The Coolidge examiner., 1934-01-12
LIVE LION Bellies
WILD YARN WHEN
TAKEN TO COURT
Publicity About His Escape
Causes Panic in English
Community.

London.-"Let the lion be brought
before the court" commanded the
magistrate OF the Chichester Police
court. in West Sussex, England, and
Immediately between two policemen
there was ushered in a once proud
monarch of the African jungle. He
was collared and chained. He seat
ed himself on his launches, yawned,
and then stretched out and went to
sleep. His custodians, each hold
ing an end Of the chain. seated
themselves in chairs at his side.
The case was formulated against
four men who were accused Of con-
spring "to commit a public mis-
chief" and was prosecuted by the
West Sussex police. The alleged
conspiracy was set forth In the sum-
monses to the effect that the four
defendants-Butlin, proprietor OF
amusement fairs; Josie. his mana
ger; Proctor. a publicity man. and
Wensley, a farmer-had by means
of certain false statements induced
the credulous but affrighted public
to believe that a lion. known as
Rex, had escaped from a circus van
near Bognor Regis, killed and mu-
tilated n sheep, and was spreading
terror in the countryside.
Opens Lions Mouth.
Before the case was dismissed
with a warning to the four "conspir-
ators," the following evidence had
been presented:
Rex was first called to the stand.
but as he declined TO bulge, the
prosecutor approached him, dar-
ingly opened the lions mouth, and
said:
"Here is evidence tending to dis
prove the allegation against this
noble animal; he did not slay the
sheep. Had he desired to do so he
could not have performed the act.
AS your lordship will observe, he
has no teeth. He could not hurt a
kitten"
There remained, however. the
news bulletin sent to London by
Proctor. II was headed Lion Hunt
by Moonlight; Escaped From Lorry /;
Still at Large; From Our Special
Correspondent"
The paper which published ii had
a story on the following day head
ed: Great Lion Hunt; Holiday
Makers Armed With Rifles"
The prosecutor read q report that
REX, the forest-bred Nairobl llon,"
was captured in a field at Pagham
after being at large for 80 hours.
Because of these reports, contin-
ued the prosecutor. schools were
closed. houses barricaded and little
children were found crying In the
streets. He proceeded to read
statement by the farmer Wensley.
Plant Slain Sheep.
On the eve OF the alleged escape
of Rex, Proctor approached him and
asked If he had an old sheep that
was no good.
Il said, Yes, have got plenty :"
the statement continued.
leave me 80 shlllings for it He
said. viii you get him killed for me
and throw him in the hedge. as there
is a lion loose. Cut 1t about as
though 1t had been mauled.'
II got the shepherd to kill the
sheep and leave it in the field for
a few hours. He killed 1t in
a proper manner, and there was no
cruelty"
THAT. think" continued the
prosecutor, will convince your lord
ship that the witness can in no way
be considered particeps criminis,
particularly as one of our con-
stables found him quietly reposing
In his cage behind a screen at the
very moment that the llbels against
him were being published in Lon
don.
Furthermore, as I have been as
sured by the defendants that they
have no desire TO attempt TO con-
trovert the evidence | have present
ed, | recommend them to the mercy
of the court"