Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1869-04-24
wild Beast. oct for a Holiday.

FOREST, MNs.t MdiVu -
days previous immense posters we're past
ed on sll the walls in town. announcing
that Reynolds Gtes, Mexican Gymnss'
ium aud Menagerie would exhibit in For
eel on that Cay. Early in the morning
all the roads leading to town were .hrone-
ed with people, Of all sges, sexes and col
ors. and by 10 O'Clock the Whole town
was alive with visitors, awaiting the arIi-
val OF the mensgerie. AT IL the 6ne brass
band sanounced The arrival OF the show.
ard by IL the canvas was stretched, and
the cages OF The animals arranged.
The huge elephsn, Hercules-,he
largest ever imported INTO .hlS county
was ehsined 10 stake: and. by way OF
caution to those entering The canvas. John
Aston. his keeper, stated that he had Tor
several days manifested 3 disposition OF
insubordiu alton. snd begged tina, no one
would spprosch sufficiently near TO re-
ceive Q blow from his trunk Mr. Marx
Kile. from The northern part OF tins eoun-
ty, coming 10 after Mr.. Al,ton's sjmoni.
ZION. ughIlsssly handed him piece OF
tobacco, which so enisged HIM that he
struck al him with such violence ss 10
dislocaie ME shoulder. although II was a
glsncing blow. lie plunged with such
force that he broke his chain, and. although
his keeper used every effort to subdos
him, he WAS entirely uncomfortable, and
he would strike aud kick al every object
near. By thi. time the scene was beyond
description. The vast crowd few for
life. He few q, his keeper and pursued
him under the canvass .....r
The / o'clock freight train being be.
hind time, and not having any freight Tor
Forest, and The engineer not intending 10
stop. came rushing along at The rate OF
twenty miles an hour. When it had sp-
preached within 200 yards he looked up
the road and seemed doub'y enrsged. lie
Immediately ran toward II with gTes,
speed and met it with iuch shock that
he broke one Of his tusss and was imme.
dis,ely killed. The engine was detached
from the train and thrown from the track.
and Mr.. Wharton, the engineer. bsvinR
failed to shut of steam, II unfortunately
ran into the canvas and smashed the lone
cage, killing The lioness and releasing The
lion. The lion f1ding himself uninjuTed
and at liberty, and being frightened by tho
steam and whistle of the engine, started st
full speed down The Homewood road roH.
ing ierrihcly. He had gone buia short
distance when he me, Mr.. G. w. Shep.
pard aud gave chase. Mr.. Sheppard fud'
ing ,hs, he was gaining on him rapidly.
and that he would certainly be overisken.
attempted 10 climb saplng. He struck
at him with hi. paw a, he assembled. but
fortunately did no other damage than to
tear off his coat tail and carry away spar'
OF his pants.
Mr.. John Smith. Of Raleigh. who Was
on his way to Forest. riding his fnc Psc'
ing horse, with his little son behind him,
met him four miles from here. As soon
as his horse saw him he neiRhed. when
the lion rushed q, him. seized him by the
thrca, and threw him TO the ground. Mr..
Smith with bis lilhe son escaped 10 The
woods and made their way 10 Fotes, on
foot.
While no was devouring Mr.. Smiths $
horse, Mr.. James J. Ritch. who ass on
his way to Forest with load OF chick =
ems, drove up. As soon as he cav him
he reared on bis hind feet lsshed the
ground with his tail. and sprsng al him.
Mr.. Ritch eluded hIm by Jumping from
his wagon. when he mounted aud began
10 tear open the boxes combining The
chickens and turned them out. lie then
seemed 10 loose sigh, OF everything 10 his
efforts TO catch them.
When the excitement 10 town sbsicd.
about twenty mounted men. we'll srmei.
started in pursuii with al The dogs be
longing in town ss well rs msnv that hSd
followed their owners. Mr.. Reynolds.
the owner OF the lion. begged them not
10 kill him, and sent several men with
the crowd with insuctions 10 capture him
il possible. but no doobi the ciiizens will
kill him as soon as they ovfrtske hin.
II reported that he killed q freedman
in Smith county, near Mr.. Thomas Hus
bands, and ihs, when la't heard fom he
wac going down Ocohs. The news that
the lion i. at large spreads like wild Ere.
and the ciiizens are eIeady excited.