SHOCKING DEATH OP A "LION KING."

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 19, Issue 1313, 1 May 1872, Page 2

SHOCKING DEATH OP A "LION KING."

A " lion tamer " attached to Manders' menagerie met with a dreadful death at Bolton on the night of January 10. Attached to the show was a man named Thomas Maccarte, whose professional appellation was " Massarti, the* Lion Tamer," and he at this extra performance entered the lions' den for the last time. Maccarte was a young man not more than 34 years old. He had had stern experience that ought to have taught him caution ; he had previously lost an arm when performing with Messrs 801 l and Myers's circus at Liverpool.' He had previously been trained by Messrs 'Batty as a lion tamer, and having joined them for a short time, he was engaged hy the late Mr Manders to succeed Maccomo. He was a very bold and adventurous man, and had been frequently cautioned respecting his rashness. The unfortunate man commenced his performances on Wednesday evening, when lie was hardly in a proper condition to do so ; and, having exhibited the gorilla and the serpents, he entered ihe lions' den. At this time it is calculated 500 or 600 persons were present, and the live lions in the den were put through their performances with the usual .success and applause. On all general occasions heated bars of iron and iron scrapers are in readiness, but on this fatal evening the matter had been neglected. The five lions were all powerful animals, and the unfortunate man, on entering the cage, noticed that a black-maned African lion - which had only so recently as the Monday before bitten his hand—appeared very restive. He consequently fixed his eyes on it, and this in somedegree diverted his attention from an Asiatic lion known by the name of "Tyrant," againsi whom he had been cautioned only that morning to keep caiefully to his instructions. Tt is necessary here to note that wh n pertorming lions are tamed, there is a line drawn, or what is known as " the office," in technical phra-eology, by which the beasts are taught to regard that line as a limit beyond which the performer must not pass, knowing that, if he does so, the consequence to be expected are most dangerous. The presumption is that this line was overstepped, and as Maccarte, who was attired as a Roman gladiator, was returning his falchion to its sheath, slipping, he fell on the floor of the den "Tyrant" fastened on him, seizing him by the haunches, and then the African lion fastened on his armle-s shoulder. Maccarte immediately called upon the keepers for help, and meanwhile to lire. He then drew the short Roman blade which formed part of his costume, and commenced fighting with the lion " Tyrant," thrusting the sword into it's face, mouth and eyes. The crowd, panic-stricken, crowded around, and effectually prevented the approach of the men who were used to the habits of the animals. Tie shouts of the audience, the desperate and manful struggle of the fated man, and the smell of the blood which was streaming from Maccarte, incited the other animals, and their savage instinct was awakened. A third lion—an Abyssinian, oneseized him by the ribs, and then a five-year-old lion, and an especial favorite of the lion-tamer, caught him by the head, literally scalping him, the flesh hanging downhis neck. The treacherous favorite had no sooner accomplished this work than he returned quietly to his corner. The deadly struggle progressed, and Mr Birchall, who had from the first been most active, placed iron scrapers in the fire to heat them. Pistols and guns were discharged, but they, unfortunately, were only loaded with blank cartridge, and the blazing of gunpowder failed to drive the animals from their quarry. Meanwhile the irons were heated, an iron shutter to separate the animals, in, the cage when an opportunity offered was in. readiness and Mr Birchall and an assistant succeeded in beating olf three of the animals, the fifth, having in. the time scented and tasted the blood which streamed, out of the carriage, added his fangs to those which had a'reauy played such havoc with the human form prostrate before them. The sliding- door was pushed in, three of the animals, being driven, away with hot irons, were separated, and then the lion that had seized Maccarte by the shoulder was.

driven in a corner. The shutter waspartially opened to drive him among; the others, when a fourth infuriated beast seized him just above the boos, and dragged him in again among them. Then the frightful work went on again for a few sickening and horrifying moments. Hot irons were now available, and the brutes being driven off, thepoor and almost pulseless piece of humanity was drawn out from the place it was fated he never more should enter. He sustained sufficient sensibility to speak to his warm-hearted colleagues a few faint words, praying them not to take him away to receive medical aid,. as he knew that he was a dead man. His anxious friends carried him.tenderly to the Infirmary, where, after a few moments, he breathed his last, after muttering a few incoherent sentences. As the shattered frame was borne past Mrs Manders, he faintly waved his hand, and g-ive her an expressive look, which conveyed the words that he was past alt hope of aid. Many of the shots tired enteied the bodies of the animals, and they received great injuries before they were driven off their prey. The lion Tyrant is three and a half years old, and had been brought up from a whelpby Mrs Manders. The animal having been a favorite, it was, during the early days of i\s training, allowed to run about that portion of the caravan used as a habitation, and it freely gambolled with its mistress. The sire of this animal was the one that nearly worried Maccomo some time ago.

A correspondent °f the Armidale* Express, an Australian paper, writing from Giuij a River, gives the following particulars of an encounter wioh a kangaroo :—As John Dixon was washing a dish of dirt he was startled by the noise of an old man kangaroo approaching him, with a pair of dogs in pursuit. The dogs ran the kangaroo into theriver. One of the dogs followed, but soon found his mistake, for he quickly went to the bottom—and so did the other in like manner. In the meantime Dixon was endeavoring, to cross over, as the dogs and kangaroo lay pretty well to the far side. Dixon happened to be in good time to save oue of the dogs, it being still under water when Dixon collared the old man. by tlie neck and gave him a swing, and solet the clog ftve. The kangaroo then, showed light to Dixon, who made several attempts to get on the bank to procure a weapon, but could not manage it for a considerable time. At last, however, he snceeded in. doing so, but his clothes were torn to pieces, and' there were several marks on his body. When out of the water the brute attacked him again, but with the help of. the dog he soon put a stop to the career of the kangaroo. This fierce animal measured in height eight feet six inches..

The (rial ai Versailles of the communist!-: charged with the murder of Archbishop Darboy and other hostages* is concluded. Genton was tha only prisoner sentenced to death. Several were sentenced to hard labor or transportation for life, and others to shorterterms of imprisonment Eight of the accused were acquitted, including Pi-g-.ure, who was so positively identified by manv witnesses as the commander of the tiring party. He had a very nairow escape, for it w:as only a day or so, before the close of; the trial that the real commander of the assassins was, arrested and brought into court. He beai>s an extraordinary resemblance to, Pigerre, which accounts for the- mistake* of the witnesses.

A testimonial, in a contemporary, to. the skill of a chiropodist, testifies, that " four or five years, ago he successfully, extracted several corns from, my feet without pain, as also, members of my family, and they have not returned cilice that time/' This operator should be consulted by those troubled, with., mpthers-in-law.

The mo3t remarkable instance of indecision ever heard of was that of the man who. sat up all night because lie could not decide which: to take off first,., his coat or his boots.

" That's, a pretty bird, grandma," said a little boy. " Yes," replied \ theold da rue, "aiitd he never cries. 1 ' "Thlit's... because he's never washed," replied, lljfc, youngster, v (