New-York tribune., 1900-04-01
4 TALK WITH 4 LION T4nER.
HERR sEETH's METHODS AND SOME ACCI
DENTS He HAS HAD

From The London Globe.
Stalking" a lion trainer for the purpose Of
an interview IS 10 easy matter The modesty
of the lion tanner is almost proverbiaI have
not the artistic wags OF America and cur own
country illustrated this from time TO time in
many q witty SketCh-Jhe mann mOtlFe pellS III
one picture the heroic demeanOr Of the terrorlZer
Of the king OF beasts in the lions cage. and as a
comic contrast his crestfalIen demeanOr in the
privacy of his own particular domestic circle
This does not apply. however TO Herr 7eeth'
who is man IN every sense, both IN the pnysl-
cal and mental meaning Of the word. our
wholesale trainer of lions, a very masculine man
of q feet IL inches in height, and some seven
teen stone odd IN Weight al nrSt ehiHely Ge-
cllned 10 be interviewed. ana IN TINS coIul-
ti0n Of mind a man of Herr Seeths stamp is
very difficult TO deal with. However, with the
help of the press represen tative Of the hippo
drome I ran him nearly literally speaking TO
earth by the devious passages that run under
this magnificent building, and discovered per
haps the greatest lion tanner that ever existed
in the privacy of his dressing room.
He was reclining back in mis- chair in the easy
manner Of an athlete. His greeting was OF the
CHEEKY type What do you want me for What
can l tell you? I have not my birth certificate
with me-" And the great Herr regarded in
qIiZZical fashion from under his eyendS and
thoroughly enjoyed my discontinue I know
what you are going TO ask me. Well my age is
JhTUy-six, and was born in the village of hOll
mar, in the province Of HOlsteln. and have Just
three minutes 70 dress myself in
One fact I should like 10 know" 7 murmured.
You are the first trainer Of lions that We have
ever seen turn his back a lion
The massive frame of Herr Seeth shook with
meTTImenJ- An. my 1Il-nG, tAe secret Is 10
find which animal you can turn your back
with safety I do not show my back 10 every
one Of my twenIy-One lions. When my animals
groWI and paw me, do they mean it? Some
times they do" remarked Herr Seeth, enig-
maticaIly. and sometimes they don't. When
ever they do drop their paws on me. you VIII
notice that j never move. They ar the big cats
of the feline species, and their habits are almost
identical You Try To move quickly. and q once
they uncover their claws. Ana a scra ch from
lion is light matter
I carry Two Whips There is good reason
for this one hand is always disenEaged and
the whip Is used IN persuasive manner. I as
sure YOU that persuasion enters more into the
business Of lion tanning than force. have not
the slightest fear of one of my animals. l have
my accidents, but any injuries are generally
given in a playful spirit. All my lions from
Abysslnia, and mostly are presents from the
Emperor Menelik, with whom I am an especial
faV0rite On account of my skill in dealing with
lions he presented me with armlet Of gold
set with precious jewels. II represents an order
equivalent to your Knight OF the Garter and is
only presented to the most redOuDtaDle of MS
warriors, and has TO be returned 10 him al their
death.
Lion hunting Is my favorite sport Some few