The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-12-18
LION TAMER DEAD.
PexOn. the Great Pariaian Master Of
Animals, and His Career.


II Is a curious coincidence that just at
the moment when his son had declared
himself as n candidate for election to the
French parliament Jean Baptiste Pezon.
the doyen of the lion tanners Of Paris,
should have died quietly in his bed, after
risking dangers innumerabie for the
greater part OF his seventy years. Al
though he had been suffering from heart
disease, his actual death was somewhat
unexpected. Despite his age, he was still
active and robust. and with his dark
gypsy-like complexion, his piercing eyes
hts long black hair. his gold earrings.
his red waisicoat and top boots, he was
the regular type of the French Snowman.
Father Pezon. as he was generally called.
was the founder of the dynasty OF lion
tanners which bears his name.
He was born OF poor peasants In small
village in the Lozere. and took TO tanning
at an early age. His skill in pacifying
Infatuated animals. such as bulls and
horses. made him famous throughout the
country. He also became a clever sports
man, and one day he succeeded in cap
turing wolf, which. after teaching 1t
10 perform several tricks he resolved to
exhibit in the public squares. BY this
means he managed to amass sufficient
money 70 buy a bear. and. together with
the wo;f. lie set out for Paris in car
rage drawn by oxen.
IL was at Bordeaux that he bought his
first lion. A captain coming from Africa
had the animal on board. and asked / 900
francs for IL. Pezon gave him the money
and entered into possession Of it. "Rut
how are you to take the lion away" In
CURED the captain" you have not got a
cage for It," To which the "dompteur"
replied II have brought chain and col
lar for II. and that is all need" And
he forthwith took I home without any
opposi ion being made to its new master
From thas moment fortune smiled on
him and in short time he was able 20
gather together a number Of Wild beasts,
which eventually made his menagerIe
famous.
II was not till 1915 THAI he came to Paris
with his celebrated lien. Brutus. for
which the shah of Persia offered him fla0
but the "domptaur' refused to part with
his farortte animal. His success a, the
fair Of Monsmartre was 40 great that the
director Of the chatelet theater engaged
him 20 appear with his lions and tigers
In TIE fairy piece Of the "Piiules Gu d.
able He was paid leo francs a night
For forty representations. With this mon
ey Pezon mad luxurious caravan made.
and increased the number of animals.
Pers Pczon was very proud of his pos
session. and would not allow anybody to
doubt his authority over MS beasts At
one time the prefecture OF police moved
by a series Of accidents. prohibited the
"domptcnrs'' from entering the cages
pexoE. who was az the moment At the
Gingerbread Fair. rushed TO the pre-
lecture 10 demand the withdrawal OF the
prohibition. "if IL is not granted me -
he said II shall harness four lions 10 nv
carriage ana so 20 the project We shall
then see z there Is n policeman who Will
dare 10 stop me-" The project vas much
amused by this menace. and granted the
demand az the old Snowman