Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1872-02-10
DEATH IN A MENAGERIE.


A LION TAMER Tom To PIECES BY
FIVE LIoNs.-At performance OF
travelling MenageIie, at Bolton, Eng
land, lately, Maccarte, the lion tanner,
gave his usual performance, IN which
he had to enter the cage Of five lions.
On all general occasions heated bars Of
iron and iron scraperS are III readiness.
but on this fatal eyenn G the matter had
been neglected. The i've lions were all
powerful animals, and the unfortunate
man on entering the cage noticed that
black-maned African lion, which had
only so recently as Monday last bitten
his hand, appeared very restiye. lie
consequently fixed his eyes on ii, and
this in some degree diverted his atten
ton from an Asiatc lion known 10y the
name Of Tyrant, against whom he had
been cautioned only that morning to
keep carefully to his Instructions.
1t is necessary here to note that when
performing lions are tanned there Is
line drawn or what is known as the of
flee, in technical phraseology, by which
the beasts are taught to regard that line
as limit beyond which the performer
not pass, knowing, if he does so, the
consequences to be expected are most
dangerous. The presumption is that
this line was oyersteppcd, and Maccar-
te, VINO was attred Is Roman gladia-
tor, was returning his f,,lchion to is
sheath, slipping, he fell ON the floor Of
the den Iyrant fastened on him, SCI
zing him by the launches, and then the
African lion fastened on his armies,
shoulder. NIaccarte Immediately called
upon the keepers for help, and mean-
while to fire lie then drew the short
Roman blade which formed part Of
his costume and commenced fighting
desperately with the lion Tyrrnt, thrust
inc the sword into its face, mouth and
eyes. The crowd, panic-strickcn, crow
ded around and etltctually prevented
the approach of the men who were used
to the habits of the animals. The shouts
of the audience, the desperate and man
fu struggle OF the tated man, and the
smell of the blood which was streaming
from Maccartc, melted the other AM
mails. and their savage instinct was a
wakened. A third lion-an Abyssinian
one-seized him by the ribs, and then a
fye-year old lion, and an especial favor
ite OF the ion-tamer, caught him by the
head, literally scaIping him, the flesh
hanging down his neck. The treacher-
Gus tavorite had no sooner accomplish
cd this work than he returned quietly
to his corner.
Meanwhile the irons were heated.and
three of the animals driven away, when
a fourth seized Maccarte Just above the
boot and dragged him in again among
them. Then the frightful wolk went
Oh again for few sickening ana horrl-
fying moments. Hot irons were now
available, and the brutes being driven
off. the poor and almost pulseless piece
Of humanity was drawn out from the
place it was fated he never more should
enter. He sustained sufficient senslDll-
ity to speak to his warrn-heartcd col
leagues few faint words, PRAYING them
not to take him away to receive medl-
cal aid, as he knew that he was a dead
man. His anxious friends carried him
tenderly to the infImary, where after
few moments he breathed his last, after
muttering a few incoherent sentences.
The coroners jury returned verdict Of
of death by misadventure and added:
The jury feel it to be their bounded
duty to express their entire GisappToba-
ton of the reckless costume OF .o-calicd
lion-tamers performing in dens where
farnrious animals arc cared