Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1878-06-19
A DEATH STRUGGLE.
Battle Bet,ceen Hyenas--The Ferocio,ts
Beasts Separated With the Greatest Dihi-
mil "
[St. Louis Republican, 18th.

st. Louis Republican, 18th
A desperate fight took place yesterday morn
ing in the carnivora house at the fair grounds
between two large hyenas, a struggle which
those who witnessed it say it was of a most
fierce aud relentless character
The Fair association had but recently pur-
chased striped female hyena. and, being short
of space, the trial was made of admitting in
the same cage spotted male hyena. The two
untamable animals at first seemed to agree
very we'll together, and got along very we'll for
over week. The keepers in charge became
confident that perfect harmony would exist be-
tween the creatures, yet for safety they were
during the night kept in separate cages
Yesterday morning, as usual, the animals
were placed together in one Of the outside ca
ges OF the carnivora house, and appeared on
the best terms possible. Hyenas are not much
given to endearment, and the two were not at
al! demonstratlve, but they seemed at least
friendly, and the keeper retired never dream
ing of trouble with the uncouth beasts. What
occurred subsequently to ruffle the temper of
the animals is not known, but within an hour
the battle SO long delayed was in full progress.
The residence OF Secretary Kalb is within the
fair grounds, not far from the east gate but at
some distance from the carnivora house. Mr..
Kalb was awake and about the house when
of the
MOST HIDEoUs SOUNDS
ever heard even at the Zoo-zoo, where strange
noises are by no means surprising. The sounds
were combination of growls, shrieks and
bowls absolutely appalling. and the secretary
recognizing the source at once, ran to the car
nivora house, where a keeper also hurried.
The sight which met them in the cage of the
hyenas was startling. The two animals were
engaged in death struggle, it was apparent
that what could be done to save one of them
must be done quickly to be of much
avail. The spotted animal had the
Jaws were closed together like q
wise upon the hind quarter Of the other. while
the latter, seeking in vain hold equally effec-
tive, was shrieking and growing horribly in it's
struggles MIR. Kalb seized heavy iron bar
and damned the end of it against the laws of
the spotted hyena with all the force Of which
he was capable. but the effort was without re-
suit. The brute chung to his bloody grip with
the tenacity and ferocity of bull dog. Then
the iron was used in another way, and the
spotted hyena pounded over the head. hut
though the beasts eyes blazed with rage and
the foam dropped from his mouth in great
flakes, he remained unmoved, his teeth still
meeting IN the flash of his striped antagonist.
The iron rod was useless. Then Mr.. Winner.
keeper of the carnivora house,
TOOK RISK.
He secured hickory club, an ugly wean,,n
pointed with a blunt iron fork, and used for
hurting into the cages the pieces Of flesh given
the animals for food, and, thus armed, passed
through the cage of the tigers and leopards.
and entered boldly into the one where the
two hyenas were engaged in the desperate
struggle. The spotted hyena had not released
the other, and the battle did not cease as the
man entered. He was an unim portant person.
age in the cage until, watching his opportuni-
ty, he delivered a terrific blow with his club
fairly upon the head of the spotted animal.
The brutes jaws relaxed little and another
blow loosened them entirely, stunning the
beast. The striped hyena escaped through the
open door into an adjoining cage, and the man
followed. The fight was at an end.
THE WOUNDS
he received by the striped hyena in the en-
encounter were examined and found to be Sc
rious. In the hind-quarter where the other had
retained his hold SO long were gaping holes
made by the long teeth, which were BLEEDING
freely. The bone of the right hind leo was
found also to be broken and the animal gener-
ally in a badly -demoralized condition. Mr..
Kalb promptly secured the services of DR.. Chas.
A. Todd, who has manifested deep interest in
the animals, and 1t was taken under considers
ton as to whether the better policy would be to
splinter the leg of the wounded hyena or to
amputate it in order to save the beasts life.
The spotted hyena, the stronger animal. was
not seriously hurt, though somewhat dazed
for a time from the heavy blows of the club.
Meeting of the Alumni of the Wisconsin
University.
Especial Telegram to the Globe.l
MADISON, Wis, June 18.-The annual meet
ing of the Alumni of Wisconsin university was
very largely attended at the Assembly Cham
Der tonight. s. s. Gregory, of Chicago, class
of seventy, delivered the annual address, the
subject being the Golden Age" It was an
address of rare merit. The poem, "a song of
the Plains ,, was delivered nv Mrs GI,r.