This Is The Single Craziest Thing You Never Knew Happened In Tennessee
Alright, guys – fair warning. This is a bit shocking, very sad, and the single craziest thing to happen in Tennessee. Why? Because Tennessee is known for being a kind, fair state with a heart for everyone – but mistakes happen, and history isn’t telling a lie.
We’re going to tell you a story that happened a long time ago and shocked the entire state. It happened once and never since, because once was enough. Ready to hear a story about our sweet little state and the black mark on our history? Well, here goes.
It's 1916, and we're in Erwin, Tennessee. Big Mary, a five-ton Asian elephant, was a part of Sparks World Famous shows, a circus that was making its circuit through the state.
On September 11, 1916, a hobo who went by Red Eldridge was somehow hired as an assistant to the elephant trainer. He led Mary through the streets, inexperienced and arrogant, and prodded her behind the ear when she reached to the ground to eat a watermelon rind.
On September 13, 1916, Mary was hanged by the neck at the top of a railcar-mounted industrial crane. After the the chain snapped once, she fell and broke her hip - succumbing to death in the second attempt at a hanging.
It’s a sad story, a strange story. One you’d hope wasn’t quite real. Nevertheless, “Murderous Mary” was the first and only elephant to hang for her crimes in the US. The story has been hemmed and hawed over the years, but her grave marker in Erwin tells the tale of a sad moment, gone away.
Moment of silence, perhaps? For the one elephant we lost, so long ago.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
Tennessee In Your Inbox
Thank you! You'll receive your first newsletter soon!
Meghan Kraft loves to travel the world, but she makes her home right here in Nashville, Tennessee. She holds a degree in English, and has worked in the digital marketing realm with companies such as Apartments.com, USA Today and HarperCollins Publishing.
