Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1872-02-08

| At performance of travelling menag-
erie, at Bolton, England, lately, Mac
carte, the lion tamer, gave his usual per-
formance, in whicL he had to enter the
cage of Eve hons Sal- go IS
On all general occasions heated bars of
iron and iron scrapers are in readiness,
but on this fatal evening the matter had
been neglected.
The FIVE lions were all powerful ami
mails, and the unfortunate man on enter
ing the cage noticed that black-maned
African lion, which ha6 only SO recently
as Monday last bitten his hand. appeared
very restive. He consequently fixed his
eyes on it, and this in some degree divert
known by the name of Tyrant, against
whom he had been cautioned only that
morning to keep carefully to his instruc
tions.
1t is necessary here to note that when
performing lions are tanned there is line
drawn, or what is known as ''the Office"
in technical phraseology. by which the
beasts are taught to regard that line as
limit beyond which the performer must
sequences to be expected arc most danger
Gus.
The presumption is that this line was
oyerstcpped, and Maccarte. who was at
tired as Roman gladiator, was returning
his falchion to its sheath, slipping, he fell
on the floor of the den. --...
Tyrant fastened On him, seizing him by
the launches, and then the African lion
fastened on his armless shoulder. Mac
carte Immediately called upon the keep
ers for help, and meanwhile to fire. He
then drew the short Roman blade which
formed q part of his costume and COM
menced fighting desperately with the Hon
Tyrant, thrusting the sword into its face,
mouth and eyes.
The crowd, panic-stricken. crowded a.
round and e@ectually prevented the ap-
proach of the men who were used to the
habits of the animals.
The shouts of the audience, the desper-
ate and manful struggle of the fated man.
and the smell of the food which was
streaming from Maccarte, melted the
other animals, and their savage instinct
was awakened.
A third lion-an Abys>inion one
seized him by the ribs, and then a FIVE
year old lion, and an especial favorite 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 this work than he returned
quietly to his corner.
Meanwhile the irons were heated. and
three of the animals driven away, when
fourth seized Maccarte just above the boot
and dragged him in again among them.-
Then the frightful work went ON again
for few sickening and horrifying mo-
ments.
Hot irons were now available, and the
brutes being driven off, the poor and al
most pulseless piece of humanity was
drawn out from the place it was fated he
never more should enter. He sustained
sensibility to speak to bis warm
hearted colleagues a 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 tcnderly to the infirmary. where after
4 few moments he breathed his last, after
few incoherent sentences
The coroner's jury returned verdict of
death by misadventure, and added:
THE jury feel it to be their boundcn |
iu.y to express their entire disapprobation
,f the reckless custom Of so-cailed lion
tamers performing in dens where ferocious
animals are Gagged. .--... -..... ..-5l