Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1909-12-28
BILLIE AND IDEL
DIE OF POISONING
Ate the Deadly Ptomaine in
Bad Meat, 1t Is Thought,
and Passed Away


Billie. the big lion at Grant park. and
Idel, his mate. arc dead.
They passed away Saturday, one in the
morning and the other in the afternoon.
Last Monday morning Billie refused to
eat, and sulked in a far corner of his
cage Keeper Sorrow thought he was
mad about something, and left his food
where he could get it when he changed
his mind But Billie did not change his
mind He was sick and Monday after
noon his keeper realized it. Steps were
taken Immediately.
VETERINARY SUMMONED.
Veterinarian Carnes was summoned
and diagnosed tine lions symptoms as
best he could. Which, of course wasn't
much. He decided Billie had touch of
pneumonia and stomach trouble. The last
part of the diagnosis was right-Billie
had ptomaine poisoning.
1t is a disease, as everyone knows
that causes intense suffering. But Billie
bore it with heroic fortitude, as becomes
the king Of beasts. Not a groan escaped
him. He would lie for long time IN
corner. pain showing IN his big, fiery
eyes Then he would leap to his feet,
growl angrily, and pace the floor of his
cage in agony.
NEVER ATE A BITE.
He never ate bite. Keeper SORROW
Dr. Carnes, and Joe Ferari-proprietor
of an animal show now camped in the
city, who was called in for his large eX-
perience with lions-did all they could to
stimulate an appetite. They wanted
Billie to eat, so they could put medicine
in his food. They did not know. for GER
tain, that he was poisoned, and dying, by
degrees. They thought he had severe
cold. accompanied by the usual disor-
dered stomach.
IDEL'S SILENT SUFFERING.
Meanwhile, Idel-the beautiful. tawny
lioness that has been Bllie's mate ever
since he came to Grant park-lay sick in
her cage, and suffered in silence. She
had got a part of the deadly ptomaine,
too. Nobody suspected, though, that she
was really in pain. Keeper Sorrow, and
the others, thought she was merely de-
spondent because of Billies illness.
Toward the last. however, as day fol-
lowed day, and Billie still ate nothing
and Idel refused to leave the far corner
of her cage except for an occasional fren-
zy, the men who had been doing every
thing they could think of-in vain-to
relieve the splendid sufferers, began to
perceive that they were sick beyond hui
man aid. 1t would probably have been
impossible-even had they known positive
ly of the ptomaine-to administer an an
tidote owing to the lions strength and
fierceness.
BAD MEAT SUSPECTED.
Bad meat, it is thought, is responsible
for the loss of Grant parks two finest
animals. In the future, needless to say,
it will be a bit more selected. and exam.
ined.
Josiah Carter" was the name of Bill
lies predecessor. He was secured for the
200 through the offrts of The Journal.
About three years ago he died. Billie and
Idel took his place about six months lat
en- They were bought by the city, and
cost several thousand dollars. They were
both young. being less than six years old.
They had never been sick before, to
amount to anything. and they were unus-
ually tractable. Except. of course, last
week. which was nothing more than was
to be expected.
... BURIAL IN PARK.
Billie and Idel will be buried in the
park under a weeping willow tree. Hun
dreds of little children who loved to 90
to the zoo and watch them in awestruck
fascination trembling when they roared,
dreaming about them in their Nightmares,
will be allowed to put flowers on their
grave, and cry, if they feel like it.
INSCRIPTION STARTED.
subscription list has already been
started to replace them credit being due
to George Eubanks, who came to The
Journal office as soon as he heard they
were dead, and subscribed $40 as a
starter.
Who else wants to help? Small amounts
will be preferable, and properly so. For,
unless the city buys more lions, there are
lots and lots of people who would like
to own a share in the new ones.