Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1875-04-13
THE DYING LION.
His Capture and. HistOry-A
Record of BLOOD.

There 10 now lying at the Hippo
drelne in a dying condition, one of the
most remarkable lions that was ever
imported into this country, JIM
for such is his name-was captured by
the agents of some London animal
dealers when about two years Old, and
his savage nature has never been
thoroughly tanned. With the eXCep-
ton OF Pompey, Parker and Admiral,
he is the largest and oldest African
lion now in captivity, his age being
nearly twenty eight years. Following
his capture Jim WAS taken 10 London
and placed Cd exhibition, aud after he
bad been before the public for some
time il was thought that he was in a
condition to be trained, and tanner
by The name. OF Ardent undertook the
task, but the brute handled him so
roughly that he was confined to bed
for the next six months. jim Was
then sold to the proprietor OF show
that Was travelling through the
country; aud ,Snally, after reaching
Edinburgh, 4 f'4nn by the name of Nc
Arthur undertook 10 break him as u
performing lion. He cnte ed the cage
Of the brute before large audience,
and after pctting and handling the
leopards for while he pat his hand
on Jim but the animal did not like
il. and with one blow OF his terrible
nav knocked the tGGIer down. In
T,antly all was confusion, and the
Ieonards at once made \ dash for the
lion and fastened their fangs in him.
Whether or no they saved the man is
doubtful, but certain it is they were
fast giving their life for him, and the
lion was managing them in fearful
manner WREN the trainer, with the
rapidly of lightning, cut him several
times across the head with a cOW-hide,
compelling him to Telinguish his hold,
when the gate of the training cage
that divided the animals was at once
shut, and the keeper escaped. Shortly
after this Mr.. Baruum purchased the
ferocious animal and brought him to
this country. He was used for while
In Forepaugh's menagerIe, where he
KILLED ONE OF HIS KEEPERS
by crushing in his skull with his pom
derous Jaws. He was afterwards trans
ferred to Van Amburgh menagerie,
when Professor Langworthy tried his
haad OH him, but without success.
He would not be tanned, and after re-
ceiving some bad cuts the animal was
given up as bad job. Jim was after
ward sent with the Bailey mensgerie,
aud it was while with that party that
ne made himself famous by breaking
out of his cage and attacking the huge
Jennie" elephant. The great beast
caught him in her trunk, and, after
holding him between Heaven and
earth for few seconds, dashed him to
the ground with such force as to break
three of his ribs. He was then taken
back to the Barnum show, and pro-
lessor Charles White tried his hand at
tanning him, and partly succeeded.
But few years ago, however, the
brute badly injured him, and lie was
then Gagged as an exhibition animal
The old fellow caught cold few days
ago. and Inflammation of the lungs
setting i'm he is now about being called
to his fathers. His savage nature is
apparent even in his last moments,
and but for the fact that he refused to
be fed his life might have been spared.
His career has been a most remarka-
bic one for dumb animal. and his
loss will be severely felt, as his ferocity
made him great attraction. 1t was
not thought that be would live
through the night. Jim's record foots
up in killed one man and thirteen
different animals, and host OF
wounded.