Orleans County monitor. [volume] (Barton, Vt.) 1872-1953, 1872-07-01
A MENAGERIE LOOSE.

As Barnum's show was leaving Erie,
Pa, week ago Saturday morning en-
route for Cory, one of the trains drawn
by two engines was thrown from the
track, and both locomotives and several
cars were precipitated down the bank,
the two former imbedded in the earth,
while the latter were completely wrecked
and the entire train and its contents re-
ceived lively shaking up. The lions
roared, the monkeys chartered, parrots
screamed, the great rhinoceros snorted
and bawled, while the less ferocious an
imals, like the giraffe and eland, shrunk
trembling into corners, refusing to rec
ognize the caresses of their keepers. AS
the accident happened about two o'clock
in the morning, and the night was cloudy
and dark, the confusion that reigned
must be imagined for it cannot be de-
scribed. 1t was speedily discovered that
a cage containing two Asiatic lions was
among the wreck, and the terrified per-
formers were not long in learning that
these two monarchs of the jungle were
loose and unharmed. This fact added
to the terror of the scene, and stam-
pede for safety Immediately ensued.-
Prof. Chas. White, the celebrated lion
tanner, alone remained undismayed and
Immediately began perfecting arrange
ments to secure his pets,a feat las may be
supposed, not easily accomplished. Pro-
viding himself with an ordinary raw
hide, Prof White advanced toward the
two unloosed brutes who stood glancing fe-
rociously about them, but he had not ap-
preached very near to them when he was
greeted with a terrific roar from the male,
which broke the still of the night in an
awful and startling manner. 1t "meant
business and as the great beast stood
erect lashing his tawny sides with his
tail, it was evident that for a time at
least, he was monarch of all he surveyed.
The little ''kitten' or baby lion partook
of the general excitement, and mewed
piteously. At times the lioness would
seize it in her mouth and look ferociously
about, as if upon the point of leaping
into the darkness in search of a safe re-
treat, and for time things looked squal-
ly. The lion-tamer, however, was at
work, and procuring a stout rope he sue
ceeded in throwing it over the head Of
the male lion, and in a few moments he
was securely fastened to tree. The fe-
male, however, with the perseverance
peculiar to her sex, and perhaps infuri-
ated by the recent loss of two of her
kittens, was not so tractable, and showed
fight, but Prof Whites determined man.
ner soon brought her to terms, and slip
noosing the younger one and drawing
it into an empty cage, the mother was
induced to follow, and thus were both
the ferocious beasts secured, and all i'm
mediate danger from them was over
The other animals were captured with.
out much trouble, and at about 10 o'clock
the show arrived at Corey, where an i'm.
mense crowd of people were patiently
waiting their coming. 1t is at once sin
gular and fortunate that no one was Sc
riously injured, nor were any very valu
able animals hurt Four cars, with theil
contents, were wrecked, and many ami
mails let loose, but it Is believed thai
most of them have been recaptured, the
lions being the only dangerous ones tha
were let loose. The accident was causet
by a switch being out of place, and botl
the switchman and engineer are blamed
1t is probable that whoever is to blame
the railroad company will have rounc
bill of damages to pay.