The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-12
AN ELEPHANT KILLS A LION.
Terrific Fight In Which the s.King of Beasts
Is Laid Low

Philadelphia Press.
A terrific fight between the large elephant
Bolivar and untamed Nuban lion named
Pr1nce occurred at the winter quarters of cir
Gus, at Lehlgh avenue and Edgemont street
Monday afternoon, which resulted in the death
of the latter.
The hon only arrived from abroad few weeks
ago. and was worth 81, 000 He was nlaced in an
unusually strong cage in the animal house. and
the training began. The beast was too ferocious
in disposition to permit of the entrance of the
trainer into the until it had been sufficient
ly subdued with the prod and lash
On Monday, however, the trainer unlocked the
door for the first time and entered For n few
minutes all vent we'll At last he struck tn,
lion with his whip and the enraged beast raiseG
his powerful paw and and struck at him The
man jumped aside and perhaps ESCAPED disem.
bowelment, but sustained fearful laceration OF
the thigh and leg. Then the lion prepared to
spring at him. and the trainer jumped backward
with such force as to break the bars of the cage
from their fastenings. He fell backward on the
ground and for a moment was stunned. This
proved 70 be fortunate accident, for the lion
bounded through the open cage door, and
alshting considerable distance beyond wher
the man lay, did not turn back, but rushed out
of the building.
He pursued his way through the ring barn and
entered the open door of the elephant house.
Bolivar stood nodding where he was chained to
stake near the door, Prince hesitated for
moment an then lay back on his launches.
He crept slowly forward until he was within
reach of the elephant Then he raised his paw
and struck at the supine trunk. The tough Skin
was somewhat torn and the pachyderm became
instantly fully awake, and, raising his trunk
made blow at the lion; but the latter escaped
it by springing backward
Prince croucned again and prepared to spring.
Quick as lightning flash was the movement
which landed him on the elephants head But
he had to deal with a power greater than his
own. over which his only advantage was his
agility Bolivar easily shook him off and tossed
him to some distance.
The contest was quickly decided. The lion
prepared for another spring He lay back on
his launches, and with ears fiattened against his
head and eyes cleaning like balls of fire, crept
forward stealthily, cautiously measuring his dis
lance. With a suppressed growl the 1.-the tawny
form shot through the air. The elephants trunk
was then turned over his back, and his little
black eyes were swapping viciously. With
motion so quick as to be almost imperceptibe
the proboscis was lowered and elevated twice
and then came down with terrific force striking
the lion as he was in midair, and he fell to the
ground somewhat stunned Before he could re-
cover, the elephant dealt HIM terrific blow in
the side, and reaching forward the full length of
his chain he drew the lion toward him, and lift
ing his free foot he leaned his whole weight on
his fallen foe. The effect was to crush in the
ribs of the conquered monarch of the forest. In
this manner he trampled ell over the lion unti
life was gone Even then he did not cease bui
continued to trample the body until it was
crushed almost to a jelly Then he raised it
with his trunk and tossed it to the other side of
the stable.
Bolivar sustained no serious injury except,
slight confusion on the head and on the trunk.