The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1869-04-06
GheQnteuiqetree1::
WILD BEASTS OUrFOR A HOLIDAY.
The Elephant ana the Lion Loose
One Attacks a Locomotive and the
Other the RatIVes-HcrcnIes on
his Muscle.

Correspondence Of Brandon hiSJ.) Republican.
FOREST, MISS, March 24.-Several
days previous immense posters were
pasted on all the walls in town, an
nouncing that Reynolds Great Mexican
Gymnasium and Menagerie would eX-
hibit in Forest on that day. Early in
the morning all the roads leading TO
town were thrOnged with people, of all
ages, sexes and cOlors, and by 10 o'clock
the whole town was alive with visitors,
awaiting the arrival of the menRgerie.
At IL the fine brass band announced
the arrival of the show, and by ~ the
canvas was stretched, and the cages of
the animals arranged.
The huge elephant Hercules-the
largest ever imported into this country
was chained to stake; and, by way
of caution to those entering the canvas,
John Alston, his keeper, stated that he
had for several days manifested dis.
position of characterization, and begged
that no one would approach sufficiently
near to receive. a blow from his trunk.
Mr.. Mark Kite, from the northern part
of this county, coming In after Mr.. AL
ston's admonition, thoughtlessly hand
ed him piece OF tobacco, which so en-.
ragged him that he struck ut him with
such violence as to dislOcate his shoul-
der, although 1t was glancing blow.
He plunged with such force that he
broke his chain, and, although his keep
er used every effort to subdue him, he
was entirely uncomfortable, and he
would strike and kick at every object
near. BY this time the scene was be-
yond description. The vast crowd flew
for life. He flew at his keeper and
pursued him under the canvas.
The IL O'Clock freig ght train being be-
hind time, and not having any freight
for Forest, and the engineer not intend
ing to stop, came rushing along at the
rate of twenty miles an hour. When II
had approached within 200 yards he
looked up the road and seemed doubly
enraged. He Immediately ran toward
1t with great speed and met it with
such a shock that he broke one of his
tusks and was Immediately killed. The
engine was detached from the train and
thrown from the track, and Mr.. Whar-
ten, the engineer, having failed to shut
OFT steam, II unfortunately ran into the
canvas and smashed the lions cage,
killing the lioness and releasing Inc
lion. The lion finding himself unInjur-
ed and at liberty, and being frightened
by the steam and whistle or the engine,
started at full speed down the Home-
wood road roaring territicly. He had
gone but short distance when he met
MIR. George w. Sheppard and gave
chase. Mr.. Sheppard finding that he
was gaining on him rapidly, and that
he would certainly be OVertaken, at
tenn pied 10 climb Il sapling. He struck
at him with his paw as he assembled, but
fortunately did no other damage than
to tear off his coat tail and carry away
part of his pants.
Mr.. John Smith, of Raleigh, who was
on his way to Forest, riding his fine
pacing horse, with his little son behind
him, met him four miles from here. AS
soon as his horse saw him he neighed,
when the lion rushed at him, seized
him by the throat and threw him 10 the
ground. Mr.. Smith with his little son
escaped to the woods and made their
way 10 Forrest on foot.
While he was devouring Mr.. Smiths
horse, Mr.. James J. Ritch, who was on
his way to Forest with a load of chick
ems, drove up. As soon as he saw him
he reared on his hind feet lashed the
ground with his tail, and sprang at him.
Mr.. Ritch eluded him by jumping from
his wagon, when he mounted and
began 10 tear open the boxes containing
the chickens and turned them out. He
then seemed TO loose sight OF every
thing in his efforts to eaten them.
When the excitement in town abated,
about twenty mounted men, we'll arm
ed, started in pursuit with all the dogs
belonging in town as we'll as many that
had followed their owners. Mr.. Rey..
nolds, the owner of the lion, begged
them not to kill him, and sent several
men with the crowd with instructions
to capture him if possible, but no doubt
the citizens will Kill him as soon as
they oVertake him.
1t Is reported that he killed freed
man in Smith county, near Mr.. Thomas
Husbands, and that when last heard
from he was going down OCoha. The
news that the lion is at large spreads
like wild fire, and the citizens are great
lV excited,