The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1875-04-22
THE DYING LION ;
HIS CAPTURE AND HIST0RYL---11
mn RECORD or BLOOD. r'.o
NM YORK HerdLd, 1@.l

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There is now lying at the Hippodrome
in a dying condition one of the most re-
markaUle lions that was ever imported
into this country. "Jim"-forsuch 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 Admi-
raj, he is the largest and oldest African
lion in captivity, his age being nearly
twenty-eight years. Following his cap
ture Jill was taken to London and placed
on exhibition, and after he had been be-
fore the public for some time, it was
thought that he was in condition to be
trained, and tanner by the name of Ar
dent undertook the task, but the brute
handled him so roughly that he was con
fined to bed for the next six months.
Jim was then sold to the proprietor Of a
SHOW tIldU WIS llhNSllHS AHl'VSAi WV
country; and, finally, after reaching Ed.
inburgh, man blythe name OF Macarthur
undertook to break him as. Il performing
lion. He entered the cage of the brute
before large audience, and after pettine
and handling the leopards Tor awhile, he
put his hand on Jim; but the animal did
not like it, and with one blow Of his ter
rible paw KNOCKED the tanner doWn. IN
stantly all was confusion, and ibe leop'
ards at once made dash for the lion
and fastened theirtaDgs in HIM, Whether
or no they saved the man Is doubtful, but
certain it is they were fast giving then
life for him, and the lion vas mangIing
them in fearful manner, when the
trainer, with the rapidity Of lightning
cut him several times across the eyes
with cowhide, compelling him to re-
Iinquish his hold, when the gate OF the
training cage that divided the animals
was at once shut, and the keeper escaped
shortly afer this Mr. Barnum purchased
the ferocious animal and brought him to
this country. He WAS used for a while
in Forepaughs menagerie, where ht
killed one Of his keepers by crushing his
skull with his po derous jaws. He was
afterwards transferred to Van Amburgh''
menagerie, when Professor Longworlhy
tried his hand on him, but without sue
cess. He would not be tanned, and aflel
receiving some bad cuts the animal waS
given up rs u bad job. Jim was after
ward sent with the Bailey menagere
and it was while with that party that he
ade himself famous by breaking out o
his cage and attacking The huge Jennie
elephant. The great beast caught hin
in her, trunk, and, afer holding him be
tween heaven and earth for a few sec
Onds, dashed him to the ground will
such force .as to break. three of his ribs
He was then taken back to the Barnun
show, and Prof Charles, White tried hi
hand at tanning him and partly succeed
ed, But a lew years ago, however, the
brute badly injured him, and he wa'
the Gagged as an exhibition animal, The
uld fellow caught cold a few days ago
aud, inflammation ofthe lungs settlngin,
he is about TO he called TO his fathers
His savage nature, il apparent even t.
his last moments, and but for the fact
that he refused to be fed his life might
nave been spared. His career has been
remarkable, one for dumb animal
and his less will be severely felt, as hi'
ferocily made him great attraction. Ii
was not. thought that he would live
through the night. Jim's record ,foott
pin killed, one man and thirteen ami
mails and host of wounded. ,,pa