Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-05-08
The Dying LIOm-Hfs Capture aud
HfstOry-A Record of BLOOD.

]
There is now lying at the hippo
drome 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 thor
oughly tanned.
With the exception of Pompey, Park
er 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 pub
lie for some time it was thought that
he was in 4 condition to be trained,
and q tanner by the name of Ardent
undertook the task, but the brute han
died him so roughly that he was con-
fined to bed for the next six months
Jim was theH solo to the proprietor of
a show that was travelling through the
county; and, finally, after reaching
EdipbuTg, man by the name of Nc
Arthur undertook to break him as a
performing lion. He entered the cage
Of the brute before n large audience,
and after Pettirg and handling the
leOpards for a waile 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 WIS confusion. and the leopards at
once made 4 dash for the lion, and fas- !
tened their faDgs 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 mangling |
them in fearful manner, when the |
trainer, with the rapidity of lightning, |
cut him several times - IS the eyes
with a cowhide, compelling him to re- /
linquish his hold, when the gate of the /
training cage that divided the animals |
was at see shut, and the keeper es-
capped. Shortly after this Mr.. Barnum /
purchased the ferOcious animal and /
brought him this country. He was
used for awhliAin FOrepaugh's mena- /
gerie, where he killed one of his keep /
ers, by crushing in his skull with his |
ponderous jaws. He was afterward /
transferred TO Van Amburgh's mena>
gerie, when Prof. Langworthy tried |
his hand on 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 menagerie
and it was while with that party that
he made himself famous by breaking
ont of his cage and attacking the huge
"Jennie" eleI lant. 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 Prof.
Charles White tried his hand at tam
ing him and partly succeeded. But a
few years ago, however, the brute bad
ly injured him and he was then Gagged
as an exhibition animal. The cid fell
low caught cold a few days ago, and,
Inflammation of the lungs setting in,
he is about to be 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 remarkable one for 4 dumb an
imsl, and his loss will be severely felt,
as his ferocity made him a great at
traction. 1t was not thought that he
would live through the night Jim's
record foots up in killed, one man and
thirteen different animals am host
Of wounded.