Tulsa daily world. [volume] (Tulsa, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1905-1919, 1913-08-17
WONDERFUL GRIP
Of animal WORK
1HtT INDLSCRlBNBLE "SONE-
THING" THAT MAKES THEM
Rl~k THEIR LIVES.
MI S FL0lIHE'S RGl 0fS.
petite Iittlc Wizard Win ~ g.
Barnes Show says She is narpy
When IN the Myuagc

What is the fascination that temp,s
people to undertake dangerous. death
delNing frals? Money one might
naturally answer first More fire.
Queutly, however, II is something
else, But what Is thu. Gometning.
is II an irresistible desire to become
the master of dangerous game, or
Just the whim TO win the pluudits Of
the populuct'
Miss Martha Florine, little lady
who miuElos daily with the mau-cat-
ing lcopards and lions with the Al
q. Barnes Circus, was asked this
question.
"l can't describe IT," came the re-
ply, Just what the magnetism was
thai first attracted me and suLl keeps
me in this work, Is quite beyond my
ability TO analy1e," said the little
Miss.
NO, it isn't money Not now at
least, for my savings are ample for
all future needs 1t isn't a daredevil
spirit, for there's none Of that in my
makeup. Neither do / think the app
plaudns crowds influence me greatly
any more. must admit, though,
that the applause of a large audience
is very eNhiliratlng to me after I
have succeeded in getting my big kit
ties TO do something really clever
NO one can answer your question,
What this remarkable something is,
is mystery ! do know, however,
that It holds one completely sub
seryient TO it's tantalzing influence,
and 10 break away seems almost i'm
possible
Miss Florine has been a trainer Of
wild animals in the Barnes managerie
for the past seven years. There t.
probably no other woman In the en-
tire world who has appeared before
more people than has this enohant-
ress Of the ferociOus animals.
yes, was born in France, and
came to America twelve years ago.
How did ] come to take up animal
training?
"Probably a visit to the great Zoo
in Central Park, New York shortly
after my arrival was the cause. II
was there that l first saw wild ami
mails. saw the keepers handling
"A leopard. Their work seemed cruel
and crude to me. There must be a
better way ! thought kinder, more
patient way, at least
Then it was that the undefinable
"somcthing" YOU have asked mo to
describe siezod me, and right there
decided TO become the trainer Of wild
animals.
"My first pupil was leopard
Perhaps that's the reason I'm espcc-
tally fond of lcopards. lie was
sur'y fellow, too, and very dull to
learn, which proved a very good thing
for me. In his training ! came 10
know pretty thoroughly the funda.
mental principals of wild animal
training IT also gave me firm grip
ON my nerve and some insight into
the infinite patience required.
"That was IL years ago. Since
then ! have trained nearly 200 Wild
administrations, tigers, lcOpards and
Jaguars.
"Are you not afraid when in a cage
of the dangerous b asts, the writer
asked
"You bet, I'm afraid, and quite OF.
ten, too. The animals don't suspect
It though. for that would be fatal
Why if one of those lions l am train
ing and working now should get an
inkling that ! am afraid Of him
(Which ! am) he would take the
greatest delight in making a meal OF
me.
THE feat ] experience is not caus-
ed by going among and handling the
beasts, but is due TO the unexpected
situations which suddenly arise and
place one in an extremely dangerous
position. An animal trainer must be
ever alert to avoid just such cases
] always enter the arena without the
least thought of danger, but many