The Canton mail. [volume] (Canton, Miss.) 18??-1882, 1875-04-24
The Dying Lion.

Ills Capture and HistOry-A Record OF
Blood.
There is now lying at the hippodrome
in 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 exception of Pompey,
Parker and Admiral, he is the largest
and Oldest African lion in captivity, his
age being nearly twenty eight years.
Following his capture Jim was taken to
London and placed on exhibition, and
after he had been before the public for
some time it was thought that he was
in a condition to be trained, and a
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; and,
finally, after reaching Edinburg, man
by the name of Macarthur undertook to
break him as q performing lion. He
entered the cage of the brute before
large audience, and after petting and
handling the leopards for while he
put his hand on Jim; but the animal
did not like it, and with one blow OF
his terrible paw knocked the tanner
down. Instantly all was confusion. and
the leopards 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 last
irving their life for him and the lion
in, n.
ner. when the trainer, with the rapid
ity of lightning, cut him several times
across the eyes with q cowhide, COM
pellinR him to relinquish bis hold,
when the gate of the training cage that
divided the animals was at once shut,
and the keeper escaped. Shortly after
this Mr.. Barnum purchased the fero-
cious animal and brought him to this
country, He was used for awhile IN
Forepaugh's menagerie, where he killed
one of his keepers. By crushing in bis
skull with his ponderous jaws. He
was afterward transferred to Van Am
burph's menagerie, when Prof. Lang
worthy tried his hand on him, but
without success. He would not be
tanned. and after receiving some bad
cuts the animal was given up as bad
ieb. Jim was afterward sent with the
Railey menagerie and it was while with
that party that he made himself ia
nous by breaking out of his cage and
attacking the huge 'sJennle elephant.
The great beast caught him in her
trunk, and, after holding him between
heaven and earth for a few seconds,
dashed him to the ground with sucn
force as to break three of his RIBS. he
was then taken back to the Barnum
show and Prof. Charles White tried his
hand at tanning him and partly succeed
ed. But a few years ago, however, the
brute badly injured him and he was
then Gagged Ms an exhibition animal.
The old fellow caught cold few days
ago. and. Inflammation of the lungs
setting in, he is about to be called to
his fathers. His savage nature is APP
parent 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 remarkable
one for dumb animal, and his loss will
he severely felt, a. his ferocity made
him a great attraction. 1t was not
thought that he would live through the
night. Jim's record foots up in killed
one man and thirteen different animals
and n host of wounded.
Coop housekeepers are sad when they
turn to dust. They say Let III
aUeepr