The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1869-05-15
From the Brandon (Miss.,) Republican,
WILD BEASTS OUT FOR A HOI-
EDAY.

tFroIn the Brandon (sfiss., RepubIican.1
WILD BEASTS OUT FOR A HOL.
EDAY.
Several days previous immense posters
were pasted on all the walls in town. an
nouncing that Reynolds Great Mexican
Gymnasium and Menagcrie would exhib-
it 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 ten o'clock the
whole town was aliYe with visitors await
ing the arrival Of the mcnagerie. At
eleven the fine brass band announced the
arrival Of the show and by twelve the
canvass was stretched and the cages Of
the animals arranged.
The huge elephant Herculcs-the lar.
gest ever imported to this country-yas
chained to stake, and By way Of caution
to those entering the canvass, Dir. John
Aston, his keeper, stated that he had
Tor several days manifested disposition
Of insubordination, and begged that no
one would approach sufficiently near to
receive blow from his trunk. Mr. NJ
Kite, from the northern part Of the coun-
ty, coming in after Mr. Alston's admoni-
ton, thoughtlcssly handed him a piece
OF tobacco, which 50 cnragcd him that he
struck at him with such violence as to
dislocate his shoulder, although it was
glancing blow. lie plunged with such
force that he broke his chain, and al
though his keeper used every effort to
subdue him be was entirely uncontrolla-
bic, aud he would strike and kick at ev-
cry object near him. by this time the
scene was beyond description. The vast
crowd few for life. lie flew at his
keeper and pursued him from under the
canvass.
The eleven o'clock freight-train. being
behind 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 il
had approached within two hundred yards
he looked up the road and seemed doubly
enraged. He Immediately ran toward it
With great speed and met with such a
shock that broke one Of his tusks and
was Immediately killed The engine was
detached from the train and thrown from
the track, and Mr.. Wharton, the engin-
eer, having failed to shut of steam. it un-
fortunately ran into the canvas and
smashed the lions cage, killing the lion
ess and releasing the lion. The lion finding
himself uninjured and at liberty, and be.
ing frightened By the steam and whistle
of the engine, started at full speed down
the Homewood road roaring terrifcalIy.
He had gone but a short distance when
he met Dir. George W. Sheppard and
gave chase. Mr.. Sheppard finding that
ho was gaining on him rapidly and that
he would certainly be oycrtaken, attempt
ed TO climb a sapling. He struck at him
with his paw, as he ascended, but fortu-
nately 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 pa
eing horse, with his little son behind him,
met him four miles from here As soon
as his horse saw him, he ncighed, when
the lien rushed at him seized him By the
throat and threw him upon the ground
Mr.. Smith with his little son escaped to
the woods and made their way to Forest
on foot.
While he was devouring Mr.. Smiths
horse, Mr. James j. Ritch, who was on
his way to Forest with q load Of chickens,
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 the
wagon, when the lion mounted and began
to tear open the boxes containing the
chickens and turned them out. He then
seemed to loose sight of everything in his
efforts to catch them.
When the excitement in town abated,
about twenty mounted men, well armed,
started in pursuit with all the dogs be-
longing in town, as well as many that had
followed their owners. Dir. Reynolds,
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 citi-
zens viii kill him as soon as they over
take him.
1t is reported that he killed freedman
in Smith county, near Mr.. Thomas Hus-
bands and that when last heard from he
was going down Ocoha. The news that
lion is at large spreads like wild FIRE,
and the citizens are greatly excited,