South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1914-06-22
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CHICAGO, June 22-Set upon by
five angry, half famished lions. un-
armed and with an aged lioness as his
only protector. EmmersOn ID. Dietrich
of Brooklyn, New York. d Cornell
graduate and manager OF trained
animal act, fought a thrilling but fu-
tile battle for his life in a box car in
the yards of the Santa Re railroad at
Clark and Sixteenth streets Sunday
afternoon.
Before aid could reach Dietrich he
had practically been torn TO bits by the
Infatuated Ions which crOuched over
the bleeding body refusing 20 permit
IL to be dragged from the cage until
they had been forced away by the
fumes Of formaldehyde Nearly every
bone in Dietrichs body had been
broken and it had been gOred beyond
recognition by the beasts.
While the lions were tearing Diet
rich limb from limb his fiance, the
real animal trainer in charge OF the
beasts, was telling Cy DeVry, head
animal keeper at Lincoln Park, that
her lions were the tamest in captivity
and not dangerous. A telephone mes
sage informing her OF tragedy inter-
rupted her remarks to DeVry.
Engaged 20 Lion Tanner.
Dietrich was manager OF the animal
act called Mile. Adgie's performing
lions" and was engaged TO the hon
tanner. They were 20 be married at
Atlantic City. where they were TO open
for performances next week.
The lions, ten in number, were in
two cages placed inside box car. This
afternoon Dietrich went 10 the car TO
wate- the animals and prepare the
car for its trip while his fiancee, Ad-
gle Castillo. went to Lincoln park TO
visit Cy DeVry.
Dietrich found George McCard, an at
tendant. in charge of the car
These fellows are pretty mean to-
day with the weather" McCord says
he remarked 10 Dietrich as the latter
entered the car 20 water the beasts
and clean the car.
Never Hurt Me"
They never would hurt me in
thousand years" said Dietrich as he
opened the cage and slammed ii be-
hind him.
"TriIby." an old lioness, rolled on
her back and struck at Dietrich play
fully as he walked past her.
Look out, boss warned McCOrd.
Don't be a coward" returned Diet
rich; they are just playing. Just
then there was a yellow flash through
the air and before McCord could shout
out a warning Teddy" a young lion,
had thrown himself upon Dietrich and
had knocked him across the cage.
The lions claws slashed into Diet
riCh's shoulder and the blood was
flowing when McCord sprang to his
feet and grabbed a pitch fork. -Four
other lions had joined Teddy, SroWl-
ing loudly and flashing their tails along
the side OF the cage, Teddy made
another spring toward the bleeding
man. but the aged lioness Jumped IN
front OF Dietrich as though TO protect
him and swerved the angry lion 20 one
side. Dietrich was trying to force his
way to the door Of the cage, but was
caught in the rush Of the other lions
and went down under the growing,
ClaWing, biting, scratching mass. old
.Trilby" was pushed aside.
Couldn't Use Fork.
McCord had grabbed pitch FORK
but the lack of room prevented its use
and he was unable 10 get the tines IN
10 the car.
with one last cry Of My God get
me out OF here Dietrich fell to the
floor again as Teddy" hit him with
his paw. a blow that McCord saw slash
open his chest from shoulder to
shoulder. McCord ran from the car
into the street shouting for help.
Within a short time two wagon
loads OF policemen and the fire de-
partment apparatus arrived at the
scene.
An effort vas made 10 get the body,
hut the lions refused TO back away.
Blows on the shouts from short
sticks and clubs only brought angry
snarls and blows at the bars with paws
FINALLY McCOrd got hold of the belt
that was around Dietrich's waist ana a
rope was tied 20 this. The body was
lifted TO the top OF the cage and held
there while men kept the lions away