The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-04-06
IN THE LIONS DEN.
A Unique Marriage Ceremony Which

A Unique Marriage Ceremony Which
 Looked Dangerous, But Wasn't
 With the jungle rendition of Men delssohn's Wedding March" and by the light of 100 candles burning in what may, be termed their wedding cage, MT. Charles Carleton and Miss. Katherine Carrie were married last week by the Rev. Frank R. Hurtt, in cage with five lions at the Zoo. North Avnue and Oak street. The lions did not seem to mind it much, says the Baltimore Suu
 The wedding was the result of dec laration on the part of the manage ment that money would be given any couple who would be married in a cage with the trained animals. It was the purpose of bringing attention to the Zoo and attracting a large crowd at advance prices. There were many skeptics in the audience, and many left, yet doubting that the ceremony was a bona fide one. But man and a woman entered the cage with re- gularly ordained local minister, known as the vice. president of the Local Preachers association; five lions were then admitted, placed on a ladder, and the usual marriage ceremony of the Methodist Episcopal church was read, after which the minister filled in the regulation certificate, which reads: This is to certify" etc. The press agent said that $25O in gold was given the couple.
 At any rate, just before the great and only marriage act was to have ap- peared, the electrics for some unknown reason refused to work, and the lglts went out. Candles were brought and placed between the bars of the circu- lar cage and lighted. Finally, after what proved a vexatious delay to the impatient woman in the audience, 1t was announced that the ceremony would take place by the light of the candles, if the audience so desired. It did
 The couple then entered the empty cage, preceded by the minister and several trainers. They were led to the front with their back to the animals run. The crowd was exhorted to re- main silent until after the ceremony, and the five lions were brought in and placed on the pyramid.
 Miss Carrie was dressed in ] laven- der gown of mode cloth and wore white gloves While her color seemed high in the candle light she appar- ently had more courage and was cal- mon +he,, 4l a erroOy,o ,,,h, 1,ro,. n,,,,,,,,t led by one of the employees of the Zoo, who stod boack to back with him. Charleston wore an ordained business suit of black, ith White scarf and patent leather shoes.
 While the trainers cracked their whips and the Hons yawned, Mir. Hurtt proceeded with the ceremony until it was time to produce the ring, which MT. Carleton did placing it carefully where the lions could not get it with out damaging his ladys hand.
 Just as the ceremony was concluded one of the lions jumped from his perch. and several squeamsh per sons thought the proper time had come to fear and tremble. Two women &C., eordngly tainted, and were carried through the throng, but the Henry lion was soon back on his perch, with neither the groom nor bride aware that the animals were roaming about behind them.
 Finally, when the ceremony was over, the lions were bidden to arise and go from the festive cage to the smaller ones in which they find their nights slumber. As the ceremony had caused them to sit longer than cus- tomary in one position. the Maudy lions seemed bored by the whole pros ceedings, and behaved In anything but t1e recognized manner of guests at a wedding.