The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1903-02-22
IN THE CLUTCHES or A LION.
A Graphic Description of Sparks Struggle
With his Maddened Pet.
Especial to News and observer.

tSpeClal TO news ana bpStINtI.l
Lexington n. c.. Fef 2l.-To stand by
and see hungry beast rend human
being and be powerless to render help
10 witness the flesh torn from living
human body by a fierce lion and without
weapon of any sort with which to as
sist your companion; horrible beyond con-
ception, and yet such was recently tho
experience of MIR. Ed Clinard Of Win
ston, who spent last night at the March
Hotel, and who related to a circle OF in
tensely interested hearers his thrilling
experience with the lions that killed MI.
John II. Sparks, the millionaire show
man and owner Of the beasts at Wade
Mecum Springs few weeks ago.
Messrs. Sparks. Clinard and Tise were
at the Wade Mecum Hotel and the from
err proposed that they visit his pet lions.
which he had not seen in four months,
having been absent on a trip to Texas.
Arriving at the cage of the animals. MIR
Sparks reached through the bars as he
had OFTEN done and pctted one of the
lions on the head when quick as Il flash
his hand was seized the beast crushing
it frightfully in its huge mouth. Mr..
Sparks endeavored to withdraw his hand
when, like lightning the lion brought It's
terrible claws into action, and took a
larger hold on the mans arm, tearing
his clothing and seizing the flesh OF his
forearm in its massive Jaws, accompany
ing the action with a most frightful
snarling and roaring
Mr. Sparks companions were almost
paralyzed with horror They could hear
the crunching of his flesh and bones in
the mouth of the beast, which was now
wild with rage ard the taste of blood.
Mr.. Clinard says once of twice the show
man groaned with agony but eyinced no
excitement nor fright. but calmly direct
ed his companions how to make the lion
loose its hold.
Mr.. Tise ran for help, and Mr. Clinar1
looked everywhere for weapon. But
nothing save small stick could be found,
and his punching the beast in the face
with that only served to increase it's
ferocity. while it suddenly renewed us
hold farther toward the doomed mans
shoulder.
Finally Mr.. Tise returned with a heavy
piece of scantling, which Mr. Tise seized,
and uniting their strength. the two men
punched and beat the lion in the face
and priced its teeth till the showman's
arm could be pulled from its mouth.
During their efforts the other lion in
censed with the smell Of the blood that
was streaming from the lacerated
arteries, made the most terrible efforts
to reach them through the bars OF the
cage. and once its claws tore the lapel
of Mr.. Clnard's coat.
When Mr. Sparks arm was finally
loosed, he fell back weak with the ex-
cruciating agony he had gone through,
and loss of blood
Then" said Mr.. Clinard, "do you know
what hell is? 1t was there when we fin-
ally broke that lions hold. Both of the =
beasts, wild with the taste of blood
roared and plunged and sprang with ter
rible ferocity against the bars OF that
cage in their efforts to get at us. never
shall forget till my dying day the look
of the lion as We finally forced it's jaws
apart and released Mr.. Sparks arm.
It's eyes seemed to dilate TO twice their
usual size, and sparkled like fire. I
hope / shall never experience another
such sensation"
MIR. Clinard used a silk handkerchief
to bind the arm of the Snowman tightly.
close to his shoulder, until the arrival
Of a physician.