The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1871-08-16
mF1GHr1YG THE Tiger"
"FTGHT1NG THE TIGER"
HOW Forepnugh Tanned a Royal Benz
gal-Red Hot Irons Versus Claws and
Teeth.

The manner In which Forepaugh, the show.
man, conquered the royal Bengal tiger Satan
at Detroit lately Is thus described:
ssSatan' was landed in New York about a
year since. being brought from Bombay with o
humber of other animals intended for exhibit
ton. He was captured when three months
old, dozen or more natives assisting In the
operation, and although b "'youngster," he
showed such pluck that three of the captors
were badly scratched and cawed. The brother
of '.Satan" made his escape into jungle, car
rylng spear in his side, and the mother was
killed the day previous BY hunters mounted
upon the back Of elephants, a dozen elephants
and thirty or forty men turning out TOR her sole
benefit, the beast having haunted the district
for O year or more and eaten up several ma
tives.
Last winter "satan" came to Warmers In
stltution BY purchase, and was turned over to
the care of F0repaugh as subject bound TO
give him much trouble. Every effort to tame
Forepaugh was laughed at when asserting
that he would break In the royal Bengal when
he had spare day. That spare day did not
come until last week, when the beast'tamer
announced his readiness to undertake the
task. No man but MahoneY had ever entered
the animals cage, and there was much excite
ment in the town about 1t, because It was
be conquered Hundreds Of people rushed 10
the tent, but only two or three newspaper
men were admitted, as Forepaugh did not
want to excite the beast more than was neces-
sary. "Satan" was first given good square
meal, in order to put him In good humor, aud
then Forepaugh took of his coat and made
ready for business. Men to the number OF
eight or ten were armed win iron.roos anu
sharp-polnted instruments, and stationed on
either side of the cage, and Forepaugh enter,
ed the den with red-hot iron In one hand and
cloth wrapped about the other. AS ne
stepped In the animal seemed surprised and
dumb.foupded, and for the first moment did
nothing but growl and stare. Then MS long,
white teeth began to CLEAN, his back arched,
and he settled down for q spring. yIne men
outside began TO shout In alarm; entreatlng
the trainer to make his escape; but with eyes
fixed on those OF the animal, and speaking 10
low tones, he warned the men 10 keep still,
and he prepared for action. Suddenly, like
ball thrown through the air, with no warning
save furious scream, isaiah" made hl5 leap.
Forepaugh was expecting 1t and fell upon nls
knees, Que OF the tigers claws remoV-
fnu tufr OF his hair and piece OF scalp
from his head. The beast turned after his
lean and attempted to seize the trainers
shoulder. but the red.hot rod was forced into
his mouth. and he retreated with yels Of pain
and anger. He then allowed the trainer to
advance to the centre OF the cage without re.
senling the act, but In moment more settleo
himself for another spring. as ne shot
through the air the trainer ieapeo ASIDE ana
iron. beating him until he retired In the fur
ther corner. Both parties then took rest for
few minutes, when the trainer advanced
and opened hcstilities. "Satann made rush
for him, and this time seized Forepaugh by
the thigh, and although beaten oyer the head
by the rod, shook the man to the floor as a
terrier shakes rat. Then, letting go with
his teeth, he placed his paw on the trainers
breast utterlng yells OF rage. The attendants,
naralyzed with fear, finally rallied under the
direction of Forepangh, whose flesh was being
pierced by the sharp claws, aud made q
Simultaneous aud vigorous attack upon the
enraaed animal, who was obliged to retreat
to bis corner. The trainer received Q
severe bite, and each OF the claws made pad
mo rest. Procuring another iron, he adopted
the method of attack instead Of defence. Just
as the beast was preparing to spring again, the
trainer rushed upon him, punching and pound
ing him with the hot iron bar, and actually
drove the Bengal several times around lhe
cage before stopping. Alter q moment the
attack was repeated, the TWO roillng over ana
over ON the loor of the cage, In the tigers
effort to seize the man by the neck, but he was
nounded 80 unmercliully with the bar that he
was clad to retreat. For nearly an hour the
trainer persisted in his efforts, until at last he
was not only enabled to pat the back of the
subaued 5 maenate Of the jungle, but to open
his mouth, lfft up his feet, lead him around the
cage. and show In various ways mat ne was
three hours, rest. the cage was again entered
but the tiger cronched down in fear, and re:
sented M familiarlties from his determined
trainer, although when another person ap,
preached the bars of the cage he was greeted
l with hoWls of rage and defiance.