New Ulm weekly review., 1886-03-17
Some Lion and Tiger Stories.

Herr Driesbach's, life was full of re-
markable incidents and he frequ ntly
took pleasure in relating events OF his
life. The following is in, his own words:
II was exhibiting in the City OF Bal
timore. We we're playing piece in
which one OF my tigers was to sudden
~ leap from above upon me, as if to
kill me. After it would jump on to
me we would roll around on the floor,
to all appearances engaged in mortal
combat The theatre IN which we
were playing had a large pit, and it
was filled almost to suffocation that
evening with boys and men. This
time the tiger jumped over my head
and was flying for the pit when I
caught him by thetail and hauled him
back. needn't tell you that stand
ing room was made mighty quick in
that pit when they saw the animal
coming. They rushed out pell-mell,
yelling and screaming for me to hold
on to him.
When Edwin Forrest was playing
at the old Bowery Theatre in New
York City, his piece was followed by
an exhibition Of lions by their trainer,
Herr Driesbach. During their stay
there Forrest remarked one day that
he had never experienced the emotion
caused by fright-that he was never
scared in his life. Driesbach heard the
remark and one evening took Forrest
home with him. They entered house
and after passing through long and
devious dark passages, Driesbach
opened a door and said. "This way,
Mr.. Forrest" AS Forrest entered the
door was slammed behind him. For
rest felt something touch his leg in the
darkness and reaching down his hand
touched what he thought was cats
back, which he gently stroked. A
rasplng growl greeted the motion and
he saw two frey eyeballs glaring at
him. care you afraid, Mr.. Forrest?"
asked the lion-trainer, who was invis-
pble in the darkness. Forrest replied,
'Not a bit, when the lion tanner
said something and the growl deepen
ed and the back began to arch. For
rest held out for a few minutes, when
he exclaimed: ''Now let me out, you
Internal scoundrel, or I'll break every
bone in your body" The Lion King
kept him there and he did not dare to
move a finger, while the lion kept
rubbing against his legs. Forrest
finally promised champagne supper
ii Driesbach would let him out, which
was done and the bet was Immediate
ly paid.
The Lion King was to some extent
81 practical joker. On one occasion
when he was exhibiting in Broadway,
New York, he had entered den of am
mails, and was going through the GUS
tomary performance one Saturday
night when he was suddenly stretched
upon his back and a large Brazilian
tiger was on his throat and the other
animals were wildly dashing about
the cage. Driesbach's voice was
heard calling for aid in hoarse man
ner. The audience became excited
and women shrieked. Several keepers
ran to the prostrate lion-tamer's aid
and lie was dragged from the cage. He
came from behind the cage with his
face and tights covered with crimson,
liquid like blood. He was hastily
taken upstairs where a physician,
who was conveniently near, examined
him and said that although seriously
injured, the lion-tamer would live.
next day Driesbach appeared on the
streets with his face covered with
strips OF court plaster and his arm in
a sling. His friends were greatly ex-
cited over his escape, but their sympa-
thy turned to disgust when they
learned that the gore on the lion
tanners face had been squeezed from a
sponge filled with rose pink, and that
the affair was an advertising dodge
arranged by the management OF the
menagerie.
While travelling along the Ohio River
one season Herr Driesbach was want
ed in Cincinnati to give an exhibition
at the old Woods Theatre. He was
showing in GAINESVILLE when he received
a fattering offer by telegraph, and he
accepted. Hastily caginga tiger in an
ordinary store box he proceeded to
the Ohio River and started for Cincin-
natl by boat. He registered as Herr
Driesbach and the tiger as Colonel
Alexander" No one save the captain
Of the boat knew who "Colonel Alex
ander' was, although he was assigned
to Driesbach's room in the boat.
After the boat put off, the passengers
became jolly from frequent centre
shots on a black bottle. 1t was de-
cided to visit Driesbach's room and
ascertain if he had anythinggood. The
lion tanner assented, and taking his
companions thither opened the door
for them. A bottle was found and
Driesbach, excused himself to get a
pitcher Of water. The tiger was not
visible when the crowd entered the
room, having crawled under q bunk
to which he was chained, as his tanner
had removed him from the store box.
Presently those insidethe room heard
a scratching and growing and "Col-
onel Alexander" emerged from under
the bunk and prepared to leap. The
crowd rushed headlong for the door
through which they scrambled in
their hurry to leave the room. Dries
bach met them outside and laughed
heartily at their fright and taking the
tigers chain led him around the boat