Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-12-04
miscellaneous.
A Battle Of the Beasts.

4 Battle Of the Beasts.
TERRIFIC COMBAT BETWEEN LION AND
AN ELEPHANTINE TORMENTER.
The audience which witnessed the per-
Torrance at Grand Street Museum, OF
BROOKLYN, had scarcely left Wednesday
night than a scene occurred which, had it
been enacted upon the stage would have
caused the box-office to overflow with
ducats. The striking feature OF it was
desperate conflict between an enraged ele-
plant and an equally infuriated lion. and
the efforts of Keeper George Goodwin to
separate them. The elephant was former
" feature of Coup's circus. Two years
ago he killed keeper, and week later.
while in St. Louis, another was crushed to
death by him. The colossal beast was re-
Gently purchased by the proprietor of the
museum, and an enormous cage was pro-
vided to imprison him. Since his appear
ance a blackmaned lion has occupied a
den adjacent. The latter has frequently
been tormented by the rival of Jumbo,
and his tail has been twisted until he
roared with pain. Wednesday afternoon
the trick was repeated, and to avoid a
fight the elephant was removed to another
part of the building.
The performance had closed, and the
gas, with the exception of one Pickering
jet, had been extinguished. Trainer
George Goodwin was seated at window
upon the floor smoking. when he was
startled by the clanking OF chains below.
He hurried down stairs, and to his utter
establishment discovered that the elephant
had broken his letters and was having a
high old time all by himself. With his
massive trunk and tusks he was endeavor-
ing to batter down the bars OF the king of
beasts, while the latter was roaring and
lashing his tail with frenzy.
The hyena, tiger, catamount and Loop
ard mingled their hideous cries with those
of their brother. The parrots chartered,
the white mice squealed and the monkeys
shrieked. Keeper Goodwin found that the
elephantine tormentOr had met his match
this time. The named creature had fixed
his teeth in the trunk of his assailant and
was doing his level best to bite it in twain.
The believing of the huge beast as he en-
deavored to release himself was added to
the hideous uproar, and it is safe to say
disturbed the slumbers of inhabitants of
the Eastern District. Finally the lion be-
came fatigued and released his grip. No
sooner had he done so than his adversary,
quicker than flash of lightning. seized
his hind leg and pulled and hauled in a
desperate attempt to sever it from his
body. Though the keeper piled the iron
prong with all his might, the hold of the
elephant was none the less tenacious.
A number of attendants rushed to the
aid of Mr.. Goodwin, and belabored the
beast with crOwbars. clubs, and indeed
every piece of furniture which was with
in reach. Their efforts were unavailing.
Suddenly, however, the hugh beast re-
leased his grip, and, with trumpet blast
which could be heard blocks away, rushed
upon the keeper. Every one expected
to see him trampled to death, and his
companions, unable to rescue him, fled
in terror. By dexterous movement
Mr. Goodwin evaded the onslaught, leaped
upon the elephants back and again piled
the prong, each dig drawing streams of
blood which tickled down the beasts
limbs and settled in pools upon the floor
Suddenly the animal made another rush
for the lions cage. Again the conflict
waxed fierce and the scenes above por-
trayed were repeated. For a half hour
the battle continued. until finally the ele-
plant, bleeding and torn, was subdued,
aud became apparently tractable. He
was led back to his cage and
chained to the floor. The keep
err and his companions were about leaving
him, when with gigantic effort, the fet-
tiers were again snapped, as so much cord
and with powerful lunge the beast again
made for the lions cage. Again did the
courageous Goodwin apply the prong, but
this time not upon the back. By a quick
movement he succeeded in forcing it into
the beasts mouth and Ijabbed the hook in
to the tongue.
Believing with rage, the terror of the
Jungle seized the unfortunate keeper,
threw him beneath his feet and began to
trample upon him. The animal was so
much excited that his blows were not
true. After receiving one which only
partially stunned him, Mr.. Goodwin crept
away, and when out of the beasts reach
slipped nimbly to one side. He was none
too soon, for the animal, with lunge,
drove his tusks into the heavy planking.
where the keeper had been but moment
before. So tremendous was the blow
dealt that the ivory prongs were clear
through the woodwork and broke short
off. While attempting to release himself
the employees rushed upon him and
chained him to the floor, This time he
was indeed subdued animal. Horrible
cuts. from which blood poured in streams,
disfigured the head and trunk, and the
huge body was mass of wounds. The
lions hind legs are believed to be dislo-
Gated. He is unable to move, and his
face is scratched in most horrible man.
ner. Keeper Goodwin escaped with a
number of Commissions; but that be was not
trampled to death. is considered miracu-
lous. He is confined to his room, and will
not be able to resume his duties for sever
al days.
Manager Robert Bruce said yesterday,
that had not the lions cage been an ex-
ceptionally strong one, not only would
both animals have fought to the death,
but damage aggregating thousands of
dollars would have been suffered, Extra
precautions have been taken to prevent a
repetition of the battle. --NeD York World.