1901 - The sad demise of 90 year old 'Archie' in Stanwell Road, Penarth in June 1901. [000] [002]

Lord George Sanger (1825-1911) was a renowned showman and circus proprietor.

He was murdered on 28th November 1911 at his home Park Farm, North London, allegedly by one of his employees and for unknown reasons. His murderer named Cooper, committed suicide by lying in front of a train at Highgate, London.

1900 - Two elephants, 'Archie' and 'Charlie' from Lord Sanger's circus ran amuck at the Crystal Palace, London, and escaped after being mistreated by a circus worker, who 'Charlie' then trampled to death. 'Charlie' was shot after being poisoned which wasn't effective!

'On arriving in Beckenham, Archie crossed the South Eastern, & London, Chatham & Dover railway lines scaring two signalman and almost causing a railway disaster had not the driver of a passing train pulled up in time.' - Beckenham Journal [1237] 24th February 1900.

'Archie' returned later of his own accord. When he arrived back the same newspaper reported that :

'Archie' picked up a trunkful of hay and began eating it with an air of indifference as though he had just been out for a stroll and had come in to tea as usual.'

'Charlie' was stuffed and displayed within the natural history section of the Crystal Palace until destruction, in 1836, by fire. -  Le Petit Parisien [1238] 11 March 1900.

Elephant Charlie's Death - Attendant Charged with Torture - At Penge Police Court on Tuesday (before Mr James Judd, C.C., and other magistrates) Charles Darge, an attendant in the employ of Mr Lord George Sanger, was charged with torturing an elephant at the Crystal Palace on February 18th. A military lance, with which it was alleged prisoner probed the animal, was produced in court. Mr Judd inquired, at the opening, whether elephants were domestic animals.

Mr Polhill, who prosecuted for the R.S.P.C.A., said a case had already been decided on this point. In India, elephants were used for all sorts of domestic purposes. The case arose out of the terrible affair at the Crystal Palace on February I8th, when two elephants broke loose and a man was killed.

At the inquest it was stated that deceased and prisoner probed the elephant Charlie with a lance. Up to the time of the ill-treatment, the elephant was docile. Prisoner, who denied having tortured the elephant, was remanded in custody. The magistrates offered to accept bail, but no sureties were forthcoming. - South Wales Daily News [325] [361] 1st March 1900.