St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1893-11-02
A TIGER FIGHT.

A bloody battle occurred at Roger
Williams Park, Providence, R. l.,
between two OF the finest specimens
OF the tiger family in captivity, re-
sulting in the death OF the handsome
quadruped well known as Prince,
SAID to be one of the most ferocious
ANIMALS ever captured in India. 1t
was three years ago that Prince was
taken, after mangling three hunters
IN the foothills of the Himalaya
mountains. He was called one of
the finest specimens ever caught. He
was marked perfectly. and weighed
something like 1900 pounds. The
tiger fought desperately, but was
finally landed at Hamburg. Later
he was purchased by the Union
Railroad Company, of this city, for
the park.
Since his arrival menagerie keepers
the country over have visited the
city to see him. A year ago fe-
male, called princess" was bought,
but at that time, as price" was
called the most ferocious animal and
hard fighter, they were not mated.
In adjoining cages they got ac-
quainted, and finally they were put
together in a strong steel cage.
They never showed any dislike for
each other until week ago, when
Prince began to punish Princess.
She took his ill-treatment calmly,
but this morning, when he began
the wrangle, she was ready. Prince
struck the first blow and showed
his long white teeth.
Princess laid her ears on her we'll
shaped head and returned the blow,
and both began to hiss and growl
louder and louder. They were an
cry, but the people in the menagerie
did not expect fight. The animals
walked about the cage cycling each
other closely, when suddenly Prince
sprang at Princess. About the
same time Princess leaped into the
air and both came together in the
centre of the cage. The growing
beasts had set the entire menagere
in an uproar, and the other animals
began to show signs OF uneasiness.
Finally the whole menagerie entered
into the fray, and their barking and
growing made a thunderous noise
which could be heard half mile
away.
The tigers, after coming together,
began a terrible battle. With their
claws they tore each others backs
and with their teeth they chewed
each others necks and heads. Prince
seemed to have the best of the bat
tie, but after a hard struggle Prin-
cess broke away from him, and, re-
moving few feet to 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 a slaughter-house. Mel
ther tiger gave way, ana nnally
Princess set her teeth in her mates
neck and held him until he was dead.
Then, animal fashion, she tore the
meat from his body and drank his
blood. Almost iiieless she lay in the
pond OF blood for several minutes,
and then, raising herself, let forth a
terrible howl, as if cheering at her
victory. When the noise ceased the
keepers entered the building. Prin'
cess sat in her cage with one paw
upon Princes head, which was near
ly severed from his body. She wa:
still angry, but finally became quiet
She was covered with blood and the
remnants OF her dead mate; but sht
stood victor of the greatest battl,
ever fought in this or any other me
nagerie.-[N. Y. Tribune.