Original Artwork: Kingsport 1 – Caroline Heinecke

Promptography
Fine Art Print

In 1916, in Kingsport, Tennessee, a female elephant was hanged from a crane.

Mary, also known as "Murderous Mary," was a five-ton Asian elephant who performed in a circus. In September 1916, in Kingsport, Tennessee, she killed circus worker Walter "Red" Eldridge on his second day as her handler, leading to her public execution by hanging from a crane. Eldridge, although unqualified, was leading the elephant parade and riding on Mary's back; Mary, as the star of the show, led at the front. Multiple accounts describe his death, with one alleged eyewitness reporting that Eldridge jabbed her behind the ear with a hook after she bent down to eat a watermelon rind. Enraged, Mary grabbed him with her trunk, threw him against a drink stand, and crushed his head underfoot.

Mary was then hanged by the neck from an industrial crane mounted on rails. The first attempt failed as the chains snapped, causing Mary to fall and break her hip, while dozens of children fled in panic. Mary died during a second attempt and was buried beside the tracks. A veterinarian examined Mary post-execution and discovered she had a severely infected tooth precisely where Eldridge had jabbed her.

Edition of 10

The print is delivered unframed.