New-York tribune., 1900-05-12
STORY OF CROKER THE TIGER
He BROKE LOOSE BEFORE REACHING
THE HOME OF TAMAIANY AND PAID
THE PENALTY WITH HIS LIFE.

A tiger named Croker broke loose on the
steamship Pisa which reached this port yes
terday from Hamburg. and for one day during
the passage created CONSERVATION among the
29S steerage passengers who were making their
voyage with him. and was not subdued until
he had torn the trunk of Diana, one of the ele-
plants. in a frightful manner. Croker was at
last cornered and shot by Carl Zeller the keeper
of the elephants Croker had received his name
from the cook, who. it is said, had formerly
served on the police force of New-York
There was a good sized menagerie on the
Pisa in all as many as 800 beasts and reptiles
including II elephants. tigers t leopards
bears, l puma 20 boa constructors. camels
> boxing kangaroOs, II ortriches and 300 mon
keys and they had their quarters in the hold
just below the hunks of the steerage passengers
On the night of May there came roar from
below which awoke every living being on board
High above the tumult that ensued were heard
the trumpetings of the elephants.
The second officer, Henry Won MARION,
ordered 10 go below and learn the cause of the
disorder. He obeyed cheerfuIly. and having
groped down the steerage ladder he thrust his
head into the gloom of the hold. Another mo-
ment and he had shouted back 10 the command
ing officer on deck: "Crokers loose and is
cIawing Dtana's trunk Won MARION was then
ordered to release Diana from the tigers claws
of their hunks. Many of the women had tainted
and several of the men had made fast TO life
preservers. Won Marion slowly let himself
down among the camels and made his way
toward the tiger. He had planned TO lasso him
from hiding place. Except for 4 few lanterns
the darkness of the place was unbroken, since
the rolling Of the ship had extinguished most
of the lights.
Croker, however. was not TO be trapped
Springing the camels he gave the sec
ond officer an opportunity to display whatever
qualities he had as a wrestler. The immediate
outcome of the bout was the loss Of Won Mar
bOnS coat and several slashes in his trousers
Another instant and he up the ladder.
The DandemOnium in the hold now increased
The TWO bears, the leopards. the puma and the
tigers beat at their cages and threatened the
other inmates of the hold with still further di-
version. At last Carl ZeIler, the keeper Of the
elephants, found frearm, and started TO
the rescue Of Diana.
1t had now become apparent that Croker could
not be dealt with in a tritfing manner. ZeIler
made his way into the hold and finally sighted
two large blazing. green balls which stood out
in striking contrast with the dark background.
The tumult had subsidized somewhat and only
the wounded Diana crying.
I never had target TO shoot at just like
that one" said Zeller, in telling Of his expert
ence Il simply aimed al a place half way
petWeen the eyes, Al the report or my rifle,
knew that had strueh In an instant the
two green lights disappeared in the gloom.
got another lantern, and when the smoke had
cleared away, l found the tiger stretched out
on the deck. hit square between the eyes
Croker was buried next day at sea. When the
cook had read the papers yesterday. he said TO
one of the crew: Funny that Ice Trust fight
began just the night Croker was shot"
The monkeys Jared badly on the voyage. Fifty
of them died Of quick consumption TIE other
100 were coughing badly yesterday and their
keepers fear that more OF them viii die. One
large antelope and two llamas also died the
voyage.
It is thought that Diana VIII recover from
her wound, although she has acted half dazed
ever since the night the tiger sprang her.
Among the cOnsignees of the animals are
William Bartel. Of this city; the Glen Island
Zoo" and f. D. Colvin, Of Chicago. Other con-
signments TO Philadelphia Pittsburg and
Cincinnati.