The narrative tells the story of an elephant named Mary, who was the star of a traveling circus owned by Charlie Sparks. Mary was known for her size and the tricks she could perform, including standing on her head, playing 25 songs on a trumpet, and throwing a baseball. However, Mary's handler, Red, was cruel and insecure, which led to a tragic event.
One day, while Mary was eating a watermelon, Red jabbed a metal prod into her side, breaking her skin. This led to Mary snapping and throwing Red into a nearby drink stand. The crowd of onlookers, including children and other people from Kingsport, screamed and ran away. When they returned, they saw what Mary had done and began screaming at her, calling her a murderer.
Charlie, the owner of the circus, found Mary terrified and comforted her. However, the news of Mary's actions spread quickly, and a mob formed to kill her. The sheriff of Kingsport also attempted to shoot Mary, but the bullets did not penetrate her tough skin.
In the face of this crisis, Charlie decided to execute Mary as part of a grand finale show in the next town, Irwin. Mary was chained up and left alone in the middle of the circus. When the circus act ended, Charlie led Mary and the other elephants onto the railroad tracks. A railroad worker climbed onto a crane and looped a chain around Mary's neck, securing her to the tracks. As the chain tightened, Mary was lifted off the ground and eventually died.
Charlie's decision to execute Mary was successful in saving his circus business, which continued to grow for several years. However, the incident had a profound impact on Charlie, who retired early and died in 1944. Today, Irwin, Tennessee, is still known as the town that hung the elephant.
1. The story revolves around a wild event that took place in Kingsport, Tennessee in 1916.
2. A traveling circus called Sparks World Famous Shows was coming to town, with a parade and a circus act.
3. The circus had five elephants, one of which, named Mary, was the star of the show, and was claimed to be the largest living land animal on Earth.
4. Mary was trained to perform various tricks, including standing on her head, playing 25 songs on a trumpet, and throwing a baseball.
5. Mary's handler, a man named Red Edgeridge, was cruel to her.
6. In a fit of rage, Red jabbed his metal prod into Mary's head, causing her to snap and throw him into a nearby drink stand.
7. The crowd of people watching this event panicked and ran away.
8. When the townspeople returned, they were angry and started screaming at Mary, calling her a murderer.
9. The Mr. Ballin Foundation was established to support victims of violent crime and their families.
10. The story concludes with the public execution of Mary, the elephant, by Charlie Sparks, the owner of the circus, to appease the masses and save his business.
11. Today, Irwin, Tennessee, is still known as the town that hung the elephant.