The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-06-24

"A TIGER AT LARGE IN ANTWEkP.-A
frightful mishap, accompanied by the most
tragic circumstances, spread terror, on Sun
day morning last, through the district of st.
Jacques. The Geological Garden has for o
long time been in possession of two mag
nifcent Bengal tigers, one of which was to
be forwarded to London. To avoid acci-
dent, the animal was placed in wagon Sc
cured with strong iron bars. The greatest
precaution was therefore taken to avoid o
catastrophe. At $3.50 in the morning the
railway servants perceived on enormous
animal clearing at bound the wall which
separates the Geological Garden from the
railway station. The tiger had in fact
escaped, having bent and broken two of the
iron bars of his cage. The first object OF
his fury was the cart-horse of nightman
which happened to be passing. The tiger
bounded ON the unfortunate horse, biting
him in the flank, and tearing the straps
which attached him to the cart. The driver,
who at first sought safety on the horses
back. hid himself under the cart, but not
before receiving wound in the leg from
the tigers paw. Meantime the horse, mad.
with terror and pain, galloped turlously
towards the market of St. Jacques, pur-
sued by the tiger. Here another de-
nlorable event occurred. A gardener who
was passing the street attracted the fury
of the beast. The tiger sprang at him.,
tearing his breast, legs, and neck in q fear
full manner. Having finished his victim, the
animal dragged the body some distance ne
then abandoned it and rushed into st. Annes
court, where his presence caused lndlscrl-
bable terror. nj. Vekemans, the director
of the Geological Garden, having been IN
formed of the escape, proceeded with his
staff in pursuit, and came up with the AMI
mal at the corner of St. Jacques street near
the house Verstrepen. A night-watchman
and three or four other persons took refuge
in a small shop opposite this house. Z The
t;oer spied them and stood for moment as
though he intended to rush at them through
the window. He pursued his course, how
ever, through the market. M. pekema4s
with his assistants, after the animal got
into ST. Anne's court, barricaded the en-
trance, and placed trap in it with view
of taking him alive. They then got into
the houses of the court in order 70
frirhten him into this trap. The tiger lay
eouched against the door Of the dtelser OF
M. De Braek eleer, the sculptor, but psrcelV.
ino one of the men in pursuit on the roof OF
. bouse. he leaped on the roof o lower house
and assumed o most menacing position. M.
Yekemans, De Braekeleer, Werbrouk, and
yerhoyen were armed with guns. The tiger
having perceived them, descended from % the },
roof, evidently bent on making ON Attack,
and when about four metres of, ne crouehed
to make his spring. The order TO flre was
given, and three guns we're discharged IN
succession. The first shot appeared TO have
missed, the second struck the animal, the
third inflicted q mortal wound. be totter Is
baak to the entrance of the court, where M !.
De Braekeleer finished him With fourth
shot. These gentlemen behaved With great
intrepidity, and but for their cooilasss and
the measures they adopted, much greater
injury would have been done. The gar,
'dener who was attacked never spoke, anu
died in the hospital the Same morning.
Eseuat, June 8. US