Animal trainer John King, of the John Robinson Circus, was killed on September 27, 1880, after being crushed by an elephant.
The elephant, known as Chief, had a reputation for being unruly. His murderous behavior was blamed on surging testosterone from musth, a breeding cycle that male elephants periodically go through.
While the circus was in Charlotte for performances, Chief rammed King into his railcar cage and crushed him, reportedly breaking every bone in his body. Chief then started to rampage, but was captured and tied to a larger female elephant named Mary to get him back under control.
After this incident, Chief was sent to a zoo in Cincinnati, where he is reported to have killed 2 additional people before being put down by a firing squad. His body was then made into steaks served at a local restaurant. His skin and skeleton were stuffed and put on display at the University of Cincinnati. Eventually the skeleton was sent to the Cincinnati Museum Center, where it remains.
Know Before You Go
This is inside an expansive historical cemetery. Free to access, park along the streets inside the cemetery. The grave is close to the 6th Street entrance. Upon entering, veer to the left at the Y intersection just inside the gate. At the next intersection look to the right to find the grave a little back from the road, near a tree.
Latitude and Longitude: 35°14’04.0″N 80°50’50.3″W
Well worth checking out for other cool graves all around the cemetery including one that is sculpted like a log cabin.
