The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-06-20

BARNUM's MENAoKRIE LOOSE. the
great Barnum's show was leaving Erie on
Saturday morning, en- route to CORY, one
OF the trains drawn by two engines was
thrown from the track, and both locomo.
tives and several cars we're preoipitated
down the bank, the two former imbedded
in the earth, while the latter were COM
pletely wrecked, and the entire train and
it's contents received lively shaking up.
The lions rcared, the monkeys chatter.
ed. parrots screamed, the great rhinoce-
ros snorted and bawled, while the less
ferooious animals, like the giraffe and
eland, shrank trembling into corners, re.
fusing to recognize the -caresses of their
keepers.
Aorobats and equestrians executed
feats of agility never attempted in the
sawdust ring, some of them going
through the car windows in their eager
ness to escape. Melvith executed
pirouette on his head, while Lazelle and
Wilson gave an exhibition of their skill
on the flying" trapeze. unequailed for
rapidity in its execution. Dan CASTILLO
thought that the funniest thing be could
say was that ''absence of body is better
| than presence of mind in this case, and
he proceeded to give practical illustra-
ton Of his idea, while the old perform
ers involuntarily gave an exhibition Of
ground and lofty tumbling mot set
down on the bills" Ben. Lusbie, the
lightning" ticket seller, solved pro-
blem in substraction, with his usual
agility, while Summerfield. his assistant,
made "ohange" with refreshing rapidity
AS the accident happened about 2 O'Clock
in the morning, and the night being
cloudy and dark, the confusion that
reigned must be imagined. for it cannot
be described.
It was speedily discovered that Gage
containing two royal Asiatic lions was
among the wreck, and the terrified per-
formers were not long in ascertaining
that these two monarchs of the jungle
were loose and unharmed. This fact
| added to the terror of the scene, and
stampede for safety Immediately ensued.
Professor Charles White, the celebrated
lion tanner. alone remained undismayed,
and immediately began perfecting ar
| engagements to secure his pets, feat, az
may be- supposed, not easily accom-
pished. Providing himself with an or
binary raw-hide, Professor White ad-
vanced toward the spot where the two
unieashed brutes stood glanoing fero-
ciously about them; but he had not ap-
preached very near to them when he
was greeted with terrific roar from the
male, which broke the stiffness of the
night in awful and startling manner. It
"meant business. and as the great beast
stood erect, lashing his tawny sides with
his tail, it was evident that for time,
at least, he was "mouarch Of all he sur
veyed."
The little "kitten" or baby lion par
took of the general excitement, and
mewed piteousy. At times the lioness
would seize it in her mouth and look
fnriously about, as if upon the point of
leaplng into the darkness in srarch of
safe retreat. and for time things looked
squally. The lion tanner, however, was
at work, and, procuring stout rope, he
succeeded in throwing it over the head
OF the male lion, and in few moments
he was securely fastened to tree. The
female, however, with perverseness pc.
culiar to her sex, and, perhaps, infuri-
ated By the recent loss of two of her
Kittens" was not 30 tractable and
showed fight; but Professor Whites de-
termined manner soon brought her to
terms, and slip-noosing the younger one,
and slowly drawing it into an empty
cage, the mother was induced to follow,
and thus were both the ferocious beasts
secured, and oil immediate danger from
them was over.
The other animals were captured with
out much trouble, and at about 10
| o'clock the show arrived at Cory, where
an immense crowd of people were pa
tiently 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, we're
wrecked, and many animals let loose,
but it liz believed that most of them have
been recuptured. tho lions being the
| only dangerous ones that were let loose.
Great credit is due to Professor White
for his intrepidity, for had he been less
determined, serious loss of life might
have occurred through the ferocity of
the Two brutes that had 30 suddenly se-
cnred their freedom. - Titusuille Courier.
THE MOUNT VERNON REaENCY-Ix1-
pRovEMENT OF THB ESTATE, &o-The
Council of Vice. Regents of the Mount
Vernon estate, held last week. elected
Mrs. Mason, Of Virginia, and Mrs. Dill
Ion, of Iowa, as Vice Regents of those
L