Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-11-05

Alta Seaside Aquarium, at Cony island last
summer Their. was on exhibition O. South
Amer ican ant bra'. II il a peculiar animal,
standing about four feet high, has long
bu.hv tai used IL blanket when the animal
is asleep and snout shaped like an cle plants
trunk into which It gathers ants by the aid Of
loHg narrow tongue upon which is aecrtteI
a gluinous saliva IL has no teeth but has
claws upon lt4 ( r. feet, about three inches
long. hich it uses TO tear up the ant hills and
also rs a means Of defence. This ant eater
was exceedingly Wild and would CLAW at every
one who came near its cage. 1t was confined
in cage covered with two thickness of extra
heavy wire and M n further prccautinn, a
sign was fastened to he cage bearing the
inscription "ilands OIL "
Edward w Howe had charge OF all the an.
imAls al the Aquarium and had become 50
familiar with their habits that he had no fear
and handled them all as il they were kittens.
lie had been warned by his employer to look
out for the ant bear, As il was treacherous
and liable ~ any moment TO sink its claws
into his hand. lie paid no aueation to the
repeated warnings, and continued to fpndle
the bear. which seemed to have taken IA fiuCy
to him. no one else about the place could 90
near ii without being clawed At On Sea
TENDER - the bear was particularly ugly, So
Hutn so kIAl tlbNt lTitN u pass ils lbph
through an opening between the wire and the
floor Of the cage, instead of through the door.
The pan holding the bears breakfast consisting
of meat. eggs and carrots, was too large to pass
under the wire and Howe carelessly 0peled
the cage door aud placed the pan inside. The
bear struck Mt his head vcously with t4 paw
and the claws sunk deeply into ilowe's right
hand. lie drew il back quickly but consider
able flesh was torn away. Those who were
about the place were greatly alarmed, ~ it
was believed that the scratch of the aat-bear
is poisonous and death Is sure to follow it.
Howe however, treated the matter lightly
and laughed at the fears of his friends
About week after the scratch iowe's
hand began to swell, and the swelling gradu-
ally extended till 1t affected the entire arm.
and the muscles upon the right side of his
body. He still scptied at the idea that he had
been poisoned. but left Coney Island and
came to his home in this city. Small red
spots began to appear upon his body and a
raging fever set in Tie lost his appetite entirely
and became greatly exhausted. He manifested
symptoms of delirlum, aud his friends becom-
ing alarmed removed him tn Bellevue Hos
piial on October II. where he was assigned to
the Ervsipelas Pavilion All that medical
skill could suggest has been done for him.
but he has steadily declined since his
admittance TO Bellevue. He has not been
able 70 take solid food, and only small
quantity of liquid, and has been growing
weaker every day. Last week he was
delrious
Howe lies upon his back with wild stare
upon his face, and keeps up long dismal
moan He has no knowledge OF what is
passing On around him, and rarely moves any
part Of his body The red spots have LEFT his
body, but a few remain on his face. His flesh
is exceedingly hot tn the touch, and there
seems 10 be an inward heat that il slowly
sapping hts vitality The attending physician
has given up all hope ot saving him, and his
death is expected at any time Tribune.