The Van Buren press., 1872-04-02
A Lion Tanners Peril

a thrilling scene feoeis occurre" :"
Philadsphia A lion tanner cane WITH
in an ace of being torn to pieces ny
royal Bengal tiger, with which ne was
imprisoned in a cage Only presence OF
mind on his part and bravery on the part
of another saved him. At Twenty-sec
ond aud Nassau streets is the menagerie
Of Adam Forepaugh, housed in winter
quarters. Among others, ho mas TWO
splendid specimens of lions ana two
magnificent royal Bengal tigers. On
Christmas day there landed in this city
/ Herr Darious, the European wild beast
tanner, who came direct from the Zooiog
ical Garden of Hamburg. The trainer
ct once set about his task. IN order 10
have the animals in perfect submission
hy the time the spring opened. lie had
large den erected in the south building,
Of solid white oak three inches thick.
with an open front, interlaccd with iron
bars crossing each other at regular inter
walls AT one end there is door, and IN
the centre there is swinging partition,
which divides the den into two apart
ments. and which may be opened or
closed at the trainers will. In th's
strong den the lions and tigers were
placed separated by the partition, excep-
when being trained, when they are pert
mitted to be together,
Every day since his arrival he has en-
tered this cage, and, armed only with a
whip. has gradually broken down the ie
rocity Of the beasts. Yesterday morn
ing he prepared as usual TO enter the
Gaze. Once in he noticed that the tigers
seemed uneasy and restless. They kept
ont of His way. stulked In corners
jumped over each other. showed their
teeth, and when struck gave forth \
growl that boded no good. The trainer
faced it manfully for while, but seeing
that the beasts for some cause or other
were really enraged, determined to re-
treat. BY q quick movement he sprang
backward and shut the partition door
with crash, but not in time TO keep oul
one of the tigers. with which he found
himself alone Now came the terrible
moment of suspense The trainer for an
instance pit tie beast. still in the cor
ner by the power of his eye. but happen
inc to tuin his head for moment, the
tiger, with terrific yell, launched its
body into the air and came down upon
Herr Darious. bearing him TO the iioor
of the cage Those who had been at
tracted to the spot stood palsled with
terror, as they gazed upon the spectacle
of the trainer lying meath the tigers
claws.
Motionlcss. still as the dead, lay the
trainer, knowing this course to DO his on.
lv hope. The tiger. with one paw upon
the breast of the man, pnrred omlnously
and struck the floor with his tail. AS q
cat holds mouse, SO was the picture
But this time it was II human life almost
within the jaws Of Wild beast
Mr.. Forepaugh saw in an instant what
must be done The head OF the beast
was from him, the long tail swishing to
and fro with a cat like movement. Mr..
Forepaugh thrust his arm through the
bars seized one Of tho tigers hind legs,
and bracing himself with bis foot. jrrk'
ed it through the grating "Qnick for
Gods sake, save yourself" " he shouted,
and as the tiger turned with yell at the
sudden pain, the trainer leaped to his
feet and escaped from the den OF death,
During the affair the roars OF the
beasts threw the other animals into the
widest excitement in the upper story
cocoon gnu, or horned horse, one OF
Mr. Forepaugh's recent importatons,
and one Of the most vicious OF all ami
mails, broke through his cage, and made
az immediate aud terrible attack on one
OF the zebra cages containing a teautifsl
and valuable animal In less than mo
ment the front was battered down and
the poor zebra lay dying, gored to death.
Proceeding to the den containing the
great eaud. the gnu began to battle a,
the wire work here, but his horns be.
coming entangled, he was captured and
placed in safe quarters, without doing
further damage.