"No matter the time line, perhaps a travelling circus or show picked one up, and it ended up in Mississippi?"

Sounds like as good of a theory as any to me. The reason I was wondering if Old Douglas had been property of the U.S. government is simply this. If he was from private stock, such as a circus or show that's one thing. But if he was by chance former property of the U.S. Army one could almost say he had "seceded". The political parties of today have their elephant and donkey as symbols. If Old Douglas did "secede" maybe he would make a good mascot for some other party affiliation such as the Southern Independence Party LOL! Just thought that was ammusing.

P.S. to whoever reads this. __ If my sense of humor doesn't make sense to you don't feel like you are alone, just ask my wife :0)