Daily Republican., 1889-04-19
BRUTAL SPORT.

Some OF the New York papers on Mona
day contained glowing accounts OF tn
terrible conflict between an euraged tiger
and Il black bear at the Grand street
museum, which ended in the death Of the
bear. The reports further stated that the
battle was n totally unexpected feature
OF the evenings work at the museum
while some of the attaches were at work
removing the animals in shifting boxes,
preparatory to sending them to the Fore
paugh show in Philadelphia.
The fight was premeditated bloody
slaughter, with The bear for victim.
Press Agent O'Neill last Wednesday
evening notified a number Of reporters
that ON Sunday evening at 10 O'Clock
there would be afforded TO 4 select few at
the museum such sight of blood aud
slaughter as had seldom If ever delighted
the audiences In the Coliseum at Rome.
The reporters found VIM. Patterson In
charge of the various animals kept in the
museum. Among these were deus OF
leopards, hyenas, wolves and a solitary
old harmless black bear, so tame and
gentle that he was a pet with all the
little folks who visited the place.
His teeth had long since dropped out,
and his claws, tie only weapons nature
had given him for defense, had become
worn short and smooth from long con-
inemcnt in iron-barred cages. He was
quartvred on the top floor OF building
in one-half OF double den. In tue other
half Of this domicile dwelt a halt-gtown
coyote, also very tame, aud great pet
with the children.
The keeper led poor old Tommy out of
his cage Ike ret dog. Tommy licked
his keepers hands, expecting some sugar
or sweetmeats, as he had been taught to
look for. He was led down stairs as gen
tie and doclle as child, and was halted
in front of the tigers den. The keeper
made an effort to drag him In front OF The
big cat aud within resch OF bis terrible
claws, but the instinct of the bear caused
him TO hold back With ell bis declining
strength.
In trying to get him clCse enough To
the bars for the tiger to rip him open with
his claws, Patterson came thin range
and was struck quicker than ghtning.
His clothing was tor0, but he leaped out
of harm's way before any serious damage
was inflicted. 1t seemed sort Of retrl-
button upon MIN that he WAS the first to
feel those sharp claws.
When he LEANED that he couldn't get
the bear up to the bars he called for a
rope. One was brought, and loose was
slipped over the bears head. The line
was passed through ring ut the top OF
the tigers cage, end then dozen strong
arms pulled 1t taut.
Poor old Tommy whined piteOusly as
he realized the horrible late in store for
him and fought desperately for his life.
The men pulled upon the rope hatder
and harder Poor Tommy's head fell
over 10 one side, his eyes started from
their sockets, but still the pres ure on
that cruel rope increased. Tommy's
tongue hung odt and his eyes were now
sightless. Another pull On the rope and
his troubles were ended.
The tigers claws and fangs sank
deeply into his throat, and he tore his
throat aud head into shreds while the
rope held him immovably fixed to the
bars. 1t only lasted few seconds and
all was over. Tommy had served his
masters last purpose, aud had given up
his life for the qualification of the heart
lees men who witnessed his death.
The tiger licked his bloody chops and
looked wistfully at the ca cass OF the
bear and lay on the floor in q pool oil
blood in front OF his den.
Not satisfied with the slaughter OF the
bear, Animal Trainer Patterson put the
Wild little coyote IN the den OF ferocious
leopard. and In about two seconds the
little animal was stretched dead on the
floor OF the cage, and the ferocious appe-
title of both man and beat seemed salts
fled.
The brutal exhibition has been brought
to the attention of tho Society for tie
Prevention OF Cruelty to Animals, and it
is expected arrests will be made at once.