STANLY COUNTY, NC - HOFFMAN - Circus in Albemarle 1861
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From the notebook of Lilly Carter Hoffman 1888-1979:
As told to her from her Mother, Elizabeth Coble Carter:
 
My Mother was about 8 years old when the circus came to Albemarle and she was 
born in 1853. I suppose it was one of the first circuses seen in Albemarle. 
Mother said that her father, Ephraim Coble took her and the family to the 
circus. The tents were set up near a huge oak tree that spread its branches. 
Practically everyone in the surrounding country side turned out to see the 
spectacle. Since most had never seen it before, they came, whole families on 
foot, on horseback and in wagons from miles around. Near the circus was a rail 
fence on which were perched many onlookers.
An elephant was the feature attraction of the show. The big fellow hobbled by 
a chain and paced slowly around. He slung his snout from side to side to the 
delight of the spectators. An attendent told the people not to feed the 
elephant. Despite the warning, the men and the boys pulled tufts of grass and 
fed the animal. One prankster thought he'd have some fun by feeding the 
elephant a twist of  pungent homemade tobacco. When the mighty beast tasted 
the tobacco, he went beserk, broke his chain and rushed wildly at the crowd. 
Enraged he grabbed up rails from the fence with his trunk and begin slinging 
them. Many of the fleeing, squalling people felt rails swoosh by them and thud 
to the ground. Luckily none were killed."
 
Submitted by Jodie Gee