The Osceola times., 1881-01-08
FIGHTING WITH A HYENA.
A Man Locked In n Cage, Attacked an"
EearfuIIy Lacerated.
WINCHESTER CYa.l Time.


Winchester (Va) Times.
Monday, August 10, W. I. Coups new
united show gave exhibition at TINS
place. The entire constellation arrived
on the morning of the 18th Sunday,
and the paraphenalia was removed 10
the exhibition grounds in quiet and
orderly manner. On the morning oi the
l6th-as is their custom-everythlng
was arranged for the grand free street
parade which always takes place. Inc
len of spotted byenas was placed III po-
sition. and Herr Drayton entered as usu-
al to take his position as master. Inc
instant he made his appearance the
largest and most ferocious of the animals
made determined stand and refused to
retire TO his accustomed place. Drayton
at once saw that something was wrong,
and ordered the iron doors Of the cage
which make separate apartments 10 DC
closed, and attempted to c.ose theni h,ill-
self. Gabriel, the oldest male OF the ny,
ena family, seemed to fully understand
the meaning of the movement, and re-
fused to obey orders, and at once TOOK
defiant position. Charles Drayton, bet
ter known as Modern Hercules or can
non ball performer, man OF herculean
strength and iron will, the instant he
saw there was a 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 some
thing terrible TO witness.
The young animals seemed inclined to
befriend their master, but Gabriel was
determened to have his life. Drayton
| had nothing but common cow-hide
whip, which he saw was OF no avail, ana
he grasped his terrible antagonist by
the throat and threw him bodily to the
floor of the den. This tor a moment
semed to subdue the animal, but tor a
moment only. Regaining his feet hc
waited, as it appeared, to consider the
| situation. and with a determination To
die or conquer, made desperate
attack on his master. Hyenas are
| known to be cowardly and tree cherous,
and are always found in large numbers,
but when enraged they know no fear,
when they close their terrible jaws on
| their victim it is almost literally in the
claws of death" After Gabriel recover
| ed from the momentary surprise at the
strength of his master his rage was un-
controllable. With a bound he seized
Drayton. Up to this moment the other
animals had only taken passive inter-
est in the struggle. But at the sight of
blood their RAGE knew no bounds, and
they attacked each other, rolling and
leaping with lightning rapidity, over,
under, and around the man and his an
taronist, snarling bowling and tearing
indiscriminately,a adding greatly TO Dray-
tons peril.
The terrible scene continued in the
presence OF the terrified spectators for
| fully two minutes, Drayton in the mean
time. with his naked hands, fighting
with the ferocious animals which had
attacked him, and with wonderful
strength and presence of mind prevent
| ing him from seizing a vital part or pull
| ing him to the floor. In the meantime
the attendants had not been idle, and
| finally, with the aid of crowbars and
pitchiorks, succeeded in breaking the
| hold of the beast Drayton had fought
| his way to the door of the den, and the
instant il was opened fell into the arms
| of his friends. No ordinary man would
| have lived one minute in this terrible
position. No man without an iron viii,
undaunted courage, and herculean
strength could have left the cage alive.
The expression of Drayton's face as he
antagonist was something never to be
forgotten. Blood was flowing in streams
from his wounds. Fear, hope and de-
termination we're mingled in one ex-
pression-a noble specimen of Gods
noblest work. Few men have passed
through such an ordeal and escaped with
life. Mr.. Coup and Manager f. u. Calvin
Immediately removed him to the Hart
Hotel, where Drs. Holiday and Williams
wereslntircing IN their attentions. They
express belief that no serious conse-
| quences will occur