Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1874-08-25
Denth ofthe ItonJuIins

There are many Of the Herald readers
who, no doubt, remember the lion julius,
the subject of this obituary He was the
oldest animal Of his kind in the United
States, having attained the venerable age
of thirty-one years, nearly the maximum
of life of the lion in his wild state. julius
was said to be the largest lion ever i'm
ported into this country, and besides be-
ing of royal lineage himself, he had the
honor at one time to belong to royalty,
having been the pet in the menage of one
of the small princes of Africa, from
whom he was purchased by some Eng
lish agents of an animal dealer in Lon
don. After his arrival in that city, the
subject of this notice was purchased by
Bradley, the Snowman, and at once
trained for cage performances. His ma
jestic appearance at once made him a
public favorite, and it was not until
some two years afterwards that he lost
caste. While performing one night in
Edinburg, Scotland, he became suddenly
enraged about something, and attacked
his trainer, who, by the way, was new
one, and before anyone could interfere
his terrible paws and teeth had done
their deadly work The man was liter
ally torn into shreds. Some American
purchasing agents finally obtained the
brute, and he was transferred TO Van
Amburgh's menagerie, and for many
years delighted the gaping crowds that
witnessed him perform. Some twelve
or thirteen years ago, while being ham
died in the training cage, during visit
OF Forepaugh's menagerie to Philadel-
phia, his trainer foolishly undertook to
put his head into the animals mouth,
but the brute, not liking the sport, re-
fused to open his mouth wide enough,
when the trainer slapped him in the face.
Julius at this grew angry, and closing
his ponderous jaws upon the man skull,
crushed it as if it had been an egg-shell.
1t is said that this is the only instance of
a man being killed by lion in this
country. Julius was a magnificent brute,
and his long, shaggy name was coal
black. After this last exhibition of his
temper he was used only as cage ami
NAL Many stories are told of this lion,
the most singular one being his fondness
for small animals, and keeper who was
with him several years speaks with pride
of the kindness he used to show to little
black and tan dog that took notion to
occasionally pay visit to the cage of
his highness. 1t may be remembered
that Julius was blind of an eye, caused
by an accident that happened to him
upon an occasion some years ago in
Nashville, Tenn, where he escaped
from his cage. and, after killing a camel
and iDjuring some other animals, he
made charge upon the cage of leop-
ard, who struck him with his paw, com
pletely running the sight of one eye.
Mr.. W. Conklin, the Superintendent of
the Central Park Geological Garden
tells many other interesting anecdotes of
the sagacity of the lion, and especially
Of the great brute Park now among his
collection, and at present the oldest lion
in America, his age being twenty.six
years. The immediate cause of the death
of Julius was lung fever disease to
which lions in confinement are most sub.
ject, though be had been ailing for some
time. Travelling through the country
not being considered beneficial, he was
carefully Gagged and sent On his return
trip to New York, for the purpose of be-
ing put in the hospital; but his day of
usefulness had passed, and, while pass
ing through the State of New Jersey,
Azrael spread his wings and the noble
brute passed to his ancestors. 1t may
be truly said of him that he was lion
with.a single virtue linked to 9 thousand
crimes. When the taxidermist has pre-
pared his skin, it will adorn the museum
of the Central Park. julius cost $500.