Meigs County telegraph. [volume] (Pomeroy [Ohio]) 1848-1859, 1851-06-19
vas AMauRG, TnG LOS rAMER,.

|
Van Anburg was born in 1919, at FISH.
kill, New York State, thirty milee from the
city Of that name. lie is descended, as
may be indicated BY bis name, from one Of
the original Dulch settlers of iha, Stale. At
tho age of fifteen, with a fine constitution
and great good temper, he left his native
for New York, whore he rcsidcd, as clerk {,
in The house Of relative. Van Amburg
was, however, not calculated for tho drudg-
cry Of the business pursuits OF that city, aud
found more congenial employment after. SET
ting out on his ranbles, in u company which
was engaged taking acaravsn Of @ild beasts i.
through. the principal cities Of the United
ISlaless He,had nov become twenty, years
Of age, With fine figure, ron lranse ana
herculeen strength, which admirably suited
the deyelopement Of his peculiar faculties.
He is sngularIy mado, and one Of the most
athletic Of his size In tho world. His body
is nearly round, but greaicr in thickness than
in breadth. His bones large and firmly set,
and his flesh almost all muscle. Never.he.
less, from his singular conformation, he is .
remarkable Tor The tgb,ness and grace Of
his movements.
His first intercourse with lions, &C., was
purely BY accident. A, jersey Guy, oppo'
size New York. caravan Of live animals
was exhibited. The lion was uncommonly
good tempered, aud as part Of the exhibit
lion, one of the keepers was In the habit OF
entering his cage. On one occasion, this
individual was absent, the audience impa'
iient, no one to enter the cage, and row in
perspective. In this extremity Of distress,
Van Amburg had compassion, while he felt
his latent energies reused 10 action. "l'l
go into the cage" said he to the manager
Ho took cane, entered The cage, walked up
10 the lion, talked to him and 10 few Sc
oonds they became quite inuma!e. ''ln up.
proachng wild animals" says Van Amburg,
"courage is everything"
This was but the commencement of his
course. The lion died, and the company
dispersed. lie joined caravan called tho
Geological Institute, in New York, which
comprehended the raresI specimens and fall
es assortment of wild beasts obtainable q,
that date, Here he prosecuted his lavorne
pursuit, studied the tcmpers and habits Of
the various animals, and proceeded in their
civilization step by s,ep. until they wore all
perfectly subject 10 his orders. s.
He first associated in one cage lion aud
tiger. This presented remarkable scenes.
These TWO animals would fight Tor months.
and sometimes he would give over one of
them for dead. On such occasions, Van
Amburg, after they had exhausted each 9th.
er would enter The cage, and begin his course
Of discipline TO control both. Gradually he
added animal to animal, till he had gotas
far as len animals in one cage. On several
occasions, he had severe conflicts, with The
Tiger particularly but nothing dangerous.--
When he talks of these animals he Is high.
ly interesting. "The tiger" says Van Am.
burg, sis like a reckless good.for.no,hing,
drunken rascal, who spends his time care
lessly al taverns, and fights al a moment.
Tigers all have bad, spiteful tempers. The
lion is not so irascible; he is slower and
cooler; bu, there are not the gerrrous feel.
ings about him which he has been cracked
up for. The leopards ure like ca's--playtul,
but easily provoked" There is nothing
hardly more interesting Than 10 hear this
history of his intercourse with these animals
from his own lips.
Van Amburg has novel and practical
theory to account tor his power over them
From the first moment Of his intercourse
with them he talked 10 them Us he would TO
n human being. "They believed, " says ne,
chat | have power 10 tear every one OF
them TO pieces, If they do not act as | ssy.
tell them SO, and have frequently enforced
il with heavy crowbar," The personal
strength, the peculiar cast of his eye, the
rapidity Of his movements, the tone of his
voice, all tend TO present to them an idea OF
superior power, which in sudden bursts of
passion makes them crouch in ono corner oil
The cage. Van Amburg's eyes All peculiar;
one of Them has remarkable cast, which
rather heighlens the effect Of the expressive
face. On one occasion in New York, the
tiger became very ferocious. Van Amburg
very coolly took his crowbar, and gave him
a tremendous blow over the head. He then
said 10 him in good English, as if he was a
human creature, "You big scoundre, if you
show me any more Of your pranks, I'll
knock your brains out! accompanying 1t
with loud menaces and strong gesIiculation.
After this the Tiger behaved like gentleman
for couple Of months.
Or visiting England, Van Amburg was
separated from the animals for several
weeks. They arrived in London, he in
Liverpool. As soon as he reached London,
he went to see them. On his appearance
outside The cage one Of the strangest scenes
was presented that ever was beheld. The
lions, tigers, eopards all recognized him az
once. When he entered among the group,
they crouched, they crawled, they ashed
their tails, with every demonstration Of de-
light, in beholding lin once more. He
scratched the neck of the great male lion,
and his majesty growed forth his gratifica'
tiun in tones which sounned like distant
thunder.
In ancient and modern history instances
are known Of attempts made 10 lame single
animals; but dll The present era there is no
such mighty exhibition Of human oy an
imol power, as Mr.. Van Amburg presents.
-CiSi'S Advertiser.
M:.a