Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-07-24
aaliseellaneuus Rsaains,
LION OR TIGER NEVER TAME
Man Eaters May Keep on Good seha-
vior Through Fear.

show a fine collection Of scars which
were caused by the indiscretions OF
alleged tame animals.
On several occasions he has savec
his life only by reason of his QUICK
wit and iron nerve, and the fact thai
he never has hesitated to use gur
or club when his pets have shown ar
inclination TO go on a rampage.
You've seen Stevenson if you ever
visited the beautiful park out on the
Charles river, where you must have
observed tall, pleasant-featureo
man. whose brown hair is fast turning
gray, working about the animal cages
If you've an observing turn of mind
you will notice he walks with pro-
nounced limp. You will also see an
ugly scar on his left hand.
If he happens to be in talkatlVe
mood, he'll tell the story about the
scar and limp. He'll perhaps also tell
about his experience with the man.
eating tiger, Rajah, and if you get To
know him really well, he'll show you
a gold medal that he received from
Bostock, of wild animal fame.
The inscription reads:
presented to Samuel stevenson by
Frank B. Bostock for bravery shown
at indianapolis Zoo, February Is,
1901"
His experience with Rajah was one
of the most exciting that Stevenson
has experienced in the years he has
been associated with animals.
Raiah heard the call of the wild
one day in Indianapolis, when a
young man who worked as assistant
keeper was in his cage. In an instant
the man was knocked to the floor and
Rajah, with all the pent-up ferocity
of years, was at him.
In another instant, Sam Stevenson,
armed only with a broom, was fight
ing the mad beast away from his
captive. Rajah turned aside from his
first victim for an instant to attack
Stevenson.
In the meantime, assistants, armed
with red-hot iron prongs and re-
volvers, had driven the beast away
and Stevenson, with the mangled body
of his friend, stepped out of the cage.
Despite all efforts the injured man
died soon after he was taken out or
the cage. Stevenson was laid up for
q time by reason of his injuries. but
when he recovered, went back to his
job.
It's impossible to tame any lion or
tiger. 1t can't be done, and all this
talk about wild animals being trained
is nothing but bosh," is the way
stevenson puts it.
"A lion may be on his good behavi-
or for Il week. Apparently he has
quite forgotten his savage desires and
is as tame as a pet cat. Then. with
out wa ming, he is likely to spring at
his keeper and do his best to devour
him. Make the animals realize you
are the boss and never take your eyes
off them. If you turn your back, it's
goodnight
"I never go into a cage without a
revolver loaded with blanks and 1 also
have an iron club. It's we'll also to
have the keepers outside with their
iron prongs. Sometimes when the
beasts are unusually ferocious, it's
necessary to have the irons heated
red-hot."
The big scar that may be seen on
Stevenson's left hand was caused by
scratch from the lion Denver,
which was inflicted some years ago
when the Bostock show was in Bos-
ton.
For some time after that, the lion
tanner was a patient at st. Elizabeth
hospital. For a time the doctors
thought amputation Of the arm would
be necessary, but, while it was ulti-
mately saved, the member has never
recovered its full strength.
On another occasion when Steven
son proved his medal and received
serious injuries, the show was at Man.
haitian Beach. A pair of young tiger
cubs turned on Alec Day. one of the
keepers, and bore him to the ground.
Stevenson jumped to his friends
assistance Armed with a sharp
pointed iron prong he drove the
snarling cubs away and dragged his
friend to safety. Day was badly in
jured and his rescuer still wears a
scar of the battle on his left arm and
hand.
He had a narrow escape on another
occasion when Emperor, a magnificent
specimen Of African lion. turned upon
him while he was putting the animal
through his PAGES.
After a terrible tussle. in which
gun and iron bar were brought into
play, the man was declared the vic
tor He left the cage a master, but
with several broken bones, a badly
lacerated hand and minus two quarts
Of blood.
Strangely enough. these narrow es-
ca pes do not seem TO have had any ef-
feet upon StevenSOn'S nerves. He has
the perfect poise of a man whose
nerves are under absolute control, and
is calm in any emergency.
IF an animal keeper loses his
nerve. he NAV as well get out Of the
business" said Stevenson Il never
think of my mishaps when I go into
their cages. But I'm always on my
guard.
There's strange fascination
about the business in spite of all its
dangers. If a man stays i'm it any
length of time it gets such hold on
him that it's hard to get away"
During the time Stevenson was
with the Bostock show. he travelled all
over this country and Europe. He
played a big part in the training Of
the wonderful group Of - lions, the
largest collection of its kind in show
history
Lions are slow pupils, says Steven
son. but never forget a trick once they
have mastered it. OF all wild ami
mails. he says, tigers are the most