Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-03-23

A KEEPERS STRUGGLE WITH PANTHER WHICH
HAD JUST TASTED BLOOD.
From the Augusta, (Ga) Chronicle and Sentinel

HAD JUST TASTED BLOOD.
From the Augusta. (Ga) Chronicle and sentinel
February 25th.
Yesterday, the feeding at the winter quar-
tiers of the circus and menagerie took place
about IL o'clock a. m, and as usual attracted
a number of spectators. The beef was dis
tributed to the animals by the assistant keep
er In going the rounds he finally reached
the case 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 on
the ground in front of the cage, the keeper
stuck his pitchfork into large piece OF meat
and pushed it between two of the bars. One
of the panthers instantly grasped the beef
with teeth and claws, and pulled with all his
might upon it. The piece was rather larger
than usual, or it got cross-wise the bars. The
panther pulled hard, growing fiercely the
while, and the meat gradually squeezed into
the cage. But the tremendous strain had
been too much for one of the bars. A spec
tator saw the bar suddenly start from its
socket at the bottom OF the cage and bend
inwards i'll such manner that the panther
could force Its way out. Look out, that
panther is about TO get out" The keeper,
however, who was busily engaged, did not
hear him, and in an instant almost the pan
ther had forced Its way out, jumped on the
ground beside the keeper, and grasped n
piece Of meat A wild scene of terror and
confusion Immediately ensued. Women and
children screamed and ran in every direction,
strong men turned pale and the animals in
the cage looked on III wonderment As soon
as the panther touched the ground the keep
er realized the situation, and with admirable
presence of mind and cool bravery threw
himself upon the back of the animal put his
hands around his throat and endeavored to
choke 1t into subleciIon. But tine terocious
beast was not to be so easily subdued. Turn
ing over 1t engaged i'll fierce tussel with
the man. By liberal use Of teeth and claws
it finally compelled the keeper to release ii,
and 1T then started for the opposite side Of
the shed. The keeper, who had sprung to
his feet, followed quickly and grasped the
animal 10y the tail before it had proceeded
many steps The panther, surprised by his
novel method of attack, dashed through the
shrinking crowd of people i'll the inclosure,
scattering them right and left. The keeper
held on manfuly to the beasts caudal np-
pendage, notwithstanding its struggles to
! get loose, until 1t ran under II wagon when
he WAS compelled to let go. Almost imme-
diately, however, the animal came out again
and WAS once more tackled by the keeper
A second time the panther rushed through
the crowd, making no attempt to molest any
one, being too closely pressed by the keeper
who chung to his tail with firm griI. 1his
| time the panther nan out INTO the yard next
to Ellis street, III rear OF the shed where the
cages are kept, dragging'the keeper over the
ground after it. The now furious beast pro-
ceeded rapidly to the end of the yard and
| tried to climb tree close to the brick wall
| In this attempt, however, it was foied by the
keeper. who held on tenaclously to It's tail.
| by this time the keeper of the elephants and
the chief keeper of the animals, who had
been endeavoring to capture the truant man
aged to get rope around its neck and thus
choke it INTO subjectlon. 1t was then drag
ged to the cage, which was quickly made Sc
cure after the panthers escape, and prepara-
tions made to restore it to its old home. The
other four panthers. after persistent efforts
| by the attendants, III the way OF beating and
| punching, were made to 90 INTO the end OF
the cage tnrrhest from the door They were
then harricaded ut that end by placing boards
through the bars. This done, the door was
opened and the captured panther thrust into
the cnge. After it WAS put III 1t resisted far
some time all efforts to remove the ropes
which Lound it. and it was not until it was
choked nearly to death that this could be ne
complished