Knoxville Whig and chronicle. [volume] (Knoxville, Tenn.) 1875-1882, 1875-12-22
MATINEE IN A MENAGERIE.
Hattie of the BEASTS.
a Performance notin the Prog rnmIne
From the Chattanooga Times.

n performance not In the Prog rnutne.
From the Chattanooga Times.
An exhibition not previously an
nOunced occurred early last Monday
morning near Meridian, Miss. The
earliness of the hour together with the
fact that no "advance agentn bad
blown his bugle, and the morning pa
pers contained no putfs, probably ex
plains why the audience was not
greater, as tickets of admission were
entirely free.
The train bearing John Rpbinson's
Show was approaching Meridian, the
original intention being that the teuts
should be pitched in that city, but au
accident to the train about two miles
from town, caused "a number OF the
cages to be pitched into the ditch.
There was at once grand entry in
to the arena, more exciting than that
which usually awakens the euthusi-
asm of our country cousins. The rhi-
nOcerOs made his appearance first, and
seemed to think lie was one of the
leading characters. AT least he refused
to be led, aud when one of the Keeper
attempted to use coercion, the situa
ton was made rather warmer for him.
and in order to escape from both horns
of the dilemma. he hastily climed "A
tree. The tree, however, b-iug dead,
proved deadfaiI 10 the Keeper who,
AS he descended, fell directly aslride of
the rhinoceros.
This happened just as the attention
of the rhiuocerOs was attracted 10y the
sight of the elephant, and bis deadly
enmity being aroused, he started to
meet his ancient foe, while the keeper
jumped from his back and ran in the
opposite direction. These animals,
however were kept apart 10y kind of
abattis, which had been formed by
fallen trees, and lay between them.
After good deal Of effort and dam
ger the rhlnoceros was lassoed by the
men, after considerable lodging be-
| hind trees.
a royal Bengal tlgress am"ng the
cane brakes of Alabama, suggested a
scene in the Jungles of India, but a
| desire to get up tiger hunt was not
very strongly manifested. Her cage
having been righted up council of
war was held. / is said that councils
of war never fight, and so it proved in
| this case, discretion being considered
| the better part of valOr. Strange to
say the tigress, without molesting any
one, took her cubs back to her cage.
This was probably because the locality
was strange to her
The performing elephants proved
uuruly and refused To be controlled
1t was finally determined 10 try the
effect of music. Accordingly "A mum
Der of the member, of the band hav-
ing gotten their instruments, com.
menced playing tue pieces usually
L., e.
arena. The people, who by this time
had collected in considerable number,
from the surrounding country, uatur.
ally formed in n ring, which made he
scene appear much like regular per.
formance. The result desired was al
length brought about, the elephant,
gradually giving themselves up To til,
control of their keepers. While al
tempting TO chain them together
however, one man was knocked down
and falling under the feet of the ele
plants, was stepped on, and was
crushed 10y the weight of this ponder
Gus animal so that lie afterwards died
The ostrich being regarded as III,
least dangerous, was the last to receive
attention. 1t had been moving arOunC
as though il was cock of the walk, an,
some Of the bystanders asserted 1t haC
picked up and swallowed severa
pieces of iron. 1t was not inclined t,
be shut up when an attempt was mad
for that purpose, but started off at
rapid rate, throwing stones with it
feet at its pursuerS a. it ran. 1t was
: however, at length correlled an,
Gagged.
Many other incidents occurred which
we have not space 10 describe. 1t i
thought the accident would dumag
Mr.. Robinson about $4,000. Mucl
nerve and judgment displayed b.
them.