The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1861-02-01
A Man Killed by a Lion.
From the London Times. Jan s.

Yesterday morning terrible encounter
took place at Astiey's Amphitheater. An
under-groom named Smith was literally
throttled to death BY one of the lions which
play SO prominent a part in the holiday en-
tertainments at that favorite place Of amuse-
ment. The lions, three in number, are con-
fined in cage at the back of the stage
When the night watchman left the theater
yesterday morning, a few minutes before
:, he reported "all right" Shortly afterward
Smith. the deceased, entered the place and
found the lions prowling about. They had
torn off heavy iron bar which crossed the
front of their cage, and then burst open the
door. Smith was alone, and, not being IA
miliar with the animals he attempted to es-
cape into an adjoining stable-yard. His sit
uation was frightfrl one, and most men
would have acted precisely as he did under
similar circumstances; but the probability is
that if he had stood his ground boldly his
life would have been saved. Unfortunately
one of the lions-that which is known by the
name of Havelock-caught sight of the re-
treating figure, and instantly sprang upon him
seized him by the launches, pulled him to the
ground, and then fixed its teeth in his throat
Death must have been almost instantaneous,
but, as Smith was found a good deal cut and
bruised at the back of the head, it is SUP
posed that the lion, after burying its fangs
in his throat, dragged him about and dashed
his head against the ground. 1t seems, In
fact, to have worried him, though the wounds
inflicted by the brute are neither so numer-
Gus nor SO severe as might have been expect
ed. There were no cries for help. but sort
of shutfiing noise was heard bv a man in the
stable yard. lie suspected WI at had occur
red and did not venture to open the door
through which Smith had endeavored to es-
cape, blt he gave the alarm, and in a few
minutes was Joined by several grooms and
others connected with the theater. They
were all, however, too much afraid to enter
the place, and nothing was done to ascertain
the fate of Smith until the arrival of Crock
EFT, the Lion Conqucror, to whom the ami
mails belong. As soon as he reached the
/ spot he passed through the door alone, none
of the others daring to follow. The body of
Smith was lying face upward 4 few feet from
the door, aid !ia' clock was crouchlng owe!
it as hungry dog hangs over a piece of
meat Crockett Immediately threw the ami
NAL off and dragged his body into the yard
1t was still warm. but lie had been extinct
for some time. \ surgeon was sent for, but
of course he could render no assistance
Crockett lost no time in securing the lions
They allowed him to capture them easy e
nough. Even Havelock did not offer any re
sistance. and the other two. which had taker
no part in the terrible scene with Smith
seemed rather afraid than otherwise. In 6
few minutes all three were back in their cage
again, and last night they went through then
usual performances before crowded audi
ence. Smith was unmarried. There will
of course. be an inquiry into the the circum
stances which attended the unhappy man:
death.