Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-06-20
THRILLING SCENE.
Wreck of a Railroad Train-LiOl
and Tigers LOOae

Wreck of a Railroad Train-LdOns
and Tigers Loose.
The wreck of railroad train near Erie,
Pa, few days ago, was accompanied by
the following incidents, described by the
Titusville Courier :gra- .rI-frsf# re- "
As the accident happened about two
O'Clock in the morning, and the night being
cloudy and dark, the confusion that reigned
must be imagined, for it cannot be des-
cribed. -ra.-. .sr.T
1t was speedily discovered that a cage
containing two royal Asiatie lions was
among the wreck, and the terrified per-
formers we're not long in ascertaining that
these two monarehs of the jungle were
loose and unAarmed. This fact added to
the terror of the scene, and stampede for
safety Immediately ensued. Prof. Charles
White, the celebrated lion tanner, alone re-
naming undismayed, Immediately began
perfecting arrangements to secure his pets,
feat, as may be supposed, not easily ac-
complished. .rrHg ed
Providing himself with an ordinary raw
hide, Prof. White advanced towards the
spot where the two unleashed brutes stood
glancing ferociously about them, but he had
not approached very near to them when he
was greeted with terrific roar from the
male, which broke the stiffness 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 time be
was "monarch of all he surveyed"
The little "kitten" or baby lion partook
of the general excitement, and mewed pit
eously. At times the lioness would seize it
in her mouth and look turiously about. as
if upon the point of leaping into the dark
ness in search of a safe retreat, and for a
time things looked squally. The lion Ia
mer, however, was at work, and procuring
a stout rope be succeeded in throwing it
over the head of the male lion, and in few
minutes ne was securely fastened to tree.
The female, however, with a perVerseness
peculiar to her sex, and perhaps Infatuated
BY the loss of two of her "kittens," was not
so tractable, and showed fight, but Prof.
Whites determined manner soon brought
her to terms, and slip-noosing the younger,
and slowly drawing it into an empty cage,
the mother was induced to follow, and
thus we're both the ferocious beasts Sc
cured, and all immediate danger from
them was over. The other animals were
captured without much trouble, and at
about ten O'Clock the show arrived in Cor
~, where an immense crowd of people
were patiently awaiting their coming.
1t is at once singular and fortunate that
no one was seriously injured, nor were any
valuable animals hurt. -Four cars, with
their contents, were wrecked, and many an
finals let loose, but it is believed that the
most of these have been recaptured, the
lions being the only dangerous ones that
were let loose. 1t was not known until the
train reached Cory that the cage contain
ing the tigers had been haTmed, but in the
smash one end of the cage had been knock
ed in, and when the train stopped at the
depot, both tigers quietly poked their heads
out, and were upon the point of leaping
into the crowd, when they were discovered
and driven back.