The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1914-06-22
Emerson Dietrich of Benson.
hurst. q Cornell Graduate,
Killed at Chicago.
ENTERS CAGE IN FIGHT
Animals Turn on Him at Once
-Dietrich's Parents Faint
Upon Getting News.

graduate and well known athlete, who
was acting as advance man for the Adgi,
Costello trained animal act in vaudeville
was torn to death by lions tonight when
he tried to separate the fighting animals
after walking into their cage absolutely
unarmed.
After their appearance AZ a local the.
atre the Costello lions were taken to the
railroad yards in n heavy cage TO b.
transferred to n box car. Dietrich wen,
along TO superintend the operation. Jus,
as the cage was backed UP to the caI
door the animals got into terrific fgh,
which seemed likely to end in some OF
them breaking away
Dietrich. who had a reputation for be.
ing absolutely fearless, opened the Gag
door and walked in. thinking his presence
would COW the fighting beasts.
Lion Springs ut Him.
While George McCord. the keeper OF the
animal stood at the door with n pitch
fork In hand Dietrich edged his way 10
the opposite end of the cage. 1t was his
intention to drive the lions toward the
door go that his work would be unham-
pered As he reached ono corner of the
cage Teddy. the most playful of the six
beasts, sprang toward him.
TEDDY. behave" commanded Dietrich.
at the same time trying to avoid the beast.
With its Jungle instinct the anima!
forced the keeper against the bars of
the cage. In another moment 1t had
pounced upon him. The animal fastened
It's teeth into Dietrich's throat and forced
him TO the floor.
TEDDY. Teddy" shouted McCord. at
the same time forcing back Trilby. a
loness. which sought to join in the a.
tack.
BY this time Dietrich had been dragged
or his feet. Teddy and the other lions
were tearing at his body.
Get down, Teddy. McCord. give him
the fork - Dietrich shouted. But McCord
dared not approach and Teddy no longer
responded to his masters command.
I'm gone" Dietrich moaned. Cant
you get him ofry'
Panic stricken, McCord jumped from
the car and ran for help. lie ran to a
nearby saloon and called wildly TO those
inside. but no assistance was forthcoming
He then seized the telephone and called
for the police
MEN. have you no heart?' he shouted
to those In the barroom after a second
pleading. out into the street the ex-
ing and he hailed 1t.
Help, help" he shouted The lions
have attacked the keeper
"A crazy man." suggested one OF the
passengers. The conductor pulled the
bell cord and the car started ON.
isn't there man among you?" yelled
McCord as the car started away. Three
men jumped from the rear platform and
followed the keeper back to the freight
yards.
Hes in there and the six lions are
eating him up McCord explained But
assistance was too late. The lions had
torn away Dietrich's clothing and were
gnawing at his body. McCord tried to
force the beasts away. They snarled
and growled. one of them sprane toward
the cage door and McCord scurried away,
Lioness Jump Out.
In his excitement McCord had left an.
other cage open, and Nellie. another lion
ess confined there sprang out. The beast
jumped from the car and circled around
| II. The three volunteers almost fright
ened to death, fled toward Clark street
McCord stood and faced the animal, and
| when she jumped to the platform beside
the car he coaXed her toward him and
succeeded in forcing a collar about her
neck. Then he led her back to the cage.
l.. c. Bell, an undertaken. who was
near by, ran TO his shop and brought
| back a large bottle of formaldehyde
When he returned Fireman Stetzel was
trying to spear the lions with pike
pole.
give them a little of this" shouted
Ball.
The fireman followed the suggestion
and began pouring the embalming fluid
into the cage, When the lions began to
scent 1t they backed away from their
victim
AS they were gradually forced into the
corner the throng that had now gathered
got a view of Dietrlch's body. His arms
and one leg were almost torn to shreds.
| While the firemen, with their pixies,
| prodded the lions into submission, Nc
| Cord slipped his arm in the cage and
| fastened Il rope about DetriCh's body.
| After more than an hours work. during
which time the lions made several at.
tempts to rescue their prey, the body was
| removed through the top OF the cage and
| was taken to a morgue,
Tho police then ordered McCord 10
| fasten tho cage, and the freight car was
sealed. McCord was taken to the Harr-
son street police station, where he told
| the story OF Dietrich's death.
Emerson Dietrich was the son of Ernest
@. W. Dietrich. n well to do architect with
offices at lis East Twcnty-oghth street
and handsome residence at S642 Bay
| Parkway, Bensonhurst. At 10 o'clock last
night n telegram from Chicago told Mr..
Dietrich that his son had been killed. He
fell in a faint and his wife. picking up
| the telegram, read 1t and fell beside him.
Physicians who were called had Trouble
| In reviving them.
Young Dietrich, who was "a years old,
| was the second of five sons. He was a
graduate of Erasmus Hall High School,
| where he made "A reputation as an athlete,
| and from there went to Cornell. After
his graduation the family wanted him 10
study profession, but he said he wanted
to see the world and spend two years
travelling about the country. Part OF the
time he was member of crack water
polo team which toured from Maine to
| California.
| A year ago he signed up with the Cos
| tello act.