A MAN’S ARM TORN OFF BY A LION.

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume X, Issue 1035, 11 February 1882, Page 4

A MAN’S ARM TORN OFF BY A LION.

A TELEGRAM in the Melbourne Herald gives the following fuller particulars of the accident at Vv ilson’s circus and menagerie at Aibury: —“ Wilsons circus and menauerte, pending its departure from Vi odonga by special train for Beechworth, was encamped on the Wharf Reserve. As there was considerable delay, and the weatner wasverv hot, the outer shutters of the lions’ cage were removed, in order to give the animals as much air as possible. The lions being thus expose d, a large crowd assembled to enjoy a cheap view of (hem, but, as a precautionary measure, two men attached to the circus were told off to wateh the cage, but in spite of the warnings given, John McPherson, a laborer, aged 40 vears, residing at Aibury, incautiously approached the cage, and before the men could pull him back coolly put his right hand through the bars, apparently with the intention of putting one of the lions. A eireus attendant, named Barrow, w ho instantly saw' toe danger, called out to McPherson, and sprang forward to seize him ami pull him back. Barrow, however, was too late, for the lion had with the quickness of lightning pounced upon McPherson's arm, and with such force that it was pulled off at the elbow, a large portion of the muscle above ti e elbow adhering to the lower joint which was taken into the cage by the animal. The severed portion ot the arm was then dropped by the lion, I and the lioness at once picked it up ' and proceeded to devour it. lljerltug, I the Lion King, however, was on the j spot, and bolillv entered the cage wi'h a crowbar, with which he freely bej labored the beasts into a sullen subi jection, and caused the lioness to give up the portion of the limb, which was at once recovered and thrown out of : the cage. Djerling’s conduct was eon- ! sidend most courageous, lor both the lion and lioness were in a state of great I excitement when he entered the eage. lln the meantime, McPherson had, | without a moment’s delay, been removed to the Aibury Hospital, where i the stump of the arm was promptly amputated at the shoulder, but the 'shock was of such a terrible nature that at first the recovery of the pa'iet t ' was regarded as almost impossible. ; Being a man of fairconstitulion, hopes i of his recovery are now entertained. :No blame is attached to the circus : people, the accident, being attributed ito the foolishness of McPherson himI self."