Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1893-10-19
TIGERS IN BATTLE ROYAL
"A Bloody Struggle In a Provi-
dence Menagerie Cage.
PRINCE WAS KILLED BY HIS MATE.

Two Magnificent Royal Bengal Tigers Fight
to Finish In the Presence of Awe Strick-
en- spectators-PrIncess Tore the body of
Her Dead Mate to Pieces.
PROVIDENCE, Oct IA bloody battle
occurred at Roger Williams park be
tween two of the finest specimens of the
tiger family in captivity, resulting in the
death of the handsome quadrupcd known
throughout the United States and Europe
as Prince-the most ferocious animal ever
captured by animal hunters in India. 1t
was three years ago that Prince was cap
tured after mangling three hunters in the
foothills of the Himalaya mountains. He
was the finest specimen ever caught. He
was marked perfectly and weighed some
thing like l, 200 pounds. The tiger fought
desperately, but was finally landed at Ham
burg. Later it was purchased by the Union
Railroad company of this city for the park.
Prince Began the Row.
Since his arrival menagerie keepers the
country over have visited the city to see
him. y year ago female (Princess) was
bought, but at that time, as Prince was
considered most ferocious animal and n
hard fighter, they were not mated. In adj
joining cages they got acquainted, and
finally they were put together in a strong
steel cage.
They never showed any dislike for each
other until a week ago, when Prince began
to punish Princess. She took his i'll treat
ment calmly, but on Wednesday, when he
began the wrangle, she was ready.
Prince struck the first blow and showed
his long, white teeth. Princess laid her ears
upon her we'll shaped head and returned
the blow and both began to hiss and growl
louder and louder. They We're angry, but
the pc ople in the menagerie did not expect
Il fight The animals walked about the
cage cycling each other closely, when sud
denly Prince sprang at Princess, About
the same time Princess leaped into the air,
and both came together in the center Of the
cage.
The growing beasts had set the entire
menagerie in an uproar, and the other an
finals began to show signs of uneasiness.
Finally the whole menagerie entered into
the fray, and their barking and growing
made thunderous noise which could be
heard half n mile away.
Battle Royal.
The tigers after coming together began
terrible battle. With their claws they
tore each others backs, and with their
teeth they chewcd each Others necks and
heads.
Prince seemed to have the best of the bat
tie, but after hard struggle Princess broke
the rear leaped upon her adversary with
great force, knocking him upon his side.
For half an hour the battle ragged, and blood
spurted in all directions. The cage and
immediate vicinity looked like n slaughter
house. Neither tiger gave way, and finally
Princess set her teeth in her mates neck
and held him until he was dead.
She was enraged, and then, animal fash
ion, she tore the meat from his body and
drank his blood. Almost lifeleSs she lay in
, the pond of blood for several minutes, and
then raising herself let forth terrible
howl as if cheering at victory When the
noise ceased, the keepers entered the build
ing. Princess sat in her cage with one paw
upon Princes head, which was nearly sew
cred from his body. She was still angry,
but finally became quiet. She was covered
with blood and the remnants of her dead
mate but then she stood victor of the great
est battle ever fought in this or any other
TI1pnnorprip