A Tiger-tamer Torn to Pieces.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 2, Issue 233, 4 January 1881, Page 2

A Tiger-tamer Torn to Pieces.

Mr. G. A. Courtney, proprietor and manager of the Zoological Circus bearing his name, wrote from San Domingo, W. 1., Sept. x 6, as under; —“ Last night at 10 o’clock the well-known liontamer, Herr Elijah Lengel, of Philadelphia Pa-j entered the den of Brazilian tigers attached to tips circus, and had nearly conduced his performance \vith them when he made a false step, and one of the tigers caught him by the head and neck, and in less than five seconds he was torn to pieces. His jugularvein was cut, his ear on the right completely eaten off, and his body was a mags of mangled flesh and bones. The tent was densely packed with people,, and the scene that followed it is jmpos-1 sible to describe. The guard and also a few private individuals commenced firing with rifles and revolvers at the tiger, and soon killed it, thereby enabling the attaches to drag the body of Lengel through the compartment. The remaining living tiger at once fell upon the dead animal in the presence of the audience, and tore it to fragments. No pen can describe the horror of the scene. Mr. Lengel’s remains were burned to-day (16th) at one o’clock, and were followed to the grave by the whole company and a large concourse of citizens, who manifested their deep sympathy at this terrible misfortune.”