The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1890-10-12
Death of "a white Lion.

one u Nellie's babies died Yesterday,
and the event has thrown RObinson's circus
into mourning.
Nellie is the majestic African lioness
who. with her two whelps, has been the
centre Of attraction in the menagerie during
the past week p in Deer Lodge, Montana,
ON the 81 ~ last July she gave birth 10 three
little lions, two of which were males. Inc
female whclp was a rarity in the lion world,
inasmuch as instead Of being OF the tawny
color peculiar 90 African lions, II was snow
white.
Never before was a white lion born IN the
world. or az least, il such "A one was born.
there is no record of human eyes ever nav
ins seen il. 80 when the little SNOWFALL
made is appearance in Deer Lodge the big
canvas tent was tilled with the rejoicing at
tlches Of the circus.
John Robinson considered that he had
curiosity which would prove an immense
attraction, and he said that $4,000 could
not buy the whelp. With the hundreds oil
,orkmen who travel with the circus the
white lion became "a great pet, while the
lceuer OF the animals could not have
handled one Of his own babies more ten
derly. and RObinsOu's little daughters, aged
respectively ten and fourteen years, viewed
30 a. the apple Of their eyes. IL was their
custom during the hours when the vast can
Vas was destitute OF visitors 10 Deg the
animal-keeper To give them the baby lions
I. ulav with. There is not q man in the
circus who can refuse the little girl any
Thing. so they generally had their way.
liking the babies out Of Nellie's cage IA
. very delicate proceeding, and many
n tfrGw escape did the keeper have in doing
30. The old lioEess is driven int one end
of the cage. and is kept there under pain OF
being prcked with = sharp iron. Then
while somebody holds open small door I'D
the bars, the animal-keeper quickly snatches
tse whclps out OF the cage. On one occa-
sion Nellie Oyercame her dread OF the sharp
iron and sprang at the keepers hands. lie
still carries il swathed in bandages as evil
dence that her claws are very sharp.
The first time the whelps were taken from
the cage Nellie raised fearful oGtcry,
throwing herself against the bars and
roaring frigntfully. But after while she
became accustomed 10 seeing the little
girls tuml Ii * the whelps over each other
ou the saw lst In front OF the cage, and
nOw she makes no complaint.
Th.lit white baby was the fayorite with
the children as II was WIN everybody else
travelling with the show. IL was their pct
aud the little animal got 10 know them very
well and liked them 80 much that IL would
eat food from their hands. Old Nellie APP
parently understood that the children would
not harm her little one, for she never grow
led or objected In any way when they put
their hands between the bars 10 pet or feed
her young. She was more lenient with the
children than she was with her consort.
Prince, who occupies another compartment
Of her cage. and never pays any attention to
bis progeny except when be steals their
food al meal time. lie understands that he
has 10 be very careful. however, because
one day he put his paw into Nellie's boudoir
and tried 10 steal choice morse OF meat
from one Of the little ones, but the old
i.oness gave the paw such a crunch between
her strong jaws that he still limps when he
takes his exercise.
Last Monday one " the men working In