Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-09-09
WOLVES BIT HIS LEGS.
ACTOR CLIFFoRDs REHEARSAL NEARLY Rs-
SUITS FATALLY.
Be is to Play toe Villain and the Siberian Pack are
to Kill Hin, IN the Play, out They Took
the Wrong ons-rrsinw Burns Ar-
rived in Time to Whip Them
IHto Submission.

New YORK, September S.-EredericK
w. Grafton, a theatrical manager, while
searching for realistic features to De
produced in a melodrama entitled "The
Avenger," decided to import a lot OF
Young Siberian wolves. He got the
brutes at Irkootsk, and they arrived In
this city during the month of May.
There were fifteen Of them, and all
rs savage as when first thrown into a
cage. Mr.. Donald Burns, dealer In
rare animals at No. lis Roosevelt street,
was selected to tame the brutes, as ne
has been doing such work for nearly
thirty years. The wolves were placed
in an ordinary performing cage, and Tor
over three months the trainer has oeen
endeavoring to bring them into suomls-
sion.
1.-THE wolves" said Mr.. Burns yester-
day, 'are the most powerful and savage
of their genus, aud, though l have
tanned all sorts of wild animals, these
are the worst l ever tackled. My con-
tract was TO tame them sufficiently Tor
an actor to approach them and be ap-
parently killed on the stage by them.
had deal of trouble at first, but got
them under such subsection that could
enter the cage and kick them about.
But had to kill one because OF his I'M
tamable ferocity.
"That was in July. Since then the
rest of the pack have behaved pretty
well, and informed the owner that was
ready to turn them over to him. lie
and Mr.. Orsen Clifford, an actor, came
here Saturday morning and saw me
handle them. Phoenix Macdonald, an
old animal-tamer, who has had many
battles, was present and he was engaged
to take charge of the wolves while on
the road and handle them on the stage.
II had to 60 out for moment.
Scarcely had l passed through the door
When Clifford expressed a desire to enter
the cage and see how the wolves would
act. Had l been here would not have
allowed him to do so, for they hap not
not been fed and were savage from
hunger. Macdonald, however, opened
the cage and Clifford entered. l had
reached the corner Of Water street,
when / heard an uprOar, go ran back,
being just In time to see the whole
pack snarling and biting at Clitford's
legs.
st did not take long for me to get In
and kick away the wolves to let Clifford
get out His trousers were badly torn
and he had been bitten in several places
He Is a very plucky man, though, for
with the blood running down his legs
he was eager to go back and try again.
We would not, of course, consent, to
that, so he went home in cab.
"My part of the contract has been
fulfilled, and the wolves will now go TO
Trenton, where, l understand, they are
to appear soon. l think Clifford will
get along very nicely with them after
the brutes have grown to be accustomed
IN him Ne IS to pIay tho mart of a viii
lain and the wolves are to Kill him, ana
so ends the piece"
"Will 90 on with the wolvesP" said
actor Clifford, repeating the reporters
question as he lay on lounge In his
Brooklyn home; why, OF course
will"
81 am not afraid of them" he con-
tinued. "and they are sure TO be draw
ing card. or course ] was too hasty In
entering the cage, and perhaps did
kick one or two. l do not remember,
for they attacked me so suddenly. IL
Mr.. Burns had not been near / suppose
the brutes would have done me some
damage"
Here Mr.. Clifford nursed q leg a.
though In pain.
"By the time we begin on the road, Fl"
he went on, "they will know me better
and we will do very well together. ]
only wished to play with them and
merely cufied those nearest me. Mr..
Burns had big whip and soon cowed
the pack, while had no weapon but
/ - horAc