The Savannah morning news. (Savannah, Ga.) 1900-current, 1901-03-17
CHARMED BY WILD BEASTS.
Peri1ous Experience of a Keeper In
the Philadelphia Zoo.

the Philadelphia Zoo.
From the Philadelphia Bulletin.
There is something in the angry CLINT
OF wild animals eye that fascinates
John Lover, one OF the keepers OF the
geological gardens. and his fondness for
literally boarding the lion in his DEM
some day may cost him his life. No ons
knows this better than Lover himself,
and yet he feels that his Zines are cast
In pleasant places" and would be envious
of any man foolhardXs enough to apply
for his position.
At least half of the time this man with
the daredevil recklessness OF spirit goes
about with bandaged limbs, the results OF
encounters with mis- friends" the ami
mails. When his hands, arms or legs
are torn by the claws of the maddened
beasts he makes a dash FOR a bottle OF
cauterizing mud, pours II into the ragged
wound, and then goes back to suDdue
by Kindness or punishment, as the case
may require, the animal that attacked
him.
Il wouldn't leave my position for any
other one that could be offered me-" he
SAD to-day. II love valid anima.s and
know IL is their nature to attack men.
No; don't care much for tame animals.
The hrceness and splendid courage Is
beaten out OF them land / regard them
as l would a cowardly man."
Yesterday, however, he met with his
most thrilling trial, and his own words
best ten the, tale Of the encounter with
the wolves.
About II o'clock yesterday morning."
ne said to-day. 81 went into the cage
where the gray wolves were fighting
| thought could separate them without
force, but as precaution l armed my
self with club and broom Nellie, the
female wolf, was more troublesome than
her mate, Dan, and / attempted to paci-
~ her first. My presence seemed TO quiet
them, and / thought while l was in the
cage | would clean 1t. When / had nn-
ished ! started to leave by way of a rear
door, but had no sooner turned my back
than Nellie sprang upon me.
She weighs about $50 pounds and when
she struck me fell to the floor with
thud Dan, her mate, howled furiously,
out did not make an attempt to attack
me until Nellie had my left arm tightly
clenched between her sharp teeth, The
pain from the bite was fearful, and to
protect myself struck her with my club,
which seemed at first to enrsge hem
She sprang at me again, seized my in
1ured arm between her jaws, and the
pain Increased so intensely that / was
almost bewildered for the time. Then
she fell on the floor unconscious.
thought ! was through with the struggle
and started again to leave the cage.
Dan, the male wolf, In a spirit OF re.
venge, attacked me, and strange as 1t
may seem. after b ting me on the thumb
OF the right hand, made frlghtful growi-
ing noise land to my amazement seized
my already badly lecerated arm, and
crunched down uDon IL
Il yelled for help, and with a thin
broomstick was compelled to fight my
Sway to liberty. / worked my way to the
door OF the cage, leading to a small in
closure in the rear and thought I was
safely out, but was disappointed again.
as the female wolf, who is a cute, cum
ming beast, beat me to the door, and
slipped out Just ahead Of me.
II was now without club. broom or
anything TO defend myself, except my
right hand. My left hand and arm were
useless. / was covered with blood and
seemed to infuriate the beasts who
were growing and prancing about. both
with their glazing eyes upon me. Fate
seemed 10 be against me for the time.
and thousand thoughts ran through
my head in on instant.
but no time Yves TO DO lost. Nellie
again started for me. checked her leap
with my foot, and quickly seized her BY
the throat She Struggled TO get away
and BIT me. but fortunately Headkeeper
Manley. with six men. arrived Just IN
time 10 prevent the animals from tear
Ing me 20 bits After some dlnicrlty
the wolf was forced into her cage. when
she and her mate walked 10 and fro all
day long"