Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1880-10-07
FIGHTING WITH 4 EYEITA
A Man Locked in Cage, Attacked
and Fearfally Lacerated.
lWinchester (Va.) Times-1

Coups new united show gave
an exhibition at this placc. The
entire constellation arrived on
the morning of the 18th (Sun-
day., and the paraphernalia was
moved to the exhibition ground
in a quiet and orderly manner.
On the morning of the 18th
as is their custom-everything
was arranged for the. grand
street parade which always takes
place. The den of spotted by
enas was placed in position; and
Herr Drayton entered as usual
to take his position as master.
The instant he made his appear
ance the largest and most lero-
cions of the animals made a de-
termined stand and firmly re-
fused to retire to his accustom.
ed place. Drayton at once saw
that something was wrong, and
ordered the iron doors of the
cage which make separate apart
ments to be closed, and attemp-
ted to close them himself. Ga
briel, the Oldest male of the by
ena- family, seemed to fully un-
derstand the meaning of the
movement, and refused to obey
orders, and at once took a def
ant position. Charles Drayton,
better known as "Modern Her.
cules" or cannon ball performer,
a man of herculean strength and
iron will, the moment he saw the
rebellion inaugurated said to
the outside attendant: ''Here is
trouble; send for some iron
bars" The men Immediately
obeyed his orders, but before
they returned Gabriel made the
attack and the struggle was
something terrible TO witness.
The younger animals seemed
inclined 10 befriend their mas
ter, but Gabriel was determine
ell TO have his life. Drayton
had nothing but a cow-hide
whip, which he saw was of no
avail, and he grasped his terri
BILE antagonist by the throat and
threw him bodily to the floor of
the den. This for q moment
seemed to subdue the animal,
but for a moment only. Re
gaining his feet he waited, as it
appeared, to consider the situa-
tiUn, and with a determination
to die or conquer, made a des-
perate attack on his master.
Hyenas are known to be cow
ardly and treacherous, and arc
always found in large numbers,
but when enraged they know no
fear, when they close their terri
ble jaws on e victim it is almost
literally in The 'jaws of DEATH"
After Gabriel recovered from
the momentary surprise at the
strength of his master his rage
was uncomfortable. With a
bound he seized Drayton. Up
to this moment the other ami
mails had only taken a passing
interest in the struggle. But
at the sight Of blood their rage
knew no bounds, and they at
tackled each other, rolling and
leaping with lightning rapidity
over, under and around the man
and his antagonist, snarling,
bowling and tearing indiscrimi-
nately, adding greatly to Dray-
TOMS peril.
The terrible scene continued
in the presence of the terrified
spectators for fully two minutes,
Drayton, in the meantime, with
his naked hands, fighting with
the fcrocious animal which had
attacked him, and with wonder
ful presence of mind preventing
him from seizing a vital part or
pulling him to the floor. In the
meantime the attendants had
not been idle, and finally with
the aid of crowbars and pitch
forks succeeded in breaking the
hold Of the beast. Drayton had
fought his way 10 the door OF
the den, and the moment it was
opened fell into the arms of his
friends. No ordinary man could
have lived one minute in this
terrible position. No man with
out an iron viii, l,undauntcd cOur-
age, and herculean strength
could have left the cage alive.
The expression of Drayton's
face as he left his antagonist
was something never to be for
gotten. Blood was flowing in
streams from his wounds. Fear,
hope and determination were
in one cxpression-a
noble specimen of Gods noblest
work. Few men have passed
through such an ordeal and es-
capped with life. Mr.. Coup and
Manager Il. ID. Calvin immedi-
ately removed him TO the Hart
Hotel, where Drs. Holiday and
Williams were untiring in their
attentions. They express a be-
lief that no serious consequent
ces will occur.
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