In the fall of 1922, the circus rolled into town and brought with it Topsy, a four-ton elephant that would escape her handlers twice and lead a chase through Wilmington that included a swim in the Cape Fear River and a warpath of damaged buildings. The second season premiere episode of "Cape Fear Unearthed" follows Topsy's story with the help of Jan Davidson, the historian for the Cape Fear Museum in Wilmington.

Cape Fear Unearthed is written, edited and hosted by Hunter Ingram.

Additional editing by Adam Fish. Recorded at WHQR in downtown Wilmington.

A StarNews Media Production. This season is sponsored by Northchase Family Dentistry.

Sources:

"Stories Old and New of the Cape Fear Region" by Louis T. Moore

Wilmington Morning Star, October 1922 editions

"Legends of Old Wilmington & Cape Fear" by John Hirchak