The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1899-12-07

Upon.
Extra hazardous might well quail
ify the risk" that would be placed
with the name Of lion-tamer should
be have the hardihood 20 apply for an
accident policy; but the intrepid in
diyidual who puts his head in the lions
mouth and chases irate beasts up and
down narrow cages does not apparent
iy think SO much about these things
as the man OF sedentary occupation.
says the New York Telegraph. This
was the opinion of famous trainer,
who has been following the perilous
profession for twenty-five years and
who discussed the pros and cons OF
his business with cheerful candor.
The trainer, who has only been out Of
the hospital a few days, exhibited with
nonchalence a bandaged leg where
lioness had nipped through few
inches above the ankle. The same
animal had bitten him in the same
place a few years before in Manches-
ter, England. 1t was evidently a favor
ite bite with her.
I've been lucky for a year now"
said the tanner. THE last trouble
had OF any importance was last sum-
mer. A friend OF mine asked me to
break three young lions for perform
ing. The result was that after few
lessons | hoyed down for repairs, and
had thirty stitches taken in my back.
The lions remained as frisky as ever
some lions, you know, absolutely re-
fuse to be educated. The teeth OF a
lion exempliiy the finest condition of
development of the carnivorous type.
The great, sharp, canine teeth placed
wide apart at the angles Of the mouth
can hold on better than any pincers
| have ever seen. The jaws are short
and strong, and are moved by power
full muscles"
as there any popularity about lion
tanners, national or otherwise?'
queried the reporter.
* can't say there is" responded the
trainer. Il happen to be ScOtchman.
Six lion-tamers, if you choose to call
us such, came from the same place
did. You might not believe it, but the
eXcitable French are adept, although
believe the Germans are more success
full in the handling of animals. Dur
ing my residence in this country the
last three years have met a number
| of Americans who gave every evidence
of handling animals as fearlessly as
| any men l have ever met; they are not
so patient, perhaps, as the Germans
| in trying to teach them tricks, but
they are very alert and daring"
| How do you go about the business
| Of training lions?"
to know you from work in front Of the
cage; go into the den every morning
and read the papers-my wife used tC
take her sewing and work all hour OF
so. This is the early stage before you
use whip. You can't train lions tC
| do much; you can urge them to rur
about the cage, jump the hurdle and
ting your head in the lions mouth is
| always a risk and should not be at
tempted unless the animal is quiet
You stroke the beasts back as you
would that of a cat. This sort Of
soothes him and you may take advan
tage of this fact to quietly pry oper
his jaws and press your head so closely
to the teeth as your courage permits
Of course, if the animal is disposed tt
close down on you at this time trepan
ming would be necessary if you eve
got out alive. Personally, am NOR
afraid of a lions paws than am Of hi
jaws. Talk about upper CUTS lef
hooks and that sort of prize-fightin,
fancy shots! A lion is wonderful,
clever and he does it without gloves
4 lions claws take hold like a fish
hook. A tiger or leopard gives witt
the paws side slash that cuts like
knife.
Lions are fed after they perform
that is part of their reward for tn
work; so that the idea that they ar
'dcpy' and overfed when we go into tn
cage is a mistake. l would rathe
work with lions any time than eIe
plants. They are such treacherou
and powerful beasts. l have had thei
| SdSA SiuC VI UiC Ill uoI tulOuS
three inches of board and l have ha
'em goring the ground as lay betwee
, the ivories-thinking each momen
would be my last.
ooh, yes, lions are cantankerous an
: have their bad days. Some of ther
, seem chemically bad.
THE lioness that I am working no.
is not good animal. The fact is sh
I, has killed and manned five keeper.
not to mention the horses she has Kill
ed when she has been on the rampag
You may remember, she got out i
, New York four years ago and wa
gone two days. ] finally caught hi
in a stable, where she had been dinin
a la carte off the poor horses. A yea
ago in Kansas City she killed her la
: keeper l have not worked with h,
for three years until recently.
showed you the result of our fir.
scrimmage after my return" and tt
{ man pointed significantly to his bal
; daged leg"
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