Smyrna times., 1869-04-28
DLiSccIIU21 e o us.
A Menagerie at Large.
Forest Correspondence of the Brandon Iss) Republics

Forest Correspondence NIiss) Republican
Several days previous immense posters were
pasted on all the walls in town. announcing that
Reynolds Great Mexican Gymnasium and
Menagcrie would exhibit 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 arri-
val of the menagcrie. At ii the fine brass
band announced the arrival of the show, and
by II 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
a stake, and by way of caution to those entering
the canvas, Mr. John Aston, his keeper, sta
ted that he had for several days manifested a
disposition of INSTRUMENTATION and begged that
no one would approach sufficiently near to re-
celve blow from his trunk. Mr. Mark Kite,
from the northern part of this county, coming
in after Mr.. Alston's admOnition, thougl tie s.
ly handed hlm piece of tobacco, which so en-
ragged him that he struck at him with such yi1-
lence as to disOcate his shoulder, although it
was a glancing blow. He plunged with such
force that he broke his chain, and although his
keeper used every effort to subdue him, he
was entirely uncomfortable, and he would
strike and kick at every object near him. BY
this time the scene was beyond description
The vast crowd flew for life. He flew at hi>
keeper, and pursued him from under the can
vas.
The eleven o'clock freight train, being be
hind time, and not having any freight for For
est, and the engineer not intending to stop
came rushing along at the rate of twenty mile
an hour. hen it had approached within TIVE
hundred yards he looked up the road and seem
ed dOubly enraged. He Immediately ran to
| - 4
a shock that he broke one Of his tusks, an,
: was Immediately killed The engine was de
tached from the train and thrown from tn
track, and Mr.. Wharton, the engineer, havin
failed to shut off steam it unfortunately ran in
: to the canvas and smashed the lion S cage, xii
:, ling the ioneSss and releasing the lion. TIL
lion, finding himself uniniured and at liberty
n and being frightened by the steam and whist
!. of the engine, started at full speed down tn
;, HOmewood road, roaring terrifcally. He ha
:, gone but short distance when he met Nj
D. George w. Sheppard and gave chase. NJ
4 Sheppard, finding that he was gaining on hr
n rapidly, and that he would certainly be ove
N taken, attempted to climb a sapling. II
20 struck at him with his paw as he assembled, bl
!. fortunately did no other damage than to te;
'e off his coat tail and carry away part of h
pants.
Mr.. John Smith of Raleigh, who was on h
way to Forest, riding his fine pacing horse Wit
n, his little son behind him, met him four mill
& from here. As soon as his horse saw him |
e, ncghed, when the lion rushed at him. seize
u, him by the throat and threw him upon Il
ground. Mr.. Smith, with his little son, esca
ed to the woods and made their way to Fore
Ia on foot
m. While he was devouring Mr.. Smiths hors
j" Mr.. James j. Rich, who was on his way
ry Ty Forest with load of chickens, drove up. !
IS soon as he saw him he reared on his hind fec
IN, lashed the ground with his tail and sprang
him. Mr.. Rich eluded him by jumping fro
ic' his wagon, when he mounted and began
at tear open the boxes containing the chicke
and turned them out. lie then seemed to lC
' sight of everything in his efforts to catch the
ect When the excitement in town abated abo
us twenty mounted men, well armed, started
the the pursuit with all the dogs belonging in town.
to well as many that had followed their owne
thc Mr.. Reynolds, the owner Of the lion, begg
,eS- @S- them not to kill him, and sent several m
re- with the crowd with instructions to captl
i liml him if possible, but no doubt the citizens
ties Kill him as soon as they overtake him.
RS 1t is reported that he killed freedman
n. 1TG Smith county, near Mr.. Thomas Husband
ned and that when last heard from he was go
ired down the Ocoha. The news that lion is
"4a be- large spreads like wild fire, and the citizens
vid- greatly excited