The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1880-11-04
PANIC M a WESTERN ToWN.
Liftle Roe (Ark. J Gc==cc:.te.


kittle Rock (4rk. Gc-c.te.
Last night Argenta witnessed, by the
flaring torchesg of seiscqs, canvasmen
the mort AhrllIiHg 3cehe; knowhs 10 the
history of3heE Stdtes Yesterday COOPER
G. Jackson's Circus and Menagerie exhib.
tied in e.rgenta, and last night, just after
the opening oftbe performance, the vio-
lent wind aud rain storm came up.
A cage containing large African lion
of the wind. "A torch, planted near The
cage, wnssthrust between the bars OF tffiy
cage. This frightened the animals, and
with terrible roars they shattered the
cage. Throwing bars here and there,
they bounded over the heads Of excited
people and ran away among the sand
gulches and tall w,eds. AT indescribablc
confusion followed. Children gathered
around their parents and srrieked, women
flew hither and thit,ser ind strong men,
in 5wildness Of fright rarely witnessed,
yelled and scattered. For moment no
one knew where to turn, but quivering
and frightened beyond the exercise OF
their presence of mind, all whirled in an
ENHANCEMENT Of human chaos. The lions
did not turn upon the crowd, but astoh.
shed ct such sudden freedom, sprane
away and Disappeared. The excited peo-
pie sought their homes and tho circus
men, half in fear and half in anxiety,
bearing torches, went aropad, peeringt
here and there, searching for the king and
queen Of beasts. Shortly after the can
vas had been taken down Mr.. George
B0dfish, clerk Of the Adams House, and
Mr.. Billy Winn, c0ntortionist of the cir
Gus, left the show grounds, en- route for
Judge Barna's hotel. Cropping their way
through the tall, wet weeds, stopping and
shuddering at every thought of meeting
the lions, they proceeded. Passing n
saloon dark object on the sidewall, at.
tracted The attention:of George Bodfish.
Billy" he exclaimed, "here are the
lions" "Are you snre ?" eyes, here
they are" he continued, little knowing
that lie epoko with such terrible truth.
Another step and he would have been
upon the lion. But that was not taken.
With o roar ihat Jared the dsops of wa
ter from the tall weeds tile lion sprang
up, and, followed bye lioness, turned
nIpon, the two men. B>dfsh sprang back.
The lions stood, with glaring eyes, xatch-
ing them, lashing the ground with their
tails. The circus man seized -hair
that had been left in front of the saloon
and held itkefo-e, him. sRodfsh s,epped
back, remnrking with GOODNESS that he
would open the door Of the saloon. This
he attempted, but failed. The place was
crowded with revelera, who upon the ap-
pearance the lions had closed the doors,
and in breathless fright awaited q seem.
ingly inevitable doom.
'"Oper the door," cired Bodfish, beating
against tho boards. No answer.
Let us in." No answer but tho loud
breathing and uneasy movements Of the
inmates
"Billy," said BodGsh. turning to his
companion, .'come on"
go on away" said Billy, who all This
time still holding out the chair and look.
ing the lions gteadfastly in the eyes. at
won't do to leave. II make move
they ..sin ;nA,s. On me.n The !:c::ss
crouchcd ready; for spring aud lashed
the ground with their tails.
'"Billy," said Bodfsh, II will 20 around
and open the side door, then we can both
make o dash.p He went TO she back |
door and implored entrance.
"The lions are not here" be- enid !;
open the door, we want to come In"
Some one. unbarred the door. Just |
then the lions made n spring at. Billy. |
nc llIeW UP tHS CnAlr, wheeled .lud, in
q manner he cabnot describe, reached the |
side door just rs Bodfish had entered. |
Remaining in the saloon few moments. |
they came cut aud joined in'the attempt |
10 capture tho beasts. The cage had
been patched up, ard sight of It and !
the torches had caus he lions to spring.
The animals. were finally found crouched |
near fence. The cage door was opened |
md the men stationed around with tor
ches. The lion walked peacefully into the |
cages but thesHoness became exsitei s..x
ran away. The men with the torches
scattered, aud by the time they were rail-
lied the lioness had sone. She went |
around md entered 9 lot surrounded By o |
picket fence. The cage way backed up |
against the pickets. near where the AMI.
NAL crouched. WiHn and Bodfish went |
cP and began tearing sway the pickets,
when. with alroar aud d spring, tho lion, |
ess, whose injuries sustained In loaping |
around.seemedt to have partially disabled |
her, ran toward the men With torches. |
The torehmen threw down their lights
and fled. About halfan hour afterwards
the lioness WasareeaptnTed!j The excite.
ment will never be forgotten in Argen-
ia.