Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-02-28
FIGHTING A TIGER.
Terrible Scene in FOrepaugh's Mena-
gerie fn PhiIadelphia-The Trainer
Attacked by a Royal Bengal Tiger
Narrow Escape.

Terrible Scene in FOrepaugh's Mena-
gerie fn PhiIadeiPhia-TheT Trainer
Attacked by a Royal Bengal Tiger
Narrow Escape.
From the Philadelphia Telegraph, Feb. p.
The managerie of Adam Forepaugh, Esq,
is housed in winter quarters at Twenty-se-
coDd and Nassau streets. Here it is that he
has his magnificent collection of animals.
Among others he possesses. a magnificent
royal Bengal tiger and two large lions. He
determined to devote the winter months to
the training of these animals for exhibition
during bis summer tour, and accordingly
secured the services Of Herr Do BUS, the
great lion tanner of European fame,
who came dir city from the Zoolo-
gical Society Gardens, at Hamburg, Ger
many. The tanner arrived on Christmas
Day and Immediately began his task. He
had a large den erected in the south build
ing of solid white oak, three inches thick,
with an open front, interlaced with iron
bars crossing each other at regular intervals.
At one end there is a door, through which
the den is entered, and in the centre is a
swinging partition, which divides the den
into 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-
nIitted to be together.
Yesterday, as he had done every day
since his arrival, Herr Darious entered the
den. He noticed almost immediately that
something was wrong, particularly with the
tigers. Their eyes had strange glare and
his training thong brought forth Ominous
growls. The menagerie nature Of the
beast seemed to be fading, and that of the
jungle asserting itself Nothing daunted,
Darious fearlessly continued his task, until
opportunity offering, he made a sudden
spring, grasped the partition door, and
closed il with a crash. But he was not
alOne-there was tiger with him. The
separation from its mate at once lashed
into fury the slumbering ferOcity of
the animal, and with frightful cell he leap
ed upon the trainer and bore him to the
floor of the den. As Herr Darious went on
his fact, with the heavy form of the monster
across him. he uttered one loud cry for help,
and then lay still as death, knowing that it
was his only hope. The attaches of the
place came running to the scene, but stood
dumb with terror. And now from the 9TH
er side of the partition came the most
frightful rOars, grOans,and yells, as the lions
and tigers dashed to and fro, and sprsng
Herr ttisrious still iayy "a. s..y .sser's
claws, when Adam For5paugh, the propri-
etor, suddenly drove up in his carriage. 1t
took but a second for him to comprehend
the situation, but another second to act.
The head of the beast was from him, its
long tail swishing to and fro with cat-like
With heroic bravery, quick as
lightning, Mr.. Forepaugh thrust his arm
through the bars, seized one of the tigers |
hind legs, ard, bTacing himself with his foot,
jerked it through the grating.
"Quick. for Gods sake, save YOURSELF
he shouted, and as the tiger turned with a
veil at the sudden pain, the trainer leaped |
to his feet and escaped from the den of |
death. And thus by the wonderful pres |
ence of mind of Herr Darious. and the no |
less wonderful bravery of Mr.. Forepaugh in |
Selling the tigers hind paw, a human life |
was saved, the trainer escaping with few
scratches.
During the affair the rOars Of the beasts |
threw the other animals into the greatest |
excitement. Old Romeo, the elephant, the !
champion "keeper-killer," became almost |
In the upper story a |
cocoon gnoO, or horned horse, one Of Mr.. |
FOrepaugh'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 beautiful and valuable
animal. In less than a moment the front
was battered down, and the poor zebra lay
dying, gored TO death. Proceeding to the
den containg the great Gland, the gnOO be-
gan to battle at the wirewOrk here, but his
horns becoming entanged, he was captured
and placed in safe quarters without doing
fr1rt har darnarp