The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-02-26
A LOOSE. LIONESs.
The Racket Caused in a Cleveland MENACE
rie by Escaped Lioness.

rie by an Escaped LiOness.
Cleveland Leader, Saturday
In the midst of a row of wooden buildings
not far from the square, a strip of canvass
across the front of one of them announces in
staring letters that menagerie of rare wild
animals can be seen upon the inside for an
admission fee of ten cents. The menagere
consists OF one Asatic and two African lions,
four snarlings hyenas, young black bear,
and cage of monkeys; these, with a peep
show along one side of the room, constitute
the show. The lions are really fine speci-
mems, belonging to billiards circus, and are
here in charge of Mr.. Garvey, who has
handled them for years. Usually they are
remarkably dociie, and will allow the keeper
to pat or rub them, and will exhibit signs of
satisfaction when they are so noticed. The
iioness, occupying a cage by herself, is about
to become mother. and for several days past
she has been surly, allowing no one to
come near the bars of the cage. Yes
terday while Mr.. Garvey was ex-
planning to an admirng crowd the
habits and peculiarities of the animals, the
female. with a blood-curdling roar, flung
herself against the end of her cage, and
sprung the heavy pla5nks so badly that with
another jump she went crashing through.
The two male lions, confined in an adjoining
cage, set up on unearthly roaring the mon
keys chartered wildly, as if in fear for their
lives, and huddled close in a corner of their
cage, while the bear and hyenas jumped eX-
citediy about. Two young ladies who were
in the room were hurriedly hustled to the
sidewalk by their escorts, and the four or
fve gentlemen present made their exit
with more haste than grace. Charley
Motry, the Ontario street barber,
being Of the opinion that he could not navi-
gate fast enough to get out of the room, ran
race with the Siberian ape, climbing the iron
bars to the top of a cage. George, his part
ner, with one or two Others took refuge be-
hind the cage in which the hyenas are con-
fined Meanwhile the lioness, having gained
her freedom, seemed at loss to what to
do. She stood lashing her tail as though
contemplating what first to attack. Mr.
Garvey, the keeper, showed rare presence
of mind at this time; Selling a round iron
poker, one end of which was in the stove
and red-hot, he approached the beast and
drew tne iron through her mouth. She
crouched down on the floor in seeming ter
ror, and he had no trouble in opening the
door and whipping her back in the cage into
which she sprang glad to get away from so
severe punishment. Mechanics were sent for
and the cages have been made perfectly safe.
To reporter, Mr.. Garvey stated that he was
not in the least fearful that the lioness
would injure anyone as he knew from pre-
vious experience that as soon as she would
alight on the floor she would be dazed for
several minutes. and he could easily secure
her. 'Motry and the others who were in hid
ing came to the front with features express
sive of thankfulness that they had escaped
with their lives. Motry says he can never
forget the Siberian ape that gave him the
idea of climbing.