Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1886-05-01
SOME LION AND TIGER STORIES.
Good Reading for the Boys of the
Household.

Herr Driesbach's life was full OF re-
,,,or,;allo incidents and he frequently
took pleasure in relating events. Of
hia life. The following Is In his own
words g.,
II was exhibiting IN the city Of Balti-
more. We were playing piece in
which one of my tigers was TO sud
denly leap from above me. as II 10
kill me. After it would jump on me
we would roll around on the floor,
to all appearances engaged in mortal
combat.
The theatre in which VIC were play.
ing had a large pit, and it was filed
almost to suffucation that evening with
boys and men. This timo the tiger
Jumped over my head and was flying
for tho pit when l caught him by the
tail and hauled him back.
Il needn't tell you that standing room
was made mighty quick In thut 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 tho old Bowcry Theatre in New
York City, his piece was followed by an
exhibition Of lions by their trainer,
Herr Dricsbach.
During their stay there Forrest re-
marked one day that he had never ex-
pcricnced the emotion caused by fr ght
that he was never scared In his life.
Dricsbach heard the remark and one
evening took Forrest home with him.
they entered house and after pass
ing through long and devious dark
passages, Dricsbach opened door and
said:
This way, Mr.. Forrest"
AS Forrest entered the door was
slammed behind him. Forrest felt
something touch his leg IN the dark
ness and reaching down his hand
touched what he thought was cats
back, wh ch he gently strOked. A
rasping growl greeted the motion and he
saw two fiery cyeballs glarlng at him.
Are you afraid Mr.. Fovrest?" asked
the lion-tamer, who was invisible in the
darkness.
Forrest replied, mot a b.t," when
the lon-tamer said something and the
growl decpened and the back began to
arch. Forrest held out for u few minutes,
! when he exclaimed:
| Now let me out, you scoundrcl,
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 leg.
Forrest finally promised champagne
supper il Driesbach would let him out,
which was done and the bet was imme-
diatcly paid
The lion King was & some extent q
practical joker.
On one occasion when he was exhib-
iting in New York, he had entered q
den OF animals, and was going through
the customary performance one Satur-
day night when he was suddenly
= stretched on his back and large
Brazilian tiger was on his throat and
the other animals were wildly dashing
about the cage.
Driesbach's voice WIS heard calling
for aid in hoarSos Iuinner. The au'
diencc became excited and women
1hricked Several kcei crs ran to the
PROSTATE lion-tamcrs aid, and he was
ragged from the cage.
He came from behind the cage with
his face and tights covered with crimson
liquid like blood. He was hastily takcl
upstairs where q physician, who was
conveniently near, examined him ant
said that although seriously injure
the lio.:-tnmer would live.
= The noxt day DrieSbach appeared {
the streets with his face covered wit
strips of court plaster and his arm in
sling. His friond G'aro greatly excite
over his escape, lat their sympatl
turne to disgust when they learned tn
tho sore on the lion-tamcr's face hi
heen squeezed from sponge filed wi
rose pink, and that the affair was ,
advertising dodge arranged by the ma
q ,cmeut OF the menagerie.
While travelling along the Ohio Riv
one season Herr Driesbach was want
in Cincinnati to give an exhibition
tho old Woods Theatre.
He vas showing in GAINESVILLE VIII
q he received flattoring offer by tel
graph and no accepted. Hastily cagi
tiger in an ordinary store box he p,
ceedcd to the Ohio River and start
for C.ncinna by boat.
He registered himself as Herr Drit
bach and the tigerfas Colonel Ale
ander."
No one save the captain Of tho be
knew who Colonel Alexander" W;
although he was assigned to Driesbacl
room in the boat.
After the boat put off, the passenge
became Jolly from frequent centre she
on black bottle 1t was decided
visit DriNsbach's room and asccrta
if he had anything good. The lie
tanner asscnted, and taking his co
panionS thithcr opened the door
chem. A bottle was found and Dri
bach excused himself to get u pitci
. of water
The tiger was not visible when
crowd entered the room, having crawl
under bunk to which he was chain
In. as his tanner had removed him FRI
in the store box.
lie Prcsoutlv those inside the room hea
nr. a scratching and growing and Colo
Of Alexander emerged .:om under
he, bunk and prepared to leap. The GRO
Is rushed headlong for tho door, thlou
res which they scrambled in their hurry
NE leave the room.
"' Dricsbach met them outside q
laughed heart ly at their fright, q
per TAXI & the tigers chain led him arol
a.. az the loaf for passengers to fondlc.
ate