Iowa voter. [volume] (Knoxville, Iowa) 1867-1874, 1872-02-08
4 LiOn.Tamer Torn to Pieces by Five
Lions.

4 Lion.Tamer Torn to Pieces by Five
A SERIES of farewell performances were
being given prior to the menagerie pro-
ceeding to Bury, and an extra perform
ance was announced and took place at
1890 o'clock. Attached to the show was
man named Thomas Maccarte, whose
professional appellation "Massarti, the
Lion Tanner" and he at this extra per-
Torrance entered the lions den for the
last time. Maccarte was young man,
not more than thirty-four years old, but
he had been associated with travelling eX-
hibitions of this kind from very early
period. He had previously lost an arm
when performing with Messrs Bell &
Myers Circus at Liverpool. He had pre-
viously been trained by Messrs. Batty as a
lion-tamer, and, having joined them for a
short time, he was engaged by the late Mr..
Manders to succeed Maccomo.
He was very bold and adventurous man,
and had been frequently cautioned respect
ing his rashness The unfortunate man
commenced his performances on Wednes-
day evening, when he was hardly in a
proper condition to do so; and, having
exhibited the gorilla and the serpents, he
entered the lions den. At this time it
was calculated five or six hundred persons
were present, and the fine lions in the den
were put through their performances with
the usual success and applause On all
general occasions heated bars of iron and
iron scrapers are in readiness, but on this
fatal evening the matter had been neg
| lected.
The five lions were all powerful ami
I Al r..
ing the cage noticed black named Afri-
can lion, which had only so recently as
Monday last bitten his hand, appeared
very FESTIVE. He consequently fixed his
eyes on it, and this in some degree divert
ed his attention from an Asiatic lion,
known by the name of Tyrant, against
whom he had been cautioned only that
morning to keep carefully to his instruc-
tons. 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 perform
er must not pass, knowing, if he does so,
the consequences to be expected are most
dangerous. The presumption is that this
line was overstepped, and Maccarte, who
was attired as Roman gladiator, was re-
turning his falchion to its sheath, slipping,
he fell on the floor of the den. Tyrant
fastened on him, Selling him by The
launches, and then the African lion fast
ened on to his armless shoulder. Mac
carte Immediately called on the keepers
for help, meanwhile to fire. He then
drew the short Roman blade which form
ed part of his costume, and commenced
fighting desperately with the lion Tyrant,
thrusting the sword into his face, mouth
and eyes The crowd, panic-stricken
crowded around and eflectually prevented
the approach of the men who were used
to the habits of the animals The shouts
of the audience, the desperate and man.
fui struggle of the fatcd man, and
the smell of the blood which was
streaming from Maccarte melted
the other animals and their
savage Instinct was awakened. A third
lion-an Abyssinian one-seized him by
the ribs, and then tive-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.
The deadly struggle progressed. and
Mr.. Birchall, who had from the first been
most active, placed iron scrapers in the
fire to heat them. Pistols and guns were
discharged, but they, unfortunately, were
only loaded with blank cartridge, and the
blazing OF gunpowder failed to drive the
animals from their quarry. Meanwhile
the irons were heated; an iron shutter to
separate the animals in the cage was in
readiness, and Mr.. Birchall and an assist
ant succeeded in beating off the animals:
! the fifth, having in the time scented and
tasted the blood, which streamed out of
the carriage, added his fangs to those
which had already played such havoc with
. the human form PROSTATE before them.
l The sliding door was pushed in; three of
9 the animals, being driven away with hot
! irons, were separated, and then the lion
that had seized Maccarte by the shoulder
was driven in corner The shutter was
: partially opened to drive him among the
: others, when fourth Infatuated beast
seized him just above the boot, and drag.
, geo MN In again among them. Then the
irightful work went on again for a
rev sickening and horrifying mo.
I, ments. hot irons were now avail
able, and the brutes being driven off. the
: poor ana almost pulseless piece of human
NY was drawn out from the place it was
laled ne never more should enter. He
sustained sufficient sensibility to speak to
: MS warm hearted colleagues few faint
! Morus, praying them not to take him away
g TO receive medical aid, as he knew thai
ne was dead man. His anxious friends
3 carried him tenderly to the infirmarv
: where, after few moments, he breatbed
: MS last, after muttering few incoherent
9 sentences. AS the shattered frame was
! borne past Mrs. Manders, he family way.
3 ea MS hand and gave her an expressive
look, which conveyed the words that he
. was past all hope of aid. MANY of the
: shots nred entered the bodies of the ami
mas, and they received great injury be.
: lore 1ney were driven off their prey. The
non lyrant is three and half wears old
anu mad been brought up from n whe,n NV,