Knoxville weekly chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1870-1875, 1872-01-31
A FRIGHTTUL DEATH.
a I.ion-tamer Torn 20 Pieces by Five ions
Horrible and siclxeniug Detatls-A Pan
Ic-StricIseu Crowd Looking ON.
lrrom the Bolton fEnrland Ereninr News.I

Iron the Bolton England Evening Eewsr
4 terrible affair occurred not long since
at the exhibition of a menagerie, in which
q lion-tamer named Maccarte was killed
by the animals. lie had lost an arm some
years before, though that did not incapa-
ciate him from his duties. On all general
occasions heated bars of iron and iron
scrapers are in readiness, but on this fatal
evening the matter had been neglected.
After performing with the usual APP
plause Maccarte who was attiTed as Ro-
man gladiator was returning his falchion
to its sheath, slipping, he fell on the floor
of the den. 4 lion fastened on him, seiz-
ing him by the launches, and then the
| African lion fastened on his armless Shout
der. Maccarte Immediately called upon
the keepers for help, and meanwhile to
fire. lie then drew the short Roman
blade which formed part of his costume
and commenced fighting desperately with
the lion Tyrant, thrusting the sword into
his face, mouth and eyes. The crowd,
panic-stricllen, crowded around and effect
ually prevented the approach of the men
who were used TO the habits of the ami
mails. The shouts of the audience, the
desperate and manful struggle of the fated
man, and the smell of the blood which
was streaming from Maccarte, melted the
other animals and their savage instincts
were awakened. A third lion-an Abys-
sinian one-seized him by the ribs, and
then q five-year-old lion, and an especial
favorte of the lion-tamer, caught him by
the head, literally scalping him, the flesh
hanging down his neck. The treacherous
favorite had no sooner accomplished his
work than he returned quietly to his cor
ner.
The deadly struggle progressed, and Mr..
Bricall, who had from the first been most
active. placed iron scrapers in the fire to
heat them. Pistols and guns were dis
charged, but they, unfortunately, were on
ly loaded with blank cartridges, and the
blazing of gunpowder failed to drive the
animals from their quarry. Meanwhile
the irons were heated, an iron shutter to
separte the animals in the cage when an
opportunity offered was in readiness, and
Mr.. Bricall and an assistant succeeded in
beating off the animals, 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 pushed i'll three OF
the animals being driven away with hot
irons, were separated, and then the lion
that had seized Macearte by the shoulder
was driven in the corner. The shutter
was partially opened to drive him among
the others, when fourth Infatuated beast
seized him Just above the boot and drag
ged him again among them. Ihen the
frightful work went on again for few
sickening and horrifying moments. Hot
irons were now available, and the brutes
being driven or the poor and almost
pulseless piece of humanity was drawn
out from the place it was fated he never
| more should enter. He sustained suf1i-
Gent sensibility to speak to his warm
hearted colleagues few faint words, pray
| ing them not to take him away to receive
medical aid, as he knew that he was dead
man. His anxious friends carried him
tenderly to the infirmary, where after few
moments he breathed his last, after utter
| ing few incoherent sentences.
As the shattered form was borne past
Mrs Manders', he family waved his hand
and gave her an expressive look that con-
veyed the words that he was past all hope
of aid. Many of the shots fired entered
the bodies of the animals, and they re-
ceived great injuries before they We're driv-
en- off their prey. The lion Tyrant is
three and a half years old, and had been
brought up from whelp by MIS-. Man
ders. The animal having been a favoritee,
it was during a part of its training al
lowed TO run about that portion Of the
caravan used as a habtation, and il freely
gambolled with its mistress.
|