New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-08-01
B0NAVITA HURT AGAIN.
.1RN TORN TO SHREDS.
Trainer Has Narro1C Escape IN IN
other Fight zcith Lions.

Captain Jack Bonavita had his right arm
and hand literally torn to shreds last night III
a fight witt. two Of his lions Bostock's ami
NAL show in Dreamland. Coney Island. Inc
doctors feared at first that amputation would De
necessary The captain abandoned his twenty
seven lion act With the performance last Thurs
day but decided 10 continue With smaller
group.
The trouble began at the afternoon perform
ance. The Captain bringing eight lions
into the arena for the act called Thirty Min
utes with the Lions" Denver, one OF the
largest OF the beasts. became aroused by the
smell Of the fresh meat I'm the trainers pocket
and began to show fight. The Captain was
obliged TO remove his pets. after vain at
tempt 10 quiet Denver. On the way out the in
fuIiated brute made a dash at him and tore off
his coat. He failed to inhict wound. how
ever.
Undeterred by this experience, the captain
prepared for the evening performance. He had
three of the animals in and returned for the
other FIVE. They rebelled at the cages and
fought in the narrow passage. The audience
heard several shots in quick succession. The
next instant the lions rushed out, Denver and
Baltimore in fierce battle and beyond all con-
troll. Bonavita interfered. Baltimore left his
antagonist and sprang at the trainer. The cap
tain stepped back and interposed the long iron
prod that he uses in emergencies. 1t was use
less. The great maddened brute hurled him.
self against the iron with such force that the
captain was thrown against the side of the
arena and then to the floor. The iron fence
shook with the force OF the blow.
In an instant Baltimore pounced on his fallen
master. a cry of horror rose from the specta-
tors. Several women tainted. Then with a
snarl at the other lions. who stood ready TO
claim their share of the prey the brute seized
the man by the right hand with his teeth and
dragged him 20 the front of the arena.
Meanwhile attendants had rushed to the res
cue. From the outside of the enclosure seven
of them fired a dozen rounds of shots from
their revOlvers before Baltimore would release
his hold. Then the captain staggered to his
feet and rushed through the door. The eight
lions were in pursuit. He was not quite quick
enough. however. The wounded and thoroughly
Inaddened Baltimore hurled himself through
the air and caught the captain with his claws
near the shoulder.
At this point ne met by several armed at
PENDANTS and the brutes were beaten Oft while
the door closed. Though faint with pain
and loss OF blood. the captain had attendant
bind his wound temporarily. and then returned
TO the arena. where he forced the enraged beasts
to their cages
After an examination the doctor said that sew
erai tendors were badly laccrated and some of
them severed. He said the use OF two fingers
permanently gone. There will he great
danger OF blood poisoning for several days, but
the doctors hope 10 avoid an amputation Of the
arm
A little incident Of the afternoons battle
aroused a cry Of admiration from the audience.
While Bonavita was beating of the two unruly
lions a young sparrow fell from its nest on the
rafters directly IA front ~ one Of the lions II
closely followed by the terrified mother
bird. Baltimore made a move 10 seize the help
less bird I'm his huge mouth Bonayite was too
quick for him. Making an extra effort he drove
the brute back for moment Then at the risk
of his life he stepped quickly hack. picked up
the sparrow and running 10 the edge Of the
arena placed il out OF harms way.
Mr. Bostock said last night that he had pro-
tested against the taking ~ eight lions into the
arena Yesterday. but the captain had insisted.
and he mad finally given a reluctant permission.
He was greatly grieved AZ the outcome.