Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1870-06-20
In THE LIONS DEN.
An AppaIIing and Horrible Occur
rence-Three of RObinson's Circus
Men Killed and Four ShOckingiy
Lacerated by Savage Beasts.
Il. WHITBIORE,
Publisher and Proprietor.

| rence-Three of RObinsOn's Circus
Men Killed and Four ShOckingiy
Lacerated by Savage Beasts.
From the Middletown (Mo.) Banner.l
Upon starting out from Cincinnati for
the season, the management of James
Robinson's circus and animal show de-
termined to produce something novel in
the way of band chariot and conceived
the idea of mounting the band upon the
colossal den of performing Numidian
lions, and which would form one of the
principal and most imposing features OF
| the show
Although repeatedly warned by Pro-
fessor Sexton that he deemed the cages
insecure and dangerous in the extreme,
the managers still persisted in compell-
ing the band to ride upon it. Nothing,
however, occurred until the fatal morn
ing of the 18th.
The band took their places and the
procession commenced TO move amid the
shouts of the multitude Of rnstics who
had assembled to witness the grand pa
geant and hear the enlivening strains
of music. Not thought of danger was
entertained by any one, that the awful
catastrophe was about to occur.
As the driver endeavored to make
turn in the streets the leaders became
entangled and threw the entire team into
confusion, and he lost control of them,
and becoming frightened they broke
into violent saa. Upon the opposite
side, of the. street the fore-wheel of the
cage came in contact with large rock
with such force as to cause the braces
and stanchions which supported the roof
to give way, thersby precipitating the en-
tire band into the awful pit below.
For an instant the vast crowd were
paralyzed with fear, but for a moment
only, and then arose such shrek of
agony as was never heard before. The
awful groans of terror and agony which
arose from the poor victims who were
being torn, lacerated by the frightfnl
monsters below was heartreDding and
sickeniug TO a terrible degree.
Every moment some one of the band
would extricate themselves from the de-
bris. and leap over the sides of the cage
to the ground with a wild spring, and
faint away on striking the earth, so great
was their terror. But human nature
could not stand and see men literally de-
youred before their eyes, for there were
willins hearts and strong arms ready to
render every assistance necessary 70 res
cue the unfortunate victims Of this shock
ing calamity.
A hardware store which happened to
stand opposite wss invaded BY the re-
quest OF the nOble-hearted proprietor,
and pitehforks, crOB-baFs and long bars
of iron, and in fact every available |
weapon was brought into Tequisitlon
The side doors Of the cage were quickly /
torn from their fastenings, and then a
horrible sight was presented TO view.
Mingled among the brilliant uniforms Of
the poor unfortunate lay legs, arms, torn .
from their sockets and half-devOured I
while the savage brntes glared ferociOusly /
with their siekly grees-colored eyes upon /
the petriied crowd Professor Charles /
White arrived Of this moment and gave
orders in regard 20 extricating the uead /
and wounded-he well knowing It would /
be a difficult and dangerous undertaking
to remove them from the intariated
monsters.
Stafioning men With forks and bars At
every available point. he sprang fear
lessly into the den amid the monsters,