circuit through the state.
On September 11, 1916, a hobo who went by Red Eldridge was somehow hired as an assistant to the elephant trainer. He led Mary through the streets, inexperienced and arrogant, and prodded her behind the ear when she reached to the ground to eat a watermelon rind.
PS Mag History Files / Flickr
Frustrated and angry at the hurt, she grabbed Eldridge with her trunk and threw him against a tree, crushing his head with her foot to finish the job.
Blue Ridge County / Flickr
On September 13, 1916, Mary was hanged by the neck at the top of a railcar-mounted industrial crane. After the the chain snapped once, she fell and broke her hip - succumbing to death in the second attempt at a hanging.
Moment of silence, perhaps? For the one elephant we lost, so long ago.
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