Over one hundred years ago, in 1885, an elephant from the P.T. Barnum Circus was executed on the land that would later become Keene State’s campus. James McCormack, an animal trainer for the circus, was killed by the elephant known as Albert, who was then sentenced to death for the accident.
Albert was killed on the banks of the Ashuelot River. According to reports, he was tied to a tree, had a bullseye drawn on him and then was subsequently shot to death.
The Equinox previously reported on an exhibit dedicated to Albert at the Historical Society of Cheshire County was displayed, which featured both parts of his hide and a shell casing from one of the bullets that killed him.
A monument honoring the deceased elephant once stood on the banks of the river where he died, but it was vandalized and destroyed.
Jill Howard Church, a writer and photographer who specializes in animal welfare, is working to restore the monument that originally honored Albert on the banks of the Ashuelot River. She provided some insight into the matter and what happened to the original monument.
“It [the monument] disappeared,” Chuch said. “The prevailing story is people chipped it away as souvenirs and there’s a rumor that someone stole the rest of it. It’s never been found.”
Church started the campaign to restore the monument last July, and discovered what happened to Albert while researching Topsy, a female elephant that suffered a similar fate. Church reinforced that the campaign is “just in the early stages” but that she would like to see the monument restored by next summer.
“I think it would greatly aid the college’s view on humanity and the natural world,” Church said. “Promoting respect for the natural world is important. Elephants belong in their natural environment.”
Church also commented on the lack of knowledge regarding Albert due to how long it’s been since his killing.
“It was certainly a big deal when it happened,” Church said. “But I think it has been a bit lost to time. I don’t think most people know about it. But elephants matter in Keene just like they matter anywhere else.”
Church added that Albert was killed behind where the Pondside dormitories are on Keene State’s campus at a bend in the river. According to Church, the circus “used to take elephants to play in the water” at that very location.
Church also reflected on Albert’s mark on history.
“Albert was the first elephant put to death for threatening behavior,” Church said. “He was only nine years old [at death]. I think he’s symbolic of all of the elephants after him. It’s a sad precedent in history. I think it would be really nice if another monument could be placed in that spot.”
Chloe Erno can be contacted at
