The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1904-04-22

sports and Games Under DIsndy ans
tngeOus Conditions for the Pub
lies Entertainment.


The visitors to the Ipswich Hippo
drome were lately treated to a novel
entertainment Ii a game Of billiards
played between the manager and a local
gentleman in the lions den. The
game which was twenty-five up, was
keenly contested, despite the presence
Of nine lions under the care Of their
tamer Mile Ella, says London Tit-Bits,
The scientific game Of chess was
played under similar disadyantageous
conditions some years since between
two enthusiasts, who pitted their skill
against each other in the cage Of lions
over which Macomo, the negro tanner
held stern rule. The players showed ex-
traordinary nerve under the unique and
very trying circumstances. and on their
game being brought to conclusion
proposed a second-a suggestion, how
ever, which did not meet with the APP
proyal Of the !ion-king, whose charges
were becoming ominously excited.
To drink a bottle Of champagne and
play a game Of cards in lions den was
the ambition which prompted butcher
10 enter a wild beasts cage at menag-
erie that was not long since on show at
Priyas, in the department of the Ar
deche, France. Before an excited crowd
Of spectators the butcher, having played
his game, opened his bottle and poured
out a glass Of wine, which he promptly
tossed of.
He then sang song, and having
helped himself to another glass offered
1t in a spirit Of reckless bravado to one
Of the lions, which. springIng upon him,
knocked him down and, before assist
ance could come. inflicted on him some
fearful wounds He was extricated at
last from his perilous position in an al
most dying state.
year since. when ping-pong was
the rage, Messrs. lizard and Barnard
played a game In a cage containing
fozen lions belonging to menagerie sta
toned at Brighton. The game was
twenty up for, It was announced, ESQ
aside. and when. after six minutes play,
the scor9 stood at nineteen all, it was
decided TO prolong it by FIVE more
points. Mr. Barnard ultimately proving
the victor The keeper, who was. of
course, present during the contest, kept
a yigilant eye upon his savage charges,
who seemed to have regarded the balls
az they fell around with apathetic Curl
osity and the players with tolerant good
nature.
Ned Stockman. clever lightweight
pugilist, who fiourished at the com
mencement Of the last century, was
once challenged to three-round glove
contest by a novice. conditionally on
the latter's choosing the venue, which.
on his rivals agreeing. turned out TO be
the lions cage belonging to Atkins
menagerie. The professional unwill-
ing to lose the c 10 which he had staked
on his success. turned up at the place
appointed: but the presence Of the
beasts although kept in subsection by
their keeper. 50 unnerved him that he
regigned the contest at the conclusion
Of the first round
For wager Of 5000 francs Maurice
bEiAiu hNttNA ~ NiAfl q nuns - anu
cycle round its occupants. two lions and
a linnezs. The feat took place at Himm's
meragerie IN Agen The beasts. which
stood with their keeper ia the center OF |
the cage. were passive enough at first,
but at length one Of the lions crouched |
TO spring and only a vigorous applica-
ton Of the whip averted a catastrophe |
Beriin In the meanwhile was complet- |
ing his task. and having made the stip-
ulated number OF circuits. left the cage
amid applause
A somewhat similar performance was
once successfully carried through by |
Richard Manks. the well-known pedes- |
trian who for a small wager. under
took to walk a mile round a lions den
Two animals under the supervision Of |
their keeper. we're present during the |
progress of the walk, which. the athlete |
used Afterwards 10 iaughingly aver. was
certainly accomplished In record time. |
FOR Marks. In his haste to get through |
with the orceal IS said to have paid |
but little regard to the rules Of fair
heel and toe"