The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1904-06-26

~ YIN LEE-N years dS lfdAAlbE anu
r. assistant superintendent OF mo
nagerie with Barnum & Bailey,
and more than a dozen as prin-
cipal keeper of the National Geological
Park, ought to give a man some ac-
quaintanco with the traits and habits of
animals, frcm the smallest to the great
est-from the most timid to the most
ferocious. Add to such an experience a
natural fondness for the great beasts
he handles so easily and gently ana u
natural aptitude FOR the work, end you
have man who can speak on these sub
jeets with the voice OF one having au-
thority.
Out at the Zoo the man IS 20 be found
by those who have business. That his
remarkable and unusual accomplish
ments should be regarded as a part of
the exhibit W. II. BlackbuTne would bit
terly resent; there are few persons so
filed with interesting and exciting
"reminiscences from whom il is so diff
cult 10 secure the details Of these dra-
matte events. 1t is just possible that
from long companionship with the cap
tiIred monarchs Of the wilds Mr.. Black
burne mas caught something of then
characteristics. at any rate he shrinks
from publicity and hesitates long and
dlffidentIy before he viii consent 10 tell
even a small part of that which he
knows
once started however, he talks with
animation-animation that Increases as
memory urges and the old drama of in
cessant incident sweeps across his mind
If ne be somewhat skepticGl as TO the
remarkable animal stories with which
4 -4r~ar1 M Il ~
are flooded, Il Is not, perhaps, a matter
for wonderment. for he lacks both the
incentive 20 elf-advertisement and the
desire 90 make a living outside the du-
ties of his business. Indeed, these AMI
NAL romances make him rather more
than gently weary.
Rot About the Animals.
There IS a lot Of rot told and written
about the habits of animals and their
occasional exhibitions Of remarkable in
teIligence," says Mr.. Blackburne. 'Ev-
erything that happens TO any one OF
them in the menageries and ZOOS of tho
country is worked for all the advertising
there IS IN IL, and some truly remark
able literary productions have been the
result OF the system. It's just possible
that In the old days I was responsible
for some of this sort of thing myself
but now II makes me III 20 read these
alleged descriptions OF what some AMI
mails do. I know too much about them
and their habits.
There Is little reason for all this
for IN fact the truth about animals
Is sometimes interesting enough. 1t Is
when everyday incidents are magnifec
&c the Importance of events and used
10 deceive the credulous public into tho
belief that they are either dangerou;
or unusual that I begain TO get tired
When YOU read all these stories abou
getting stray bits OF bone out Of tn
lions teeth or trimming the tiger
claws YOU may be at least REASONABLE
sure that an industrious press agent hat
been busily at work.
These things are 80 simple and easl
and Of such everyday occurrence the,
excite no comment whatever In any rea
zoo or menagerie. When we perform
these little operations out here we Sc
iect a rainy day, when there just al
few people as possible about. Whei
generous advertising IS desirable, now
ever, there IS always plenty of excite
ment and the animal patient is mad
20 go through his PAGES for the In
struction and admiration Of the crowd.
By Love of Adventure.
T, was the love OF adventure-of the
strange and unusual and the play Of
rand incicent-that led Mr.. Blackburn
20 Join Barnum g. Bailey. He confesse'
ne got what he was looking for IN
abundant measure and that when th'
first attraction had worn away and thu
business become a business, pure and
.tv,,ro he WAS not very sorry 70 ge'
out OF II. But the love Of animals and
the knowledge OF their habits linge1
snd are put 70 practical and valuable
use every day IN caring for the val
liable collection the Government hat
gathered from every part Of the eartl
and placed in the park.
Much OF Mr.. Blackburne's time as &
trainer Of animals was spent in th'
company Of what he calls big cats,
the animals. that IS. Of the tiger ant
lien species and others OF similar char
acters and traits. lie has had lots o.
experiences with them, some amusing
some that escaped being tragic by Z
very narrow margin only.
"Of all the CATS he says, II like the
lion best They are more easily trained
and much more straightforward thar
the tigers A Hon Is either good or bad
you can either mold him 10 your wishes
when you see that you can-or you car