'''Topsy the
Elephant' (circa 1875 -
January 4, 1903) was a member of a domesticated herd at
Coney Island's Luna Park. She had been a part of the Forepaugh Circus previously. Topsy was deemed an ill-tempered and dangerous animal in that she killed three men in as many years, the last being an abusive trainer who tried to feed her a lit cigarette. For this reason, her owners decided to put her to death.
Cyanide poisoning failed, and a proposal of
hanging was abandoned after American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals protests.
Thomas Edison suggested
electrocution, using the
Westinghouse alternating current system of electricity transmission, which Edison, a backer of
direct current, argued was more dangerous. The ASPCA found this suggestion acceptable, viewing electrocution as a more humane form of killing. Electrocution killed Topsy quickly. Edison recorded the execution with a motion picture camera, and showed his film to audiences around the country, as part of his unsuccessful attempt to discredit AC.
A memorial for Topsy was placed in the Coney Island Museum on
July 20 2003.
See also
External links
category:Famous elephants
Category:1875 births
Category:1903 deaths
Category:New York City cultural history
Category:Brooklyn