The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-09-03

LIGHTNING AMONG THE L1oNs-A SCENE
IN A MENAaRRIE.-Ac correspondent of
the Chicago Inter- Ocean writes from Da-
venport, Iowa:
Adam Forepaugh is famous show
man, but he has never offered to the pub
lie 30 thrilling and extraordinary an
exhibition as that which ''might have
been seen" at O point near Pleasant Hill,
about seven miles from Davenport, on
Monday morning, before daylight. The
scene was that of menagerie attacked
by thunderstorm of unusual ferocity,
in the dead of night.
Mr.. Forepaugh's establishment, con-
sisting of menagerie, museum and
circus. exhibited st Dewitt, Iowa on
Saturday, August II, and at midnight
started for Davenport, where it was to
exhibit on the 10TH at Pleasant Hill, q
small village, it encountered one of the
most terrific storms of thunder, light
ming and rain ever experienced in this
part OF the country. It was about 2
o'clock, on Monday morning, when the
storm broke upon the caravan. There
were It's dens or cages OF wild beasts and
BIRDS, museum equipage, baggage
wagons, &C., drawn by 500 horses, aud
following the great chariot. This, in
turn, was preceded by dozen camels
and the elephant Romeo. Jr.
| AS tho storm increased in fury, the
chariot horses became unmauagpable.
and started off at fearful speed The
cnmels, unable to stand, crouched down
by the roadside, trembling with fear,
aud the elephant lay down in the middle
Of the road aud stubbornly refused to
rise, completely preventing the further
progress of the long train of cages,
which were scattered along the roud for
nearly two miles
The animals, thoroughly frightened,
mingled their yells aud roars with the
deafening thunder, and bounded from
side to side Of their narrow cages with
tremendous force. This caused many Of
the horses to follow the example of those
before the chariot, and us no further
progress could be made, the whole train
soon became inextricably confused. 10
make confusion worse confounded," tho
driver Of the lion-cage was hurled from
his seat by the falling of his wheel.
horses, and over went the cage contain
ing four large lions.
The museum wagon, containing the
''Lord's Supper" was struck by light
ming, and four of the twelve apostles
laid low. And yet the worst had not
come. The awful fury of the storm and
tho terror OF the scene demoralized
about twenty drivers, who had been hired
few days previous, and in O most cow
nrdiy manner they deserted their horses
and fled to the woods. One of these
cages left driverless contained a gnu, or
horned horse, most vicious and untam-
able brute. and the horses, plunging g
from one side Of the road to the other,
overturned the cage, causing the top to
break open. Instantly the brute leapod
into the road, and, overturning q cage
filled with monkeys, darted off into the
woods
The situation of the caravan at this
jnncture was very critical, as may be
readily imagined. There was the pitch
black darkness of tue night contending
with the lurid glare of the lightning.
There WAS the drenching rain pouring
down in sheets. There was the almost
constant roar Of thunder. The roar of
enraged tigers, the neigh of frightened
horses, the vail of q hundred animals
some to be feared and others to be pited
all we're concentrated Trees fell
around. Horses dashed bther and thi-
ther, crashing the vans which they drew,
and scattering their contents. One of
the drivers, who still remained faithful
and courageous, was killed in his seat by
q shock Of lightning. No wonder that
mems hearts quailed, and that among
the less bold Of them panic and STAN
pede set in, which promised to end with
the total ruin of the caravan. This was,
doubtless, averted only by the appear
ance at the front of Colonel Forepaugh,
who had been following the train. and
who had come up as rapidly as possible
on realizing the danger Of the situation.
He ordered the horses to be detached
from the animal cages and the wagons
corrol'ed. The lion cage was rightcl,
and detail sent to recapturc tho es-
capped gnu.
Daylight dawned and the storm abated
Ten horses had been killed by lightning;
four drivers were injured seriously and
one killed. With the assistance OF the
farmers in the vicinity. the mcnngelie
people soon put matters in presentablc
shape, including even tho surviving
Apostles, eight in number.
AN ExrRAoRDISARY MARRIAGE.
Georgetown Times is responsible for the
following:
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