Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-02-06
Misfellaneons.
FEARFUL TRAGEDY LTA MENAGERIH.

| A lion-tamer attached to Manders' men,
agerie met a fearful death at Bolton, Eng
land, on Wednesday night, JAN Sd. The
| Bolton Evening News gives the following
| account of the occurrence:
Series of farewell performances were
| being given prior to the menagerie pro-
cceding to Bury, and an extra perform
ance was announced, and took place at 10
II O'Clock. Attached to the show was
man named Thomas Maccarte, whose pro-
tessional appellation was .Massarti, the
| Lion-Tamer," and he at this extra per-
formance entered the lions den for the
last time. Maccarte was a young man,
! not more than thirty-four years old, but he
had been associated with travelling exhi-
billions of this kind from an early period.
He had stern experience that ought to
have taught him caution he had previous
" lost an arm when performing with
Messrs. Bell & Meyers circus at Liver
pool. lie had previously been trained by
Messrs. Batty as q lion-tamer, and having
joined them for q short time, he was en-
gagged by the late Mr.. Manders to succeed
| Maccomo. He was a very bold and ad-
venturous man, and had been frequently
cautioned respecting his rashness.
The unfortunate man commenced his
performances on Wednesday evening,
when he was hardly in proper condition
to do so; and having exhibited the goril-
la and the serpents, he entered the lions
den. At this time it is calculated five or
| SIX hundred persons were present, and the
| five lions in the den were put through their
performance with the usual success and
| applause On all general occasions heated
bars OF iron and iron scrapers are in readi-
ness. but on this fatal evening tho matter
had been neglected. The five lions were
all powerful animals, and the unfortunate
man. on entering the cage, noticed that
black named African lion-which had only
SO recently as Monday last bitten his hand
appeared very restive. He consequent
y hxed his eyes upon it, and this in some
degree diverted his attention from an ASH
ATTIC hon by the name of ''Tyrant,n against
whom he had been cautioned only that
morning to keep carefully to his instruc-
tions.
1t is necessary here to note that when
performing lions are tanned there is line.
drawn, or what is known as ''the Office"
in technical phraseology. by which the
beasts are taught to regard that line as q
limit beyond which the performer must
not pass, knowing, if he does so, the con-
sequences to be expected are most danger
Gus. The presumption is that this line
was overstepped, and Mrs Manders' opin-
ion, whose experience in these matters and
who suggests this as a primary cause, is
entitled to consideration. The "ofiice'
having been passed, Maccarte. who was
attired as Il Roman gladiator, was return
ing his falchion to his sheath, and slipping
fell on the floor of the den. Tyrant fas-
tened on him, sezing him by the launches,
and the African lion fastened on to his
armless shoulder. Maccarte Immediately
called upon the keepers for help, and
meanwhile to fire. He then drew the
small Roman blade which formed part OF
his costume. and commenced fighting des-
perately with the lion Tyrant, thrusting his
sword into its face, mouth and eyes.
The crowd, as is usual in such cases,
crowded panic stricken around, and etfec-
tually prevented the approach Of the men
who were usedto the habits of the animals.
The shouts Of the audience, the desperate,
manful struggle of the fated man, and the
smell of blood which was streaming from
the buttocks of Maccarte melted the other
animals, and their savage instinct was
awakened. A thirt lion-an Abyssinian
one-seized him by the ribs, and then
five-years old lion, and an especial favor
te OF the lion-tamer, caught him by the
hanging down his neck The treacherous
favorite had no sooner accomplished this
work than he returned quietly to his corn
er, The deadly struggle progressed, and
Mr. Birchall, who had from the first been
most active, placed iron scrapers in the
fires to heat them. Pistols and guns were
discharged. but they. unfortunately were
only loaded with blank cartridges, and the
blaze of gun powder failed to drive the
animals from their quarry. The Police
went in generous haste, and with full
appreciation of the danger of the man, to
the neighboring shows where firearms
could be obtained, and returned after q
minutes delay; but that delay seemed an
age, and the toy weapons that are used at
rifle galleries were discharged in rapid
succession.
Meanwhile the irons were heated, an iron
shutter TO separate the animals in the cage
when an opportunity offered, got in read
mess, and Mr.. Birchall and an assistant
succeeded in beating off three Of the ami
mails, the fifth having in the time scented
and tasted the blood which streamed out
of the carriage, added his fangs to those
which had already played such havoc with
the human form PROSTATE before them
The sliding door was pushed in, three OF
the animals, being driven away with hot
irons, We're separated, and then the one
that had seized Mccarte by the the shoul-
dor was driven ilto corner.
The shutter was partially opened to
drive him among the others, when
fourth infuriatcd beast seized him Just
above the boot, and dragged him again
among them. Then the irightful work
went on for a few sickening and horrify-
ing moments. every person present fear
ing to see him torn to pieces, and Mrs.
Manders. who is slowly recovering from
paralytic affection, by a great effort
crawled out as it were, but by her clear
head and experience gave prompt direc.
tions. Hot irons were now available, and
the brutes being driven of by these most
terrifying weapons. the poor and almost
pulseless piece of humanity was drawn
ont from the place it was fated he should
never more enter. He sustained sufficient
.t...x ~ cnaaE 10 his a~,~, o-~xol