The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1870-06-18
IN THE LIONS DEN.

An Appalling and Horrible Occur
rence.-Threc of RObinson'S Circus
Men Killed and -Four ShockinglY
LaCerated by Savage Beasts.
From he JEiddIttotrn, [NisSOuri, Banner.
Upon starting out from Cincinnati for
tho season, the management Of James
RObinsons circus and animal show deter
mined to produce something novel IN the
way Of band chariot, and conceived the
idea OF mounting tho band uponthc cOlos.
sui den Of performing Numidian lions, and
which would form one of thej principal
and most imposing features Of the show.
Although repeatedly warned by Protcs'
sOr Sexton that he deemed the cage 'inse-
cure and dangerous in the extreme, the
managers still persisted in compelling the
band TO ride upon it. Nothing, however,
occurred until the fatal morning OF the
l2th.
The band took their places and the
procession commenced TO move amid the
shouts Of the multitude of rrlstiCs who
had assembled to witness the grand
pageant, and hear the cnlivening strains
Of music. Not thought OF danger was
entertained by any one, but tho awful
catastrophe was about TO occur.
AS the driver endcavorcd to make n
turn in the streets the leaders became
cntanglCd and threw tho entire team into
confusion, and ho lost control Of them,
and becoming frightened they broke into
IL violent run. Upon the opposite side oil
the street the fore-wheelof the cage came
in contact with rock with such force
us to cause tho braces aud stanChions
which supported the roof to give way,
thereby preCipitating tho entire band into
thGRwfIl pit below. r.st-L...--.
For on instant the vast crowd were
paralyzed with fear, but for moment
only, and then arose such shrek of agony
rs was never heard before. The awful
groans of terror and agony which arose
from the poor victims who were being
torn, laceratcd by the frightful monsters
below was heart.rCnding and sickening tc
II terrible degree,
Every moment some one OF the band
would eXtricate themselves from tho de6I7'
and leap over the side OF the cage to the
ground with wild spring and faint
away upon striking the earth, so great was
their terror. But human nature could
not stand and SEQ men literally dcvourcd
before their very eyes, for there were
willing hearts and strong arms ready &c
render every assistance necessary to res
cue the unfortunate victims Of this shock
ing calamity.
A hardware store which happened tc
stand opposite was invaded by the request
Of the noble hearted proprietor, and pitch
forks, crow.bars and long bars OF iron
and in fact every available weapon was
brought into rcquisition. Tho side door
Of the cage were quickly torn from thcil
fastenings, and then a horrible sight wNs
presented 10 view. Mingled among the
brilliant uniform Of the poor unfortunate:
lay legs, arms, torn from their sockets ant
halEdevourcd, while the brutes glaret
ferociously with their siCkly grcen.c0loret
eyes upon the petrihed crowd. Professor
Charles White arrived at this moment
and gave orders in regard TO cxtricatinI
the dead and wounded-he well KNOWING
il would be difficult and dangerous un
tertaking 10 remove them from the infu
rated monsters.
Stationing men with forks and bars a
every available point, he sprang fearless