Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1899-09-22
WOMAN FIGHTS AIEoPARD.
AL. Jut fifty persons who happened t.

AL)ut fifty persons who happened to
be near the cage in which the animals
of the Hagenbeck show now exhibiting
at the National Export Exposition in
Philadelphia, are kept, on Wednesday
saw fight between Mile. Morelli, q
trainer of leopards, and one OF her
charges. The fight lasted about ten
minutes and as q result the young VIC
man is in the University Hospital with
her chest torn and piece bitten out oi
her left arm. The leopard which .at-
tackled her was pierced several times
with the tines OF pitchfork and it is
probab bic that he will die.
The show got IN late Saturday night,
and the cages OF the animals were not
ready, SO they had to be kept in the
travelling cages, which are very small.
On Monday some of the animals were
transferred, but the leopards' cages
were not ready and SC they were allow
ed to stay out in the small boxes. Tues.
night there was q severe storm and
these animals were exposed to it. This
made their temper bad Wednesday
morning, but the manager determined
to have the Grst show of the week that
afternoon ard rehearsal was ordered.
The leopards were transferred to large
Cages.
Mile. Morelli opened the door OF the
cage in which the big leopard Rapier
stood snarling. She was clad in a
French blouse OF deep led and tights Of
the same hue. In her right hand she
had whip and in the left, which she
kept behind her back, was revolver,
for she anticipated trouble with the
leopard and was prepared to subdue
him. AS she entered Rapier lowered
his head and, showing his teeth, skunk
into the far corner. heyoung woman
went near him aud spoke. The only
attention he paid to her words was to
slash his tail augrily and spit. With
out further words she raised the whip
ard brought it down on the back OF
tho animal. He retreated and she
followed, striking him second time,
the last cutting his face. He crouched
for spring, but she hit him the third
time with the lash and be ran whining
10 the other side of the cage. The
trainer again gave an order, but he re-
fused to move aud she struck him with
the whip In an instant. and without
giving warning, the leopard leaped into
the air and landed on her shoulders,
his left forepaw sinking into her cht t
and tearing off the clothing. So quick
had been the spring that she was uD.
able to bring the revolver into use, and
when he struck her the weapon was
hurled to the other side of the cage.
Reversing the whip Mile. Morelli
beat the animal on the head until be
loosened his grip and sunk to the floor.
| Guards had been trying to get in to her
assistance, but the door was locked ard
nothing could be done. One CT them
had secured a three-pronged fork,
which he passed through the bars, and
es the animal fell the trainer hacked
toward this and raised il just as ne wss
about to spring for the second time
He leaped and landed on the p1oDgs
which ran deep into his breast. DE iell
and ran. but the woman followed him
striking him at every step with the
sharp points. Not until be was ex-
hausted did she stop rrodding him
She then walked to the door, opened 1t
| from the inside, ard fell into the arms
of g gusrd. Her left arm was helpless
and her chest was terribly lscerated. q
year ago in Omaha Mile. Morelli wa'
attacked and her chest lacerated by
jaguar.