The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-06-17

moro treacherous than lions Tho majority NJ
the lion-tamers who have hnecn killed in dens
were drunk ut the time, But not all Of them.
O'Br ms circus in 1874. Hc went into den
ind caught lion by the nose. and attempted
the novel feat OF tossing the animal about. Joe
was terribly manglcd, and we all sOrrOwed over
his death.
ON July Of last year was performing in
feeding the animals. Old Parker had a habit 81
resting on his stomach AMI putting his claws
out Of tbs cage. Charley WILSON,, my assistant,
he did not 60. suddenly Odd Parker renchcd
Tor him and tore the top OF his head on |
turn,d ana hit nir in the right side. My other
nssistnn' used s'rupcrs In ii1hting him back.
the back with u bar Of iron. A Old Parker
turn.d ! jumped out Of the den; Chnrley VII
son died soon anerwurh. Old Parker KILLED a
The old lion and the younger ones got loose
from their cage. and the man VINO ds,ovcr'd
them. instcnd NJ calling the Keeper. undertook
himself to drive the animals back. Ola Parker
iiuish"d him in short m.trc.
Pr s"n', OF mind IL the most essential thing
for a lion tanner. White | was iceding the ant
mails once, and was sitting on q stool in the den.
WINS amazed herus,, Oli Parker lalily
crouchcd on the floor. ! kicked backward nt
him, and he fastened his inws on the cnll of my
leg. II had moved muscle he would have
crushed the leg; A. II was. he soon relaxed his
hold. ana made no fuss about IT, having gone
right on feeding the other lions all the time.
TINS cut on my throat RECEIVED III II den in
iIf'n'li = circus IN tllfHgo
Lawson added that the young lions born In
this country are, M a rule. sadly neglected. He
wns ut the birth Of the live in HOwc- Cush-
ing's circus. In this city. Inst year Tint WIS
the first time in this country he snys. thHt a
man ever remained in a den at such u time
The cubs were handed from the den by Law
son. He took thcm 10 his room in a hotel and
nurscd them with milk from the bottle. They
were ns tenderly cared for rs though they had
been human babies II they had been left in
the den the lionesses mixht have destroyed
them. AT amy rate, the usual performance OF
the lions would have been ruined II the cubs
had been permitted 20 live in the den. Cubs are
fcd on milk for about seven months Then they
four months
" 1t isn't the report 81 pistol" Lawson con-
tinued. that frightens n lion. IL Is the little
grains of powder and salt that nip him on the
him, in the den. The smoke obscur.s ev-
erythng for a minute. but the tanner must
he ready to use his whip when the
smoke clears away. Ii seems strange to me
mals-plenty OF them-and competent men to
take cure OF them The in rease of tn" animals
should be made n specially. AZ II is now, the
importers and shcwmcn have a soft thing on
the park. They keep up the reputation Of the
Ilnrc. and at the same time got their AMI mails
taken cnre Of without expense; that H. "a show
comes 70 the city for Il r"st and the Snowman.
instead of boarding his animals, sends them 10
the park whore they are led and housed Mt the
cty's expense. New York ought to be- ahcnd Of
PhilalrlphA, Cincinnati, Chicago. and ~. Louis
IN It's Geological Garden. but IL INIT. In Phila-
dolphin an applicant for position in the gar-
stnnds the care OF animsls. Here, il seems, the
only thing required Is political influence. Lion
tanners used to receive rom 500 - $40 week.
Now they are offered s2s or $50 week. rs
miserable pay rs that. for one. am not; but
| miss the society OF my lions.