Shenandoah herald. [volume] (Woodstock, Va.) 1865-1974, 1869-04-15
A Menagerie Loose in Nj ississippi.
[Cor. Brandon, Miss. Republican

Cor. Brandon, (Miss.) Republica
FOREST, Mss, March 24.-Several
days previous immense posters were posted
on all the walls in town, announcing that
Reynolds Great Mexican Gymnasium and
Menagerie would exhibit in Forest on that
day. Early in the morning all the roads
leading to town were thronged with peo-
pie of all ages, sexes and colors, and by
ten o'clock the whole town was alive with
visitors awaiting the arrival of the menag-
erie. AT eleven the fine brass band an
nounced the arrival of the show, and by
twelve the canvass was stretched and the
cages of the animals arranged.
The huge elephant Hurcules the
largest ever imported into this country
was chained to stake, and by way of
caution to those entering the canvas, Mr..
John Aston, his keeper, stated that he
had for several days manifested dispos-
ton 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.. Alston's ad-
monition, thoughtlessly handed him a
piece of tobacco, which so cnraged him
that he struck at him with such violence
as to dislocate his shoulder, although it
was glancing blow. He plunged with
such force that he broke bis chain, and
although his keeper used every effort to
subdue him, he was entirely uncontrolla-
BILE. and he would strike and kick at every
object near him. By this time the scene
was beyond description. The vast crowd
fed for life. He few 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 it
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 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. Wharton, the engineer,
having failed to shut off steam, it unfortu-
nately ran into the canvas and smashed
the lions cage, killing the lioness and re-
leasing the lion. The lion, finding him.
self uninjured and at liberty, and being
frightened by the steam and whistle of the
engine, started at full speed down the
Homeward road, roaring terrifcally. He
had gone but short distance when he met
Mr.. Sheppard and gave chase. Mr..
Sheppard finding that he was gaining on
him rapidly, and that he would certainly
be overtaken, attempted to climb a sap
ling. 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 upon the ground
Mr.. Smith, with his little son, escaped to
the woods and made their way to Forest
on foot
While he was devouriDg Mr. Smiths
horse Mr.. James j. Ritch, who was on
his way to Forest with load of chickens,
drove up. AS soon as he saw him he
reared on his hind feet, dashed the ground
with his tail and sprang at him. Mr..
Ritch evaded him by jumping from his
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tear open tie boxes containing the chick
ems and turned them out He then seem
ed to lose 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 Mr.. 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 citizens will
kill him as soon as they evertake him.
It is reported that he killed freedman
in Smith county near Mr.. Thomas Hus-
bands, and that when last heard from he
was going down Oeoha. The news that
a lion is at large spreads like wild-fre,
and the citizens are greatly excited.
CuRE FOR THE TooTHAcHE. At a