The Highland weekly news. [volume] (Hillsborough [Hillsboro], Highland County, Ohio) 1853-1886, 1872-02-29
Horrible sceueiuaEIenagerie

A most horrible story comes to |
US from England, where, in a coun-
try exhibition of wild animals, a
lion tanner was fallen foul of by FIVE
lions into whose cage he had enter
ed, and torn to pieces and chewed
up before an agonized crowd of
spectators in the most shocking
conceivable. We give some
Of the distressing particulars:
When performing lions are tanned
there is a 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 performer must
not pass, knowing that if he does so
the consequences to be expected are
most dangerous. The presumption
is that this line was overstepped,
and DIaccarte, who was attired as
Roman gladiator, was returning his
falchion to its sheath, but slipping,
he fell on the floor of the den.
Tyrant (the name of the largest lion)
fastened on him, seizing him by the
launches, and then the African lion
fastened on to his armless shoulder.
Maccarte Immediately called upon
the keepers for help, and meanwhile
to fire. He then drew a short Ro-
man blade which formed a part of
his costume, and commenced fight
ing desperately with the lion Tyrant,
thrusting the sword into its face,
mouth and eyes. The crowd, panic
stricken, crowded around and effec-
tually prevented the approach of
the men who were used to the hab-
its of the animals. The shouts of
the audience, the desperate and
mauful struggle of the fatOd man,
and the smell of the blood which
was streaming from Maccarte, excit-
ed the other animals and their saw
age instinct was awakened. A
third One-an Abyssinian one
seized him by the ribs, and then a
five-year-old lion and an especial
hiSOrit6 with the lion tanner caught,
him by the head, literally scaIping
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 scrap
ers in the fire to heat them. Pts
tolls and guns were discharged, but
unfortunately were only loaded
with blank cartridge, and the blazing
of gunpowder failed to drive the
animals from the quarry. Mean
while the irons were heated, an iron
shutter to separate the animals in
the cage when an opportunity offer
ed was in readiness, and Mr.. Birch
all and an assistant succeeded in
beating off the animals-the fifth,
having in the meantime scented
and tasted the blood which stream
ed out ofthe carriage, added his fangs
to those which had already played
such havoc with the human form
PROSTATE before them. The sliding
door was pushed in; three of the
animals, being driven away with
hot irons, were separated, and then
the lion that had seized Maecarte by
the shoulder, was driven into a cor
ner. The shutter was partially
opened to drive him in among the
others, when a fourth infuriated
beast seized Maecarte just above the
boot and dragged him in among
them again. Then the frightful
work went on again for a few sick
ening and horrifying moments.
Hot irons were now available, and
the Grutes being driven off, the poor
and almost pulseless piece of human
ity was drawn out from the place it
was fated he never more should en-
ter. He retained a sufficient sensi.
bility 10 speak to his warm hearted
colleagues a few faint words, pray
ing them not to take him away to
receive medical aid, as he knew
that he was a dead man. His anx-
iOus friends carried him tenderly to
the infrmary, where after a few
moments he breathed his last, after
muttering a few incoherent SEN
tences.
"Boss, that's a fine horse you have
there; how much is he worth?"
"Three hundred and fifty dollars"
"Not so much as that?"
"Yes, every cent of it, and another if
ty on top of it."
care you sure2"
ayes, I'd swear to it."
"All right"
"What are you so iuquisitive for ?"
"Merely for assessing purposes. am
assessor for this ward, and only wanted
to know at what you rated your nag"
This season Yosemite tourists can
be carried by rail within eighty
miles of the valley, by either the