Spirit of Jefferson. [volume] (Charles Town, Va. [W. Va.]) 1844-1948, 1872-02-06
Death in a Menagerie "A Lion Tanner
Torn to Pieces BY Five Lions.

At a performances of a travelling menaserie.
at Bottom, England, lately, AIaccalte, the lion
tanner, gave his usual pei tormance, in which
he had to enter the cage of five lions. On
all general occasions heated bars of iron and
iron scraper are in readiness. but on this fatal
evening the matter had been neglected. The
i've lions were all powerful animals, aud the
unfortunate man on entering the cage noticed
that black named African lion, which had
only SO recently as Monday last bitten his
hand, appeared very restlve. He consequent.
iy fixed his eyes on it, and this in some degree
diverted his attention from an Asiatlc lion
known by the name of Tyrant, against whom
he had been cautioned only that morning to
keep carefully to his instructions.
1t is necessary here t, note that when per.
forming lions are tanned, there is liue drawn,
or what is known as "the Office" in technical
phiaseology, by which the beasts are taught
to regard that line as limit beyond which the
performer must not pass. -knowin. if he does
so, the consequences to be expected are most
dangerous. The presuml ton is tina. tn S line
was overstepped, and Maccarta, who was at
tired as Roman gladiator, was returning his
ialchion t. its aheuth. slipping, be ieil on the
floor Of the den. Tyrant fastened on him,
seizing him by the launches. aud then the
African lion fastened on his armless shoulder.
Maccarte Immediately called upon the keepers
Tor help, aud meanwhile to fire. He then
drew the short Roman blade which formed
part OF his costume and commenced fighting
desperately with the lion Tyrant, thrusting
the sword into its face. mouth and eyes The
crowd, panic-stricken, crowded around and
eftectually prevented the approach of the men
who were used t. the habits OF the animals
The shouts of the audience, the desperate and
ula nf f,,a ,aI
smell of blood which was streaming from
Maccarte, incited the other animals. and their
savage instinct was awakened. A third lion
an Ahysslnian one seized him by the ribs,
and then five year old lion, and an especial
faV"rite ut the lion> tamer. caugh, him by the
head, literally scalping him, the flesh hang
ing down his neck. The treacherous favorite
had no sooner accomp pshed this work than he
returned quietly t, his corner.
Meanwhile the irons were heated, and
three OF the animals driven away, when a
fourth seized hlaccarte Just above the boot
aud dragged him in again among them. Then
the trighttul work went on 1gain for a few
sickening and horrifying moments IIo, irons
were now available, aud the brutes being
driven oil, the poor and almost pulseless piece
OF humanity was drawn out from the place it
was fated he never more should enter. He
sustained sufficient sensiblity to speak to his
warmheaited colleagues few faint words
PRAYING them not tn take him away to eceive
medical aid, as he knew that he was a dead
man. His anxious friends carried him ten
derry to the i"ru'ary, where, after a few mo.
men;s he breatheti his ls>t, after nut eriny n
lew lnc"heren' sentences. The c"roner's Jury
returned IA verdict "f death hy n,sadvert,,re.
and added: The jury feel it to be their boun
den duty to"xpress their entire dsapp.obation
OF the reckless custom of So called lion tanners
pertorming in deus were terocous animals are
Gagged"