Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-13

A LION TAMER ATTACKED BY 4 TIGER.

The Philadelphia Age of the 22d de-
scribes thrilling incident which occurred
in menagerie in the Quaker city, a. fol-
lows:
terrible affair occurred in this city
yesterday morning, which for its exciting
surroundings, rarely ever finds a parallel
in this country. Many of our citizens are
aware that the square, bounded by Twen-
ty-seoond. Nassau and Bolton streets, Is
occupied by the buildings of our towns
man, Adam Forepaugh, as the winter
quarters OF his great travelling menagerie.
During the present winter Mr. Forepau9h
has secured the services Of Herr Darions,
the celebrated animal trainer, from the
Geological Society's Gardens at Hamburg,
Germany, and placed in his charge two
magnificent royal Bengal tigers and two
fine lions. They were to be taught sever
al feats of an interesting character more
tor the purpose of showing mans power
over the brute creation than for mere
qualification of a morbid appetite Herr
Darlous, in whose charge the animals
were placed, is famous throughout Europe
Tor his great success in training wild ami
mails. and his ability in this line Is well
known among naturalists.
For this reason Mr.. Forepaugh secured
his services. Arriving here from Europe
on Christmas Day, he Immediately had
large den erected in the south building, of
sohd white oak, three inches thick, with
an open front, interlaced with iron bars
crossing each other at regular intervals
AT one end there is door through which
the den is entered, and in the centre is q
swinging partition, which divides the den
into two apartments, and which may be
opened or closed at the trainers will In
this strong den the lions and tigers were
placed, separated by the partition, except
when being trained, when they were per-
mitted to be together. Every day during
the winter Herr Darious has entered this
den, opened the partition, and "inter-
viewed the monarchs of the glade and
forest. Yesterday morning. while the
trainer was among "his pets" the tigers,
tor some unknown reason, began to ex-
hibt signs of sudden displeasure, such
as scraping the floor with their claws and
brushing their sides with their tails.
Darious Immediately noticed this, and
grasping the partition door, suddenly
closed 1t with crash, leaving him alone
with single tiger. The closing of the
partitions, or the separation from his mate,
enraged this beast, and seeing the trainers
face turned away, he made one spring,
uttering single growl, and in a second
was on Herr Dariouss back, with his
claws in his hair. AS the latter fell to the
floor, he uttered a shout, which broughta q
number of the employees of the establish
ment to the scene, but their fear unnian-
ned them. and prevented them from rem
dering the trainer any assistance. During
this time Darious, with rare presence Of
mind, lay perfectly still, knowing full
well that single movement might result
in his instant death. The other animals
seeing the attack, and hearing the noise,
set up simultaneously terrible howling.
roaring and groaning, and the scene be.
came perfect pandemonium.
The valuable performing horses in the
adjourning stable were removed lest their
terror should overcome them. The tumult
reached the elephants quarters, and it
was matter of great difficulty to keep
them quiet, especially old Romeo, the
monster who kills a keeper every one or
two years. the smaller elephants were
less disturbed. In the upper story q
cocoon gnu, or horned horse, one of MIR.
Forepaughs recent importations, and one
OF the most vicious of all animals, broke
through his cage and made an immediate
and terrible attack on one of the zebra
cages, containing beautiful and valuable
animal. In less than a moment the front
was battered down, and the poor zebra
lay dying, gored to death. Proceedingt to
the den containing the great eland. the
gnu began to battle at the wirework here,
but his horns becoming entangled he was
captured and placed in safe quarters, with
out doing further damage.
All this occurred in a very short space
of time, and Herr Darous still lay in the
tigers den quiet as death, when the pro-
prietor of the establishment, Adam Fore
paugh, suddenly drove up in his carriage.
and entering the building, took in the sit
uation at a glance. With the rapidity Of
thought, and with daring rarely equalled
he rushed directly to the front of the den
where Darious lay, put his hand in. grasp
ed one of the tigers hind legs, drew it
through the bars. and, bracing his feet.
pulled for human life. The tiger turned
to see whence came this attack in the rear,
Just as Mr.. Forepaugh had foreseen he
would; then he shouted to Darious, and as
the tiger loosened his hold he sprang up,
opened the door, and escaped luckily with
but few scratches. The scene was one
never to be frogotten by those who wit
messed it, and but for the coolness and he
roic bravery of Mr. Forepaush would
have resulted in Herr Darious' certain
death. With the exception of the dead
zebra. valued at $4,000, the damage done
WAS SLIGHT