Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1892-09-17
KINGS OF THE zoo,
The Biggest Lion I'm Captivity Now ut the
Philadelphia Gardens.

The Biggest Lion In Captivity Now ut the
Philadelphia Gardens.
From the Philadelphia Record
The largest, noblest lion in captivity reached
the Geological Garden yesterday and Is ready to
receive callers. A great healthy, formidable
looking beast he is, ouriously enough, chris
tened William Penn. The big fellow was cap
tured in South Africa when a cub, Q couple Of
hunters killing his parents. He was bought in
Liverpool by the Geological Society.
Thus William Penn, vino is now the largest
lion in captivity, was obtained for the amuse-
ment and instruction Of mankind His has
been eventful career. He has made the
grand tour of Europe, has been admired by
millions Of people. from crowned heads to beg
gars. and has been able, Notwithstanding the
thick iron bars that shut him off from liberty.
to slaughter six keepers and eleven would-be
trainers. Today he occupies the star cage of
the lion house Of the Zoo, and the beautiful
young honess, whose apartment adjoins his
own. has already begun to cast in his direction
giances by no means unfavorable.
William Penn. who had not then been chris
tened, was shipped to the Philadelphia Zoolog-
ical Garden three weeks ago by Cross, the
famous animal dealer of Liverpool. He crossed
the ocean on the steamer Turic and reached his
destination, after an uneventful voyage that
Tuesday last He was confined In q large
wooden box, with an iron-barred 'front.' and
when this box was taken OF q freight train at
the Geological Garden depot and placed upon
dray the two draft horses became almost frantic
with fear.
William Penn only made them:worse by open.
ing his cavernous jaws and emitting roar after
roar. The horses were finally quieted by
Headkeeper Byrne, who received, however,
several bites and kicks before the operation
was accomplished, and the wagon was then
drawn into the garden attended by large and
curious throng OF citizens.
The hon was transposed from the box into q
cage without the slightest dif6culty. First the
cage door OF the box was placed against IL and
| also opened, and thus direct connection es-
tablished between the two. William Penn at
first declined to move, but the famous Byrne.
who is ever fertile of resource, procured large
chunk Of horsenesh, which he threw into tie
cage. Then the lion entered the door was
closed, the wooden box removed and the lion
began an Imprisonment that viii end orly with
his death.
Although william Penn, being but six v..r.
OF age, has not yet attained full growth. he
measures ten feet six inches from nose 10 tail
ana stands forty-four inches in height Mt the
shoulder. He is as yet very thin, weiehino
only 500 pounds, but his leanness is the result
OF long confinement In the cramped wooden
box in which he trsversed the Atlantic. Wheu
the weather gets . little cooler he win be fed
about eighteen pounds Of meat daily. uhici
| sumptuous diet will soon round OF the ANGLE
| Of his vast and powerful frame.
superintel dent Brown, who is William Penn,
godfather, stated yesterday that the lion n
undoubtedly the finest specimen in captivity
He u fully foot longer than the sverige
ieonine length and six inches taller than f6.
| average height His roar IL something terrible
when he gives il Ill the other noises Of The Zo<
sink into tnEgnihcancs. His value Il abou
,50o, although this d not the sum for vhich
he vas oought With proper care Il 4 ex
Pected that he wiz live to he good old ego o