Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-02-24
Terrible Scene in Menagerie.

4 terrible ana1r occurred III CuiS clIy Scstei
day morning which, for its exciting surround
iugs, rarely ever finds parallel 10 this country.
Many of our citizens are aware that the square,
bounded by Twenty second, Nassau and Boil
ton streets. is occupied by the building of our
townsman, Adam Forepaugh, Esq, as the
wiuter quarters Of his great travelling, menagee-
RE. During the present winter Mr.. Forepaugh
has secured the services of Herr Darious, the
celebrated animal trainer, from the geological
Society's Gardens at Hamburg Germany, and
placed In his charge two magnificent royal Ben
cal tigers and two fine lions. They were to be
taught several feats of az Interesting character
more for the purpose of showing mans power
over the brute creation than tor mere grahhca-
ton of morbid appetite. Herr Darlous, IN
whose charge the animals were placed, is ia
NOUS throughout Europe for his great success
in training wild animals and his ability in this
line is we'll known among naturallsts. For this
reason Mr.. Forepaugh secured his services
day, he Immediately had large den erec-
ted in the south building, of solid white oak,
three inches thick, with an open front,
nterlaced with iron bars crossing each other at
regular intervals At one eud there is
door through which the den is entered and
in the centre is swinging PARTITION,
which divides the den into two apartments,
and which may Dc opened or CO Led 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
permitted to be together. Every day during
the winter, Herr Darious has entered this den,
opened the partition, and Interviewed the
monarchs of the gude aud forest. Yesterday
morning, while the trainer was among his
pets the tigers, for some unknown reason,
Legau to exhibit signs of sudden displeasure,
such as scraping the floor with their claws, and
brushing their sides with their tails. Darlous
immediately noticed this, aud graspiug the par
titou door, suddenly closed it with "a crash,
leaving him aloue with single tiger. The
closing of the partition, or the separation from
his mate enraged this beast, and seeing the
trainers iace turned away, he made Que spring
uttered single terrific groan, aud In a second
was on Herr Darious back, with his claws IN
his hair. As the latter tell to the floor, he
uttered shout, which brought number OF
the employees of the establishment to the scene
but their fear unnamed them, and prevented
them from rendering the trainer any assistance.
During this time Darious with rare presence
of mind, lay perfectly still, knowing full well
that single movement might result 10 his
instant death. The other animals seeing the
attack and hearing the noise set up slmulta-
neously terrible bowling, roaring and groan-
ing. and the scene became a perfect pande-
monium. The valuable performing horses ln
the adjoining stable were removed lest their
terror should overcome them. The tumult
reached the elephants quarters and it was
matter Of great difficulty to keep them quiet, es-
pecially old Romeo" the monster who kills
keeper every one or two years; the smaller ee
plants we're less disturbed. ln the upper
story, a cocoon gnu, or horned horse, one OF
Mr. Foraponuh' rncnpt mp0rtatlDnS and one
of the most vicious of all animals, broke
through his cage and made an Immediate and
terrible attack on one Of the zebra cages, con-
tanning beautiful and valuable animal. In
less than moment the front was battered
down, and the poor zebra lay dying, gored to
death Proceeding to the den containing the
great eland, the gnu began to battle at the
wirework here, but his horns becoming en-
tangled, he was captured and placed in safe
quarters, without doing further damage.
All this occurred in very short, space OF
time, and Herr Darious still lay in the tiger S
den quiet as death, when the proprietor OF the
establishment, Adam Forepaugh, suddenly
drove up in his carriage, and entering the
building, took in the situation at glance.
With the rapidity Of thought, and with dar-
ing rarely equaled he rushed directly to the
front of the den where Darious lay, put his
hand in, grasped one of the tiger S hind legs,
drew it through the bars, and braclng his feet
pulled with strength never exerted before
pulled for human life The tiger turned to
see whence came this attack in the rear, just
as Mr. Forepaugh had torseen he would turn,
then he shouted to Darious, and as the tiger
loosened his hold the trainer sprang up, opeu-
ed the door, and escaped luckily with a few
scratches The scene was one never to be for
gotten by those who witnessed it, and but tor
the cooluess and heroic bravery of Mr.. Fore,
paugh would have resulted in Herr Darlous
certain death With the exception of the dead
zebra valued at $3,OOO the damage done IS
lights. Age, Feb. %.
FINED FoRTY-THREE TlMEs.-A painter,
Peter Murdock, was arralgned before the good
Squire Miller yesterday, says the Memphis
Avalanche of the l1th inst, upon the charge
of wife beating. The same man was before
the Squire few weeks since, when the magls-
trate upon his promise of future good beha-
vior, dismissed the charge Yesterday, when
this was mentioned to him, he suggested that
the Squire should 60 to warmer climate,
from whence no man has ever returned Upon
the Souire's demonstrating with him, he again
repeated it, this time using several protane ad-
jectives by way of emphasis. II will fine you
ten dollars for contempt of court, sir, said the
good Justice ''Fine and be- retorted
this profaue Peter. II will fine you ten dollars
again, sir remarked the dignifed Squire;
Will vou2 [ don't care how much you fine, >
yelled Peter. Another ten dollars ine tor
that says the moral magistrate. go it, old q
grey headed tub. You will never get a cent,
howIed out the irate pain, singer as he shook
his fist within few inches of the nasal organ
Of the magistrate In this way it went on un-
I'll Peter had been fined forty three times
when the daring constable collared him aud
marched him off to the Jail, with S43O line
over him. Considerable money will be re-
CURED by Peter to Eiberate himself from the
unpleasant position which he now occupies
Mrs Murdock will not, in all probal ility be
annoyed by her lord and master for many
Moons.