Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-06-01
THE GAZETTE.
TUESDAY EVENING, JUNE l.

ROBINSON CRUsoE's ISLAND CoLoNIZED.-
The Gartenlaube, widely circulated German
illustrated paper, published in Leipzig, has this
bit of information, which is of interest 10 the
world over At distance OF less than a three
day 8 voyage from Valparaiso, in Chill, and
nearly in the same latitude with this import
ant port on the western coast of South Amcrl-
ca. is the island Of Juan Fernandez, where
once upon time Alexander Selkirk, during a
solitary Punishment OF four years, gathered
the material for Defoe's Robinson Crusoe
This island, little thought Of by the inhabitants
OF the Chilian coastland, has lately become OF
some interest by the fact that In December,
1868, it was ceded to q society OF Germans,
under guidance OF Robert Wehrhan, an engl-
neer from SaxOny, Germany, for the purpose
OF colonization The entrepreneur OF TINS expe-
ditiou, Robt Wehrhan, lett fatherland eleven
years since, passed several years IN England
served as major throughout the war OF the
republic against secession, and was suisse
auently engaged as engineer in connection with
the Cerro- Paso railroad 10 South America. -
lie and his society, about sixty or seventy indi
vlduals, have taken possession OF the island,
which is described as being most fertile and
lovely spot. They found there countless herds
of goats; some thirty half.wid horses, and
sixty donkeys, the latter animals proving to be
exceedingly shy. They brought with them
cows and other cattle, swine, numerous fowls,
and all the various kinds OF agricultural nipple
ments, with boats and fishing apparatus, to
engage in different pursuits and occupations.
The grotto, made famous as Robinson's abode,
situated In spacious valley, covered with large
fields OF wild tufnips-a desirable food Tor
swine-has been assigned to the hopeful young
GILLIAN gentleman to whom the care OF the
porcine part Of the society's stock has been
entrusted, and he and his proteges are doing
very We'll in their new quarters. Juan Fernan
DEE is one Of the stations where whaling YES
sells take in water and wood.
SCENE IN THE CAGE OF AN ENRAGED LION.
The New Orleans Picayune says An Incl
deut occurred at the circus, corner OF Bourbon
and Orleans streets, which nearly became
tragedy. Ii is well known to our people that
Herr Lingel, the lion tanner, at the close Of the
performance enters the cage OF the lions. For
more than year the lioness has lad great
antipathY to him has more than once attacked
him with savage terocity. AT Madison, Indiana,
last summer, she came vesy near killing him,
and as il still remembering the advantage then
obtained, she made similar attack, which
came near being fatal. For some time before
entering the dens, they discovered great un-
easiness, and when the lion tanner mounted the
ladder which led into the cage, the lioness as
sumed position which threatened an immcdi-
ate attack.
Undeterred by this manifestation OF hostility,
the iron nerved performer threw open the door,
and darted in. For moment tho scene was
thrilling. The lions seemed mad with rage,
aud sprang from one side OF the cage to the
other in apparently ungovernabe Jury. The
lioness was particularly spiteiul, and sprung at
him more than once with open mouth but tue
mesmeric power OF the eye controlled hex. and
she as often retreated into the iurthai corner OF
the cage, growing sullenly. Compelling the
lions to 60 through their usual performance.
Herr Lingel was about -e:reating trow the den,
when the lioness, az il, possessed with sudden
fury, sprang at him, and clutched his knee III
her teeth. The audience was appalled,. The
shrieks Of women mingled with shouts of men.
Everybody expected to see the man torn limb
srom limb. But with admirable presence OF
mind he succeeded in releasing the hold of the
animal and retreated from the cage. Although
dangerously wounded, his injuries are such as
will not preclude his speedy recovery.