Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1867-07-13
A THRILLING SCENE.
A Lion Attacks His Keeper and
Attempts to Tear Him to Pieces.

From the Rochester IN. " Democrat. July o.
The immense audience assembled
under the canvas of Messrs. Thayer a
Moves, Falls Fields, on Thursday eve
ming, we're treated TO performance
which they had not anticipated, and
which everybody present would Willingly
have foregone. The entertainment had
passed off to the entire satisfaction OF the
spectators, and, as q browning act, the
large cage containing two lion7 and two
lionesses was drawn into the ng, when
Mr.. Charles White, the keepet, entered
it to exhibit his control over tbs ferocious
beasts. The animals are full grown,
Young and active-in short the best
specimens of their species we ever saw
and one Of the lions is remarkably wild
and intractable. Mr.. White, however,
having full confidence in his power to
control them, entered with entil fearless
ness and began to put the beat sthrough
their PAGES. All proceeded yell for a
time, but at length one of the ! oss began
to be fractions and disobediert, where
upon Mr.. White struck him two or three
blows with whip. Suddenl,- the ami
NAL made spring and seized lr. White
by the shoulder with his teeth, shaking
him as a dog would rat, and finally
throwing him on his back upon the floor
of the cage. A thrill of horror passed
through the assemblage of spectators,
Ladies screamed and tainted many peo'
ple fastened to leave the establishment /;
some with terror blanched couutenances
awaited in silence the result and others
rushed into the ring, vaguely and vainly
hoping 10 rescue the adventurous lion
tanner from the fate which apparently
awaited him.
Meanwhile Mr.. White coolly awaited
the issue. He was helpless for the mo-
ment. the lion, with both fore paws upon
his breast, holding him down and retain
ing his shoulder within those terrible
jaws. The angry growls of the ferocious
beast we're frightful, and he was evidently
determined to make the most of his OPP
portunity. Mr.. NoYes, one of the pro
prietors Of the circus, happened, fortu'
nately to be near, and seizing an iron
bar. dashed the end Of it against the
lions head with such force that the ami
NAL was surprised into relaxing his hold
In an instant Mr.. White had regainet
his feet and his control over tho oceu
pants of the cage. With few well di
rected blows Of his whip he reasserteC
his supremacy, and the recently victo
rious king of beasts was reduced to sub
mission.
It would naturally be supposed tina
after such an experience Mr.. Whit
would be disposed to part company will
his dangerous companions as soon a
possible; but he is not made Of the kind
of material to yield peint He wa
terribly injured, the teeth Of the hoi
having penetrated his shoulder deepl!
and lacerated the hssh in a shsckinl
manner. besides crushing the bones 20 a
10 render the left arm almost useless
DESPITE his sufrerings and the obvious Il
will Of the lion, he proceeded with th'
performance TO the end. Luckily th
rage Of the other lion and lioness had no
been excited, and he had only one rec
enemy to fear. he compelled the savag
animals TO 90 through with their acts 8
usual. and concluded by feeding them
quantity Of raw beef. handing the mea
in pieces to each animal in turn. II
then quietly left the cage, and pet I'll
then was any one made avare Of u
serious character Of his hurts.
Mr.. White did not faint avs As on
Of our contemporaries asserts, Mess b
[ did 80 Afsr leaving The arena He va
conveyed to the National Hotel in = car
rage. and nov Ess there 10 o. criiiea
condition. He is under The care Of ID
Whi,beck, Who has reduced the racturo'
/ bones and hopes % restore the patient :