Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1872-02-02
From the Manchester Guardian. I
A Lion Tanner Killed by Lion

| A AlAVn A0uACH AAHACu NY AAOASs
A dreadful scene happened in Manders
Menagerie, Market square, Bolton, Thorn
as Maccarte being attacked and killed by
lions as be was performing in their midst
It was the last evening of the exhibition,
and Maccarte undertook to give an extra
performance. In the cage which he enter
ed were five lions. The animals had been
put through their leaping exercises, when
Maccarte noticed that one, q full grown
Asiatic, was FESTIVE, and showed his teeth.
He drew his sword and pointed it threaten
ingly at the lions mouth. His attention
being thus diverted from the other animals,
young African lion crept stealthily out
from the group and sprang towards Maccar-
tie, Selling him by his right hip and throw
ing him down. At the same time the
Asiatic lion fastened itself upon his head,
tearing off 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' Menagerie 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 infictiDg some fearful gashes on the
face of beth 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. Mac
carte retained his presence of mind, and
called out to the men to fire amongst the an
imals. Revolyers and rifles were according
ly procured, and whilst some fred blank
cartridges full in the faces of the Infatuated
beasts, Others probed them with heated
irons, stabbed them with forks, and beat
them with ladder and iron scrapers L.
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 it
was not until the heated bars were applied to
the nose of the animal that it reIinquished
its hold and raf behind the partition. Mac
carte then staggered to his feet, but ere be
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
sorner among the other animals. Again
The frightful struggle went on. Maccarte
vas dragged up and down the cage by the
head and the legs three or four times, the
floor being completely saturated with 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 corner and
The partition closed against them. Maccar-
te was then released, still conscious. As he
was borne to the infrmary. he exclaimed to
. fellow workman: Harry, I am done
for In addition to the back part of tbs
scalp, all the flesh had been torn from the
thighs, the ght arm was fractured in two
places, as we'll as badly lacerated from the
shoulder to the hand; the chest had been
laccrated, and the bones of the pelvis had
pieces bitten out of them. He died in ten
minutes after his admission to the in6rmary.
Deceased was 33 years of age, was native
Of Cork and was married.