Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1868-11-24
From the Philadelphia Inquirer, Nov. 16.
A MENAGERIE DESTROYED BY FIRE.
Exciting Scenes Wild Animals Loose in
the Street-Great Loss of Property.

| On Saturday evening last, few minutes be-
| fore seven clock, fire broke out at Twenty
first street and Ridge avenue, which, both in
the destruction to property that it occasioned
and the peculiar circumstances attending it, has
not been equalled in this city for some time.
On Ridge avenue, extending over the space
OF three numbers-2l0l, 2103 and 2l05-stood
the large saw mill and cabinet works of Roscoe
Clark & Co.
The adjoining premises on the north, frame
building used for stablng purposes and a
three. story brick structure next to this, owned
by Adam Forepaugh, of menagerie fame, and
used by him as winter quarters for the horses
and animals of his show, were soon ablaze \
The buildings of Mr.. Forepaugh were COM
pletely wrecked. He estimates his loss at be-
tween $4,000 or OOOO He had no insu
rance whatever upon his properties Two or
three cages of small animals were destroyed );
one Of them contained several specimens of
monkeys, the others were filed with foxes, rae
coons and wolves. Besides, no less than fifteen
OF his fancy wagons were destroyed, in addition
to harness and other paraphernalia incident to
menagerie. Although, as mentioned, some
OF the animals were burned, fortunately the
great majority OF them were rescued. The
beasts were contained in cages mounted on
trestles. AS soon as the flames were first dis
covered the animals were thought off, and citi-
zens rushed in and rolled the cages out into the
street 1t was impossible to save the wagons.
The fire burned stubbornly for some two
hours before the firemen could get it under con-
troll
OF course the fire soon gathered large
crowd to the spot, and the highest excitement
reigned-an excitement, too, very materially
augmented by the escape of several of the an
lmas from the cages during the hurried con-
fusion of rescuing them from the rapidly ap-
preaching flames. Before the fire reached the
building In which were most of the cages, the
hremen and citizens had succeeded in getting
them out and running them along the sidewalk
and the street. While this work was in prog
ress, tigress was seen making her way out of
the building. She had escaped from the cage
in which she was confined, and, bristling with
fright rushed toward the street-rapidly, to be
sure-but yet with much uncertainty.
AS soon as she was observed shout arose
IA tiger! tiger and men, women and chill
dren, dismayed at the thought of encountering
the formidable beast, ran pell nell in every di-
rection, IN search of places Of safety The
women shrieked, the children cried and the
men yelled. The very noise lent speed to fly
ing legs, and some Of the more aged, hurrying
In flight, made far better time than they had
done for years The fremen, however, stood
their ground, watching chance to capture the
escaped animal. Following after the tigress
came leopard, then wolf. Things were get
ting warm, and one might easily have imagined
himself-as the noise of the cracking timbers
flames burst upon his eyes, and the unshackled
beasts passed near him-upon Western pra-
re while it biazed in fire.
The people who had been gazing from doors
and windows upon the scene Of conhagration
hastily retreated, and shutters were closed in
trlce. Clouds OF pettlcoats lodged around the
corners, and many were tramped under foot In
the demorazed skedaddle The fortunate
presence Of Mr.. Forepaugh and some of his
assistants at the breaking out Of the fire, to-
gether with the mani y conduct OF the fremen,
prevented, however, any serious consequences
resulting from the escape Of the beasts.
In one instance, where bar was loose from
one Of the cages, and tiger was endeavoring
to make his exit, two men stood by the open
ing with clubs and beat back the animal until
one of MIR. Forepaugh's employees reached the
scene and replaced the iron bar. A lion sue
ceeded in getting free, but as the huge brute
was about to pass down the street some OF the
fremen seized large packing box, and throw
ing it over the dangerous customer, held him
prisoner until after the fire was extinguished.
The animals themselves were evidently fright
ened, and only sought, after their escape,
places where they could hide.
Some of the employees of Mr. Forepaugh
started III pursuit of the fugitive animals. The
tigress was found in the cellar of building
about two squares distant from the fire, where
she had taken refuge; she was easily captured.
The leopard ran up Jefferson street to Twenty
first, when, perceiving the open door Of
dwelling, in he ran, passing, on his way to the
parlor, one or two ladies. They at first sup>
posed the brute large dog, but after they dis
covered its true character precipitately left the
place. Mr.. Forepaugh's assistants some time
afterward were informed of his whereabouts
and captured him.
Recent official reports show that in some dis
tricts of England boys go to work in factories
when they are eight years old, and get about
sixty-two cents Of our money week for servi~
ces. After laboring many years one becomes a
weaver, and if very fortunate can earn pound,
OR five dollars week. He does not read Or
write has no social enjoyment, no recreation
beyond that Of the rudest character-nothing
to say in political matters, and is not altogeth-
er so we'll off as his rich employers horse
1t is thus shown that white labor in England