The avant courier. (Bozeman, Mont.) 1871-1872, 1872-04-04
FIGHTING A TI6ER.
Terrible Scene i'm Forepaugh's MenR9erfe
i'm Philadelphia-TheT Trainer a ttmcked
by Bengal Tiger-Narrow Escape

The menagerie Of Adam Forepaugh, Esq,
Is housed in winter Quarters ut Tweni y-sec-
ond and Nassau streets. Here it is that he
has his magnificent collection of animals.
Among Others he possesses u magnificent
Royal Bengal ssg g tiger and two large lions. He
determined to devote ths winter months TO
the training OF these animals for exhibition
during his summer tour, and accordingly
secured the services OF Herr Darious, the
great lion tainer .ef European fAme, who
came directly from tie Geological Society
Gardens, at Hamburg. Germany, The
timer arrived OH Christmas Day. and imme-
diately began his task: He had 4 large den
erected in the south building Of solid white
oak, three inches Is thick, with ap open front,
other at regular intervals. Az one end there
= door, through which the den is entered.
and In the, centre is q swinging partition
which divides the den into apartments, and
which may be opened or closed at the train
er's will In this strong den the lions and
tigers were placed separated by the partition
except when being trained, when they were
permitted to be together.
Yesterday, as he had done every day since
his arrival, Herr Darious entered the den.
lie noticed almost Immediately that some-
thing was wrong. particularly with the
tigers. Their eyes had strange glare and
his training thong brought forth oniinous
groWls. The menagerie Eattire Of the beast
seemed to be fading, and that of the jungle
asserting itself Nothing. .daunted, Darious
fearlessly continued his task .Hlitil opportu-
nifty offering, he made sudden spring,
grasped the partition door and closed il with
q. crash. But he was not alpne--thefe was a
tiger with him. The separation rom its mate
at once lashed into fury the slumbering fe-
rocity Of the animal, and with frigIitful
Yell he leapel upon the trainer and bore him
TO the floor Of the den.,. As. Herr Darious
went OH h,s face. with the heavy. form Of the
monster across him. liz ,fttcre, one loud cry
for help, and then lay still as death, know
ing that II was his only hope. Tlic attaches
OF the place came rulYiting to the scene. but
stood duila5 with terror. And now from the
other side ct the partition came the most
frghttul roars, groans and wells, as the lions
and tigers dashed to and fro, and sprang
heavily against the door.
Herr DarIous still lay beneath tile tigers
claws, when Adam Forcpaugll, the pfoprie-s
tor, suddenly drove up iii his carriage. 1t
took but Il second for him to conipreiien the
situation: aud but another second IT. ;,et. The
head of tile beast was from him, its long tail
swis hing TO and fro with Il cat-like move
ment. With heroic bravery, quick as light
ming, Mr. Forepaugh thrust bis arm through
the bars and seized one OF the tigers bind
legs. and, bracing himself with his foot,
jerked it through the gratings ..
Quick. for Gods sake, save yourself" he
shouted, and as the tiger turned with a yell
at the sudden pain, the trainer leaped to his
feet and escaped from the den of death. And
thus, by the wonderful presence of mind ef
Herr Darious, and the no less wonderful
bravery of Mr.. Forepaugh in seizing the
tigers hind paw, 4 human lite was saved, the
trainer escaping with = few scratches.
During the affair the roars Of the beast
threw the other animals into the greatest ex-
citenient: Old Romeo, the elephant, the
champion keeper killer became almost .
unInan sgeab1e. In the upper story cocoon
gnu, or horned horse, one Of Mr.. Fore
pangh' s recent importations, and one Of the
most vicious Of all animals. broke through
the cage and Made an immediate and terrible
attack on one Of the zebra cages, containing
a beautiful and valuable animal. In less than
a moment the front. was battered down and
the poor zebra lay dying, gored e death.
Proceeding to the der containing the great
elond, the gnu began to battle at the wire-
work here, but his horns becoming entangled
he was captured and placed Il. safe quarters
without doing further damage. hiladet-
phsu Lsdaer. tl4s $$Et.g fs8 ss84sg