The Iola register. [volume] (Iola, Allen County, Kansas) 1875-1902, 1891-06-12
The Little Boy and the Lioness.

John l. Mosteler, superintendent OF
Grant Park, Atlanta, Georgia, had a
| terrible battle with Mexican lioness.
called MollOy, belonging to the park.
one day last week. He was fighting
for the life of Inman Bell, the 4-year-
old son of Mr.. T. H. Be l. Both the
| little fellow and the SUPERINTENDENT
were injured seriously. But for the
GOODNESS of Mosteler the boy would
have been horribly mangled by the
sharp claws Of the beast. AS it was,
the little fellow was badly scratched md
bitten. Mr.. Mosteler had his right
hand severely lacerated.
1t seems that Mrs. Bell, ACCOMPANIED
by Inman, was standing at the railing
near the animals cage when Mr.. Moste-
Ter came by on the inside of the railing.
Mrs. Bell asked if the baby lions" could
be seen, stating that the boy was nearly
crazy to see them. The superintendent
said that he could not see them, and
started to pass on. In speaking of it
afterward. he said the little fellow was
so nice and looked so disappointed that
he determined to give him a peep
through the cracks. Picking him up
in his arms, he walked to the cage and
let him look through. The little fellow
was all delight at getting a glimpse at
the baby lions" and Mr.. Mosteler
started to 60 around to the other side
to give him better view. Being inside
the railing, he had to pass within two
or three feet of Molly's cage which was
next to that containing the cubs. Sud-
denly the lioness stretched out a paw
between the bars and made a stroke at
the boy. The blow fell short but caught
in his clothing. At the same time She
attempted to draw him to her, and then
for the first time Mr.. MOsteler saw the
danger. Before he could move the lit
tie fellow had been pulled up to the en-
ragged beast, and with snap she sliced
one of his hands in her mouth. With
one foot she braced herself. and with
the other she was just about to make
blow direct on the child's face, Mr..
Mosteler still held the child, and was
Juggling with all his might to get him
free from the grasp of the raging ami
NAL. He threw one hand against the
cage. This act probably saved the
child's life. The attention of Molly was
diverted, and she savagely clawed the
mans hand. All this occurred within
few seconds, and the Mortified specta-
tors had not had time enough to help in
the battle.
The mother was well nigh crazed by
the sight of her son in the clutches of
the beast The boys hand was between
the animals teeth and his face was
within an inch or two of the half-open
mouth when Molly turned to strike |
Mosteler The spectators rushed to the |
cage, and with walking sticks. umbrel-
las and rocks beat upon the sides and |
head OF the lioness. With growl she
released her hold of the child and |
turned to meet her new enemies. The
almost distracted mother grasped her
son in her arms and rushed to her car
riage. The boy was bleeding from his
neck, side and arm and his injuries an
peared fatal, or at least quite serious.
to all.
The battle was won, but would the
boy live? The wounds were examined,
and 1t was found that the boy was not
fatally hurt. The wounds were quickly
dressed and the lit e fellow was carried
home. Soon afterward Mr.. Mosteler
had his hand dressed. In speaking. of
the matter, he said: 'You don't know
how relieved felt, had no idea of the
extent OF the boys injuries, and all the
way down | was wondering if he were
dead. He was in my charge, and 7
would gladly have taken every scratch
ne received. The little fellow was
as brave as possible, and never uttered
a cry, even when his face was within a
few inches of the lioness's teeth. l tell
you 1t was scarey time"