The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1901-10-01
FIGHT BETWEEN MONSTERS
DESPERATE STRUGGLE BETWEEN TWO
BIG LIONS AT NASHVILLE.
The Beasts Belong to Ferrari's Wild
Animal Show Which Is to Be Seen In
Wilmington In Two weeks-wonder-
tut Nerve of the Woman Lion Tanner

Tne Nashville Daily News, of Sep
tember 18th, contains the following
thrilling account of q battle royal be-
tween two big ions tina are to be in
Wilmington with the -Ferrari
combination at the Elks' great carni-
val and street fair to be held in our
city October 18th to 18th:
Early this morning there was a con-
sternation on the Midway.
Trouble h been brewing in the big
cage Where the five ions are confined
Tor nearly two weeks. 1t was caused by
the introduction of a new lion in thei
midst.
1t is the custom Of the proprietors Of
n show, when they secure a new lion,
to first accustom him to human pres
sence by placing him in a conspicuous
place IN the tent, and then to begin his
education by turning him to begin his
with animals which have already I'M
dergone a course of instruction.
In pursuance of the policy, on last
Wednesday a splendid specimen Of the
full-grown, untamed lion was trans
ferred from its solitary place Of son
fnement to the ~iron-harred enclosure
where Princess Delaware. in real life,
Madame D'Osta, displays her marvel
u powers as a trainer
The undisputed ruler of Madame
D'Osta's charges is a majestice lion
named Dan. Hardly had the newcomer
entered the cage till Dan resolved he
woul assert his sway. the two in
dulged in a lively mix-up from which
the new lion emerged with a lacerated
leg and an humbled carriage. They
were separated with some difficulty by
Madame D'Osta. But his was moth
ing to what was to come.
1t is customary to let the lions out
of their smaller cages into the large
enclosure adjoining every morning to
stretch. themselves and gain necessary
exercise. A close watch is kept on
their motions at such times, for they
often teach themselves little tricks
which they are then encouraged to
repeat when their trainer is in the cage.
This morning the lion were turned
together as usual. A growing an
tipathy has been noticed for the last
few days between Jar and the new
lion. Evidently Dan had not asserted
his rule with sufficient force.
Madame D'Osta at once saw trouble
was imminent and ordered the brutes
back into their dens. All obey except
Dan and the new lOn, and the latter
was moving sulkily toward the door
when his enemy leaped upon him.
The force of the aSsailant'S leap car
ried the two great beasts against the
iron bars of the cage with a power that
threatened to tear them from their
sockets. An attendant. standing on
that side. dropped his iron rod and
rushed terrified from the tent with the
cry hat the lions had escaped
Instantly all vas conmotion, the hid
eous uprOar which arose from the tent
seemed to confirm the frightened mans
words and to throw the whole Midway
into a SpaSm of terror.
Managers Ferrari and Leavitt were
chatting in front of the crystal maze
when the alarm was ounde They
instantly rose and ruShe to the scene
of the trouble. Another flying attend
ant passed them with the same story
of disaster. but neither of the men hest
tated. Pale as death, Mr.. Leavitt en-
tered the tent first with a drawn revol'
yer, MI. Farrari close at his heals.
The sight which met them is one
which neither will ever forget
Locked in apparently a death Crap
pie. the two kings of the forest lay
struggling and wreathing on the floor,
while with a courage which was sub
lime Madam D'OSta remained at her
post vainly trying to separate them.
She had empted her revolver of the
blanks it contained n was now beat
ing the combatants with her whip.
Fortunately. she had had the presence
of mind to close the doors shutting the
remaining animals out OF the arena I'M
mediately after the fight began. They
now testified their eagernesS 10 take
part in the fray by trying to tear asun.
der the bars and utterlng the Hiosl
hideous roars.
All the other beasts in the tent lml-
tated their example and were in a ire
mendous state of excitement.
In mortal dread for his wifes life,
Monsieur D'Osta was about to enter the
cage. but was restrained by Messrs.
Ferrari and Leavitt, The three united in
their entreaties to Madame DOsta to
come out, but she refused to comply,
and coolly insisted she was in no dan
ger.
Meanwhile the battle continued. the
new lion was smaller than Dan. but
he was a worthy opponent. The first
leap of his huge adversary had stunned
him for the instant, out he had rallied
AFT once and was making the fight OF
his life.
Every now and thea the two beasts
would struggle to their feet. and rear
ing on their hind legs. still In deadls
embrace. sway across the enclosure anC
dash against the bars with the force o.
a catapult; their bodies were heckeo
with foam and blood. and the helllsr
CLEANS Of anger that shot from tneli
green eyes was appalling. their stifieo
Snarles of concentrated hate were more
horrible than the louder roars of the
hrrtss all around the tent. who were
frantic to join in their struggle.
For a mOment Vlctory UreIlpleu III II
balance. Feeling. perhaps. that II wa:
a matter of life or death with him. tn'
new lion was putting forth such e1ort
as taxed all the powers OF ms mlsht!
enemy. An instant more Dan wen
down beneath them. but fought nj
way up again with redoubled T anC
seized his adversay's throat In a srll
from which there was no escape:
In his last onset Dan had again car
-;o5 his enemy I'D against the bars
where the two lay struggling.
Madame D'Osta ordered that Waue
be brought and poured on them II
hopes that it would cool their rage. on
of the attendants VINO a not me-
started to carry out her
and another. seized With a HAPPY
Sniration started to call the fire de
nartment SO that the hose might o
turned on the foaming combatants. bu
a:a not Get as far as the door "