Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1868-11-21
THRILLING SCENE.

Fire In PhiIRdelPhia-A MenRgerie
Breaks LOOse-A Bengal Tiger on
the Rampage Panic Among the
People.
From the Philadelphia Press. Nov. l6.
Saturday evening flames were dis
covered issuing from large three story
building near the junction of G:dge
avenue and Jefferson street, occupied by
Messrs. Clarke d Co., as a saw mill and
sash factory. The flames spread with
great rapidity, and in q short time at
tanned such headwaE as to battle the
efforts to check them. The fire then
communicated to a long row Of shedding
in the rear of the building, which was
soon destroyed
Adjoining on the north was large
structure of frame and brick, which was
owned by Adam FOrepaugb for winter
ing the animals composing his managerie,
and which had been taken possession Of
but few days before for that purpose.
Messengers were promptly dispatched
to the men employed about the menagerie,
and fortunately some of them were found
and instantly FASTENED to the scene.
The fears that the building would take
fire were realized, as the flames spread
from the shedding attached to the saw
mill
The quick vibrations of the pistOns Of
the steam fire engines, the exhaust steam,
the shrek of their whistles, the ring
ing Of hose carriage bells, and the gem
eraI tumult incident to a fire, were
enough to Brighten the beasts When,
however, scores of men dashed in upon
them, clad in all sorts of equipments, the
animals for awhile must have thought an
exhibition was being gotten up for their
edifcation.
The flames spread rapidly, and the cry
went up to save the animals, and the fire.
men pitched in regardless OF conse'
uuences. The animals, when the flames
came in such proximity, were frantic,
the additional excitement, added to the
noise, becoming unbearable. The dens
we're seized by the fremen, and they
moved away with them as though they
were solid structures. The consequence
was that some of the bars became dis
placed, and the animals, seeing a chance
for escape, lost no time in availing them
solves OF it.
The dens were rudely but securely
built for the purpose of holding the
animals, but it was not expected that a
speedy removal Of them would be
necessitated. In removing the den con-
tanning the lion from the structure upon
which it was placed, it received a severe
Jar, and the result was, it commenced to
fall to pieces. A large number of men,
however, surrounded it, and held it to-
gether until it was landed in the street,
when a cage was brought up and placed
over it, thus safely securing the lion,
which had not obtained its freedom
thanks to the bravery of the men who
held the den together
A Bengal tiger effected its escape by
the breaking of plank in.Lthe den dur
, ing lis removal. and started off up Ridge
, avenue, followed by a boy. The anima
, Jumped over a fence and went INTO thu
? ward to the stable, where it was captured
= by some of the menagerie folks and safe
" secured.
AtTTenty- third and Jefferson streets
something walked up the steps Of resi-
dence where three ladies were standin
looking at the fire One Of them think
, ing the thing was a dog, kicked at it. bu
the thing would not be driven of tha
. Wav, and walked into the house, the Ia
dies making room for it when they tOun
it would not be kicked away. A ma
f suddenly dashed by the ladies and int
the house, where he found the thing b
e was in search ola Brazilian tiger
!. the kitchen, amusing itself with a ca
h | Whether his tigership was playing arOun
= the cat until it recovered its breath afte
its excitement, and then intended to d.
e YOUR it, does net transpire, for the ma
of suddenly threw carpet over the AMIN
e and bore it off in triumph.
e, The cage Of monkeys was the most II
he dicrous thing to behold, as the creatur
gibbered away and performed all mann
o. Of antics. Parrots spoke out in teri
&c that would have done credit to q bas
singer, and the feathered tribe that cou
e not speak were moving about their Gag
:. like bats in a lighted room.
"' Mr. Forepaugh thinks some Of Z
smaller animals, such as rabbits al
Guinea pigs, were burned, but the lar
ne est animal missing is monkey IL
:" also said that fellow was seen gOi
d down Ridge avenue with a monkey und
:, his coat, but whether that was the mi,
Cd ing monkey or one he runs to fires wi
49,. has not transFired
er When the news of the escape of I
III animals spread around the neighborhOl
, a there was great distress on the part
it persons whose relations were out, |
they should be devoured Houses W,
lty shut up and the occupants assembled
nd the upper stories to look out of the W
- dows; but some of the naughty iren
lr- would not allow them peace here, as Il
ing cried out, Look out, there comes a ii
l'h up the water-spout" Without stopping
Oh look, down went windows and up W
49,, screams, and yesterday morning Sc
10y women could not be induced to lei
Of their beds until the male occupa
our searched the premises from garrett to
and lar.