Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1872-07-03

4 MENAGERIE LooSE-As Barnum show
was leaving Erie, Pa, en- route TO Cory,
one OF the trains drawn by TWO engines was
thrown from the track. and both locomotives
and several cars were precipItatcd down the
bank, the two former imbedcd in the earth,
while the latter were completely wrecked,
and the entire train and its contents received
a lively shaking up. The lions roured, the
monkeys chartered, parrots bawlci, while the
less ferociyus animals, like the giraffe and
Gland, sbrank trembling into corners, re
luslng To recognize the cIreeSes OF their
keepers As the accident happened about
two o'clock in the morning, and the night
was cloudy and dark, the confusion that
reigued must be imagined, for it cannot be
described Ii was speedily discovered that
cage containing TWO Asiatic lions was
among the wreck. and thu terrified per
formers were not long ia learning that these
two mouaUchs of the jungle were loose and
unharmed. This fact added 10 the terror
of the scene and stampede tor 81 ETY. i'm
mediately ensued. Prot. Charles White,
the celebrated lion-tamer, alone remained
undismHyed, and Immediately be, m per
iecting arrangements To secure his pets,
feat, as may be supposed. not easily accom-
plshed. Providing himself with an ordinary
raw hide. Prot. White advanced toward the
elaring ferocously about them, but he had
not approached very near to them when he
was greeted with a terrific roar from the
male which broke the stiffness OF the night
in an awful and startling manner. Ii - meant
business, and as the great beast stood erect,
lashing his tawny sides with his tail, it was
evident that for a time at least he was
monarch of all he surveyed. The little
= kitten or baby lion partOOk of the gen
eral excitement and mewed piteously. At
times the lioness would seize il in her mouth
and look furriously about, as it upon the
point of leaping into the darkness in search
of safe retreat, and for a time things looked
squally The lion tanner, however, was a
work, and procuring a stout rope he sue
ceeded in throwing it over the head Of the
male lion, and in few moments he was Sc
curely fastened to a tree. The female however,
with a perverseness peculiar to her sex, and
perhaps Infatuated by the recent loss of two
Of her " kittens, - was not so tractable and
showed fight, but Prof. Whites determined
manner soon brought her to terms, and slip
noosing the younger one and slowing draw
ing it into an empty cage, the mother was
induced to follow, and thus were both the
ferOciOus beast secured and all immediate
danger from them was over. The other ami
mails were captured without much trouble,
and at about 10 o'clock the show arrived at
CORY, where an immense crowd of people
were patiently awaiting their coming. 1t
is at once singular and fortunate that no one
was seriously injured, nor were any very
valuable animals hurt. Four cars, with their
contents, were wrecked, and many animals
let loose, but it is believed that most Of
them have been recaptured, the lions being
the only dangerous ones that were let loose.
The accident was caused by switch being
out of place, and both the switchman and
engineer are blamed. 1t is probable that
whoever is to blame, the railway company
will have a round bill of damages to pay.