The morning call., 1892-10-09
BIGGEST LION I'M CAPTIVITY.
william Penn Is His Name and He Is at
the Philadelphia Zoo.

Philadelphia Record.
The largest, noblest lion in captivity
reached the Geological Garden, Philadel-
phia, few days ago, and is ready to re-
ceive callers. A great healthy, formidable
looking beast he is, curiously enough
christened William Penn. The big fellow
was captured in South Africa when a cub,
couple of hunters killing his parents. He
| was bought in Liverpool by the Geological
| Society Thus William Penn, who is now
| the largest lion in captivity, was obtained
| for the amusement and instruction of man
| kind. His has been an eventful career.
| He has made the grand tour Of Europe has
been admired by millions of people, from
crowned heads to beggars, ana has been
able, Notwithstanding the thick iron bars
that shut him off from liberty, to slaughter
six keepers and eleven would-be trainers.
To-day he occupies the star cage of the
Toulouse of tho Zoo. and the beautiful
young lloness, whose apartment adjoins his
own. has already begun to cast in his direc-
ton glances by no means unfavorable.
William Penn, who had not then been
chrstened, was shipped to the Philadelphia
Geological Garden three weeks ago by Cross,
the famous animal dealer OF Liverpool. he
crossed the ocean on the steamer Turlc and
reached his deStinatit y, after an uneventful
voyage that was troubled with but little sea-
sickness, on Tuesday last. He was confined
in n large wooden box with an iron-barred
front, and when this box was taken off
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 opening his
cayernous Jaws and emitting roar after roar.
The horses were finally Quoted by Head
Keeper Byrne. who received, however, sew
eral bites aud kicks before the operation was
accomplished. and the wagon was then drawn
into the garden, attended Dy iaf 30 anu oui4-
Gus tnrong of citizens
The lion was transferred from tue box
into a cage without the slightest difficulty.
First the cage door Of the box was placed
against it and also opened. and thus direct
connection established between the two.
William Penn at first declined to move. but
the famous Byrne, who is ever fertile OF re-
sources, procured large chunk OF horse
flesh, which he threw into the cage. Ihen
The lion entered the door was closed, the
wooden box removed, and the lion began an
Imprisonment that will only end WITH his
| death.
Although William Penn, being but years
| of age, has not yet attained full growth. he
| measures 10 feet inches from nose to tan
| and stands A inches in height at the sn NV
| der. He is as yet very thin. welgh, limit ito ~
| 800 pounds, but his leanness IS snI hoy in
| confinement in the crampeun When
| which he trayersed the aiar ba will he
| ~ waathar gats a little cooler no VIZ 10
the weather shs.en mounds OF meat daily,
Iea aoou 1,,,ntnons diet will soon round on
| H. ongIes of his vast ana po"eniui lialie.
I m o. tnIIv a foot longer than the average
ne 10 iancth and six inches taller than the
leo nino 6eight. His roar is something ter
AYE When he gives 1t all the other noises
~ the Zoo sink into insgnifcance. His
valne is about $500, although this is not
the sum for which he was bought. With