The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-03-19
scene In n NcsiaSerie.

Scene In n NcnaEerie.
4 KEEPERS STRUGGLE WITH A PANTHER
WHICH HAD JUST TASTED BLOOD.
The Augusta (Ga.) Chronicle and Sentinel
supplies this: ........t'
Yesterday the feeding at the winter
quarters of the circus and mcnageries took
place about II o'clock A. NJ, and rs usual
attracted number OF spectators. The beef
was distributed TO the animals by the assist
ant keeper. In going the rounds he finally
reached the cage OF the Texas pantherS.
Apparently ravenous with hunger, these
fierce creatures jumped wildly from side to
side OF the cage. which shook fearfully
under the tremendous bounds. Placing
the tray with the meat OH the ground in
front OF the cage, the keeper stuck his pitch
fork into a large piece Of meat and pushed
il between two OF the bars. One OF the
pauthers instantly graspcd the beef With
teeth and claws. and pulled with all bis
might upon it. The piece was rather larger
than usual, or it got crosSwlSc the bars.
The panther pulled hard, growing ticrcely
the while, and the meat gradually squeezed
into the cage. But the tremendous strain
bad been too much for one OF the bars. y
spectator saw the bar suddenly start from
lis socket 1T the bottom Of the cage and bend
could force its way out. In moment he
called TO the keeper, :. Look out, that pan
Their is about to get out" The keeper,
howcvcr, who was busily engaged, did not
lear him, and in an instant almost the
panther had forced its way out, jumped
on the ground beside the keeper, and grasp
ed piece OF meat. \ wild scene OF terror
and confusion immediately ensued. Women
and children screamed and ran in every
direction, strong tnen turned pale, and the
animals in the cage looked on in wonder
mcnt As soon rs the panther touched the
ground the keeper realized the situation,
and with admirable presence OF mind and
cool bravery threw himself upon the back
Of the animal, put his hands around its
throat, and endeavored to choke il into sub
lection. But the ierocious least was not to
be SO easily subdued. Turning over, it en-
gagged in fierce tusslc with the man. BY
y liberal use Of teeth and claws it finally
compelled the keeper to release it, and it
then started for the opposite side Of the
she'd. The keeper. who had sprung to his
feet. followed quickly, and grasped the ami
NAL by the tail before it had proceeded many
steps. The panther, surprised by this novel
method OF attack, dashed through the
shrinking crowd OF people in the enclosure,
scattering them right and left. The keeper
held on manfully to the beasts caudai
eppendagc, notwithstanding its struggles to
get loose, until it ran under Il wagon, when
he was compelled to let so. Almost lnl-
mediately, however, the animal came out
again, and was once more tackled by the
keeper. \ second time the panther rushed
through the crowd. making no attempt to
modest any one, being too closely pressed by
the keeper, who clung to his tail with firm
grip. This time the panther ran out into
the yard next to Ellis street, in rear Of the
shed where the cages are kept, dragging the
keeper over the ground after 1t. The now
furious beast proceeded rapidly to the end
OF the yard, and tried to climb tree close
to the brick wall. In this attempt, however,
il was foiled by the keeper, who held on
tenaciousiy to its tail. By this time the
keeper OF the elephants and chief keeper OF
the animals, who had been endeavoring to
capture the truant, managed to get q rope
around its neck, and thus choked it into
subsection. 1t was then dragged to the
clge, which was quickly made secure after
the panther's escape, and preparations made
to restore it to its old home. The other
four panthers, afterpersistent efforts by the
attendants in the way of beating and punch
ing, were made to 90 into the end OF the
cage farthest from the door. They were
then barricadcd at the end by placing boards
through the bars. This done, the door was
opened and the captured panther thrust
into the cage. After it was put in it resist
ed for some time all efforts to remove the
ropes which bound it, and it was not until
il was choked nearly to death that this could
be accomplished.
When the preacher called TO retain the
lawyer, Mr., Eyarts without hesitation re-
piled: ~ cannot be OF any use to you, Mr.
Beechcr. | have never taken part in j case
OF this character, and could not do it IN,
less I were perfectly certain Of your limo
ccnce." At these words DIR. Beecher rose
and in his ilnpulslYe way brought bis hand
down on the lawyers shoulders as ii itwere
Plymouth desk. " You are just the man I
want" said he. The next morning began
memorable meeting between the emotional.
electric preacher and the coel, balanced,
logical lawyer. At the end Of two hours
Dir. Eyarts said, II am satisfied Of your
Innocence, Mr.. Beccher. will take the
case."-Chicago Tribune" -
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