The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1872-01-27
A Lion Tanner Killed by Lions.

A dreadful scene happened in Manders'
Meuagerie, Market Square, Bolton, Thomas
Muccarte being attacked and killed by lions
as he was performing in their midst. 1t
was the last evening of the exhibition, and
Maccarte undertook to give nm extra per
formance. In the cage which he entered
were five lions. The animals had been
put through their leaping exercises, when
Maccarte noticed that one, full grown
Asiatic, was FESTIVE, and showed its teeth.
He drew his sword and pointed it threat.
eningly Mt the lions mouth. His attention
being thus diverted from the other animals,
young African lion crept stealthily out
from the group aud sprang towards Mac
carte, seizing him by his right hip and
throwing him down. AT the same time
the Asiatic lion fastened itself upon his
head, tearing of a portion of his scalp. A
scene of the widest confusion ensued--
women screaming, and men running about
| in all directions in search Of weapons. 1t
is usual in Manders' meuagerie TO keep
number of irons continually heated for
emergencies, but ON this occasion they had
been removed and fresh irons had to be
| placed in the fire.
Maccarte fought desperately with his
sword, inhieting some fearful gashes on
| the faces of both lions. One of the other
lions now seized the unfortunate man by
his only arm, fracturing the bones, while
| another tore piece OF flesh out of his
| thigh. Maccarte retained his presence of
mind, and called out to the men to fire
amongst the animals. Reviewers and rifles
we're accordingly procured, and whilst some
fired blank cartridges fulfin the faces oflhe
infuriated beasts, Others probed them with
heated irons, stabbed them with forks, and
| beat them with ladder aud iron scrapers.
Eventually slide was introduced between
the bars of the cage. behind which Mr.
Birchall, the agent, and John Ryan, one
of the keepers, drove four Of the lions.
| At the fifth lion more shots were fired, but
il was not until the heated bars were applied
\ 10 the nose of the animal that it relinqulshed
its hold aud ran behind the partition.
/ MAccnrte then staggered to his feet, but
ere he could reach the door and before
the slide could be closed, the African lion
again rushed out, seized the poor fellow
again by the foot, and dragged him back
into the corner among the other animals.
Again the frightfu struggle went ON. Mac.
carte was dragged up aud down the cage by
| the head and the legs three or four times,
we uuoE Otlhg CuHlplClclJ saturated Win
| his blood, Some rifles loaded with shot
were now discharged among the savage
brutes, and with several irons, now heated
to red glow they were beaten into con.
ner aud the partition closed against them,
Maccarte was then released, still conscious.
As he was borne to the Infrmory, be
exclaimed to fellow workman, Harry,
am done for. In addition to the bnck
part of the scalp, all the flesh had been
torn from the thighs, the right arm was
1 fractured in two places, as we'll as badly
| lacerated from the shoulder to the hand,
the chest had been lacerated, aud the bones
OF the pevis had pieces bitten out OF them,
He diedin ten minutes after his admission TO
the inlirmary. Deceased was SO years of
age, was II native OF Cork, and was married
Manchester (EagLdIgd) Guardian, 9TH.