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Tiger Articles:

DESTRUCTION OF A TIGER.
The Australian
Date: Sept 21, 1827
Page Number: 3

Some weeks since, we gave an account of a tiger having escaped from the menagerie of some itinerant showman, and which was at large in the forest. We have now learned that the animal has been destroyed, after having committed ravages amongst the sheep flocks in the neighbourhood to a considerable extent. It seems that above a hundred sheep have been preyed upon by the ferocious beast since he made his escape. His devastations have lately been confined in the neighbourhood of Farmesfield, in this county; and were of so serious description, that the farmers agreed to subscribe a sum of money to be paid to any person who should destroy it. In consequence of this, seven resolute fellows armed themselves with guns, and went in pursuit of it. He had been seen at the [? reminder of article indecipherable?]

Escape of a Tiger.
The Sydney Monitor and Commercial Advertiser (N.S.W.)
Date: May 13, 1839
Page Number: 2

On Sunday evening great alarm was experienced in the Commercial-road, Ratcliff, by the escape of a large Bengal tiger from Wombwell's menagerie, at Limehouse, near the Regent's canal Dock-bridge. It appeared that the animal broke loose from its den about half-past seven o'clock, and found its way into the Commercial-road, where it was first seen leisurely walking along by Mr. Thomas, a boot and shoe-maker in Ratcliff highway. He first observed the animal near the White Horse-gate, and, supposing it to be a bear, called out to a female who was near him, "Stand back, here is a bear coming!" The young woman immediately threw off her patterns, and ran away down an ajoining street leading towards Shadwell, and was not seen again.

Directly afterwards the tiger passed Mr. Thomas, who had sought refuge in a door-way. After the tiger had passed him, Mr. Thomas lost no time in communicating the circumstance to all the policemen in the vicinity, who proceeded in various directions, and warned the passengers of the contiguity of the dangerous beast. The tiger in the mean time continued his course along the Commercial-road, the people flying In great terror on his approach, until he met a large mastiff dog, which he instantly attacked, striking the dog on the back with his paw and crushing him with a single blow, and seizing the poor animal with his teeth threw him into the air. The dog fell lifeless on the ground, and the tiger then continued to amuse himself with the carcase for some time, running up and down the road with it until he reached a house near the bridge. The gate of the garden having been left open, he entered with his prey and laid down to devour it. The only per son at home was a servant girl, the family being absent at church. Hearing a noise in the garden she took a light, and went to the door to ascertain the cause. On opening the door several policemen called out to her to close it directly, and keep within the house; and it was fortunate she did so, for at that moment the tiger, attracted by, the light, was about to spring upon her.

The tiger remained in the garden for some time, busily engaged in devouring the dog, until a policeman, more bold than the rest, advanced towards the spot, and closed the gate upon it. A stout rope was immediately procured, and a slip noose having been made, it was thrown across the animal, which made a sudden spring towards the railing, about six feet in height, separating the garden from the foot path. In doing so, the noose fastened itself round it, and the tiger remained with its head towards the ground, and loins on the rails for some time, roaring tremendously and alarming the whole neighbourhood.

 The mob, which had kept at a respectful distance while the animal was at liberty, now advanced; but although the beast was under some restraint, it struggled violently, and made use of its fore paws. One man, an Irish coal whipper, who got too near, had his cheek torn open and his belly severely lacerated. So great was the curiosity of the populace, that the police had great difficulty in keeping them beyond the reach of danger and some fool hardy, half-drunken ballast-getters and coal whippers were, with some difficulty, restrained from making an attack upon the tiger.
The keepers of Wombwell's menagerie were soon apprised by the police, and brought ropes, which they fastened round the tiger's neck, and after a good deal of resistance led him back to his den. One of the keepers was severely injured while securing the animal, which tore his hand, and put him in great pain. It was some time before the neighbourhood recovered from the alarm which this event occasioned. It appears that the door of the tiger's den had been incautiously left open, and it broke a chain by which it was secured to the side of the cage or caravan, and got out.

A Menagerie in a Storm
The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, S.A.)
Date: Dec 31, 1872
Page Number: 3

A correspondent of the Inter-Ocean, writing from Iowa, describes a terrible scene caused by a menagerie being attacked by a heavy thunderstorm in the dead of night. Mr. Forepaugh's establishment, consisting of a menagerie, museum, and circus, exhibited at De Wit, Ohio, on August 17, and at midnight started for Davenport. At Pleasant Hill, a small village, it encountered one of the most terrific storms of thunder, lightning, and rain ever experienced in that part of the country. It was about 2 o'clock on Monday morning when the storm broke upon the canvas. There were 175 dens or cages of wild beasts and birds, a museum equipage, baggage waggons, &c, drawn by 500 horses, and following the great chariot. This, in turn, was preceded by a dozen camels and the elephant Romeo, jun.

As the storm increased in fury, the chariot horses became unmanageable and started off at a speed. The camals, unable to stand, crouched down by the roadside, trembling with fear, and the elephant lay in the middle of the road and stubbornly refused to rise, completely preventing the further progress of the long train of cages, which were scattered along the road for nearly two miles. The animals, thoroughly frightened, mingled their yells and roars with the deafening thunder, and bounded from side to side of their narrow cages with tremendous force. This caused many of the horses to follow the example of those before the chariot, and as no further progress could be made, the whole train soon became inextricably confused. The driver of the lion was hurled from his seat by the falling of the wheel horses, and over went the cage containing four large lions.

The museum waggon was struck by lightning. And yet the worst had not yet come. The awful fury of the storm and the terror of the scene demoralised about twenty drivers, who deserted their horses and fled to the wood. One of these cages left driverless contained a gnu, or horned horse, a vicious brute, and the horses plunging from one side of the road to the other, overturned the cage, causing the top to break open. Instantly the brute leaped into the road, and overturning a cage filled with monkeys darted off into the woods.

 The situation of the caravan at this juncture was very critical. There was the pitch black darkness of the night contending with the lurid glare of the lightning. There was the drenching rain pouring down in sheets. There was the almost constant roar of thunder. The roar of enraged tigers, the neigh of frightened horses, the wail of a hundred animals—some to be feared and others to be pitied—were all concentrated. Trees fell around. Horses dashed hither and tither, crashing the vans which they drew, and scattering their contents. One of the drivers, who still remained faithful and courageous, was killed in his seat by a shock of lightning. Colonel Forepaugh, who had come up as rapidly as possible, on realising the danger of the situation, ordered the horses to be detached from the animal cages, and the waggons coralled. The lion cage was righted, and a detail sent to recapture the escaped gnu.

Daylight dawned, and the storm abated. Ten horses had been killed by lightning, four drivers were injured seriously, and one killed. With the assistance of the farmers in the vicinity the menagerie people soon put matters in a presentable shape.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: Apr 23, 1859
Page Number: 6

Henry Billing, the proprietor of a species of menagerie in Bourke-street, was summoned, at the instance of the Corporation, for allowing a ferocious animal, to wit a tiger, to be at large on Saturday, the 16th inst., to the danger of the lives of the public. The fact having been proved of the tiger being at large, Mr. Hamilton Stephen addressed the Bench in defence, and said Mr. Billing evinced sincere regret for the untoward occurrence, and was extremely anxious for the recovery of the unfortunate man who had been so terribly mauled by the animal. He said the accident had happen through "over-caution" on the part of the defendant, who had, in his anxiety to prevent the possibility of the animal's getting loose, changed its cage the day previous to the accident, and had placed two men specially to watch it. They had neglected their duty. Mr. Billing had paid the poor man’s expenses, and, from inquiry made at the Hospital, had every reason to hope for his speedy recovery. He even was willing to have tho tiger destroyed, notwithstanding that it had cost him £250. The Bench said that was quite unnecessary. All that the public required was, that if they were invited to see these animals, great precaution should be taken to prevent the possibility of an accident happening through their getting loose. Mr. Martin recommended the animal being in future kept in a very strongly-built cage; having been assured that it was now perfectly secure, he discharged the case.

The Maitland Mercury & Hunter River Advertiser (N.S.W.)
Date: Apr 26, 1859
Page Number: 3

No slight alarm was caused in Melbourne on the 16th by the escape of a tiger from the menagerie in Bourke street. The animal did not do any serious injury ; but, after devouring two or three fowls, gripping a Chinaman by the shoulder, and seizing a horse by the hind leg, he was driven into his cage by Mr. Billing, the "Lion King."

Frightful Accident at Watson’s Bay
Queanbeyan Age & General Advertiser (N.S.W.)
Date: Jan 5, 1861
Page Number: 5

Yesterday afternoon, as West, the keeper of Mr. Billing's Menagerie, at Watson's Bay, was engaged in clearing out the tiger's cage,'the tiger flew at him, seizing hold of his right hand and tearing it off. The remainder of the arm for some distance above the elbow was fearfully lacerated. It appears that West, as usual, stood in front of the cage with a long iron rod hooked at one end, for the purpose of removing some rubbish in the bottom of the den, when the tiger sprung at him. As may be readily imagined the utmost consternation prevailed amongst the visitors who witnessed the accident, and the news spread with, the utmost rapidity. The wounded man was conveyed to the Sydney infirmary, where he now lies in a very precarious state. Up to a late hour last night his system had not sufficiently recovered from the shock to justify the surgeon in doing anything further than administering stimulants. It will be necessary to amputate the arm close to the shoulder.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Date: Feb 19, 1861
Page Number: 5

John West, the assistant-keeper at Billing’s menagerie, Watson's Bay, has died from the injuries which he received from the Bengal tiger. It will be remembered that, attempting incautious familiarity with the savage brute, the man's arm was so torn that amputation became necessary.

An Escaped Lioness
The West Australian Times (Perth, W.A.)
Date: Jun 22, 1877
Page Number: 2

One of the most interesting features of the menagerie at Barnum's Hippodrome has been the cleaning out of the dens of the animals. The menagerie includes a number of lions, leopards, tigers, &c. The method of cleaning the cages of these ferocious beasts is a thrilling one. A man, armed only with a heavy, shorthandled whip, enters the den, and lashing its savage inmates into a corner, sweeps the dirty sawdust out through the bars and then strews the floor with a fresh covering. Most of the animals are very docile, but in the case of the lions the aspect of affairs is altered, in so far that the animals are young, exuberantly ferocious, and as yet only partially tamed. Charles White, the famous beast tamer, is, in fact, the only person connected with the show who exercises any command over them. Yesterday afternoon he happened to be absent, but Parker, his chief assistant, entered the cage of the lions at the usual hour, and proceeded to clean it out.

 After the first work was done he slightly opened the door to receive a bucket of sawdust from a boy outside. At this instant the largest lioness, a glorious beast about a year old, made a leap for him, landed on his shoulders and bounded out into freedom, throwing Parker flat on his face under the door of the cage and stunning him into helplessness. The crowd of lookers on rapidly dispersed at the unexpected appearance of the monster, but its ferocity seemed confined to one object. It made a dead set for the cage of the Bengal tiger, and, climbing half up the bars, made strenuous efforts to reach the inmate of the den. The two animals had been kept face to face in their cages while on the road, and the hatred engendered during that season had evidently been perpetuated. The more the lioness clawed the more the tiger clawed back and the sleek coats of the combatants were soon streaked with gore.

The cries of the lookers-on summoned the officials of the show to the spot, and a messenger was despatched for Mr. White. Directly he arrived he made for the lioness, -who had apparently satiated her rage, and was simply coiled in front of the tiger's cage in an attitude of watchful attention and seized her by the head. The beast resisted, but made no attempt to injure any one, and after a short struggle, which enlisted the combined efforts of four men, was dragged back into her cage and securely barred in. The harmless result of the escape is all the more remarkable for the fact that the lioness Zaida has already killed two men and mutilated several others, and that the only person able to bring her into even ordinary subjection is her trainer.

The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.)
Date: Apr 2, 1881
Page Number: 1s

New York papers report that the American lion tamer, Elijah Lengel of Philadelphia, was recently killed by a tiger belonging to the Courtney Circus, with which he was connected. He had given a successful exhibition in the tigers' cage before a numerous audience, and was preparing to leave the cage when his foot slipped and he fell. One of the tigers threw itself upon him with a roar, and in five minutes had torn the body literally to pieces. Some of the spectators had revolvers, and they fired at once upon the animal. A lucky shot killed him, and Lengel's body could be withdrawn through the sliding door, but at this moment the other tiger threw itself upon the one that had been shot, and began tearing it with teeth and claws. The horror of the scene was such that most of the spectators took immediately to flight.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: Apr 22, 1884
Page Number: 6

Some excitement was caused at St. Leon’s Circus to-night by the tigers breaking the partition of the cage and engaging in a fight. It was stated at first that the animals had escaped from the cage, and a stampede on the part of the audience occurred; but the facts being quickly made known, the performance proceeded after a short interval.

The Queenslander (Brisbane, Qld)
Date: Sept 27, 1884
Page Number: 502

St. Leon's circus and menagerie held forth at South Grafton last night. There was a good attendance. As this troupe was travelling on one of the Richmond River rough roads last week the cage holding the tiger upset and its occupant got out. The attendants were, however, equal to the occasion, for they got a coil of rope round the brute and so prevented him from escaping. This was a fortunate circumstance, for this would be rather a dangerous customer to be at large among the free selectors on the Richmond.

Camperdown Chronicle (Vic.)
Date: Jan 21, 1885
Page Number: 2

Mr. R. D. Scott, of Gaotuk[?] Park, has sufficient reason to complain of the vagrant dog nuisance. Within the last few days he has lost nearly twenty valuable sheep in his paddock near the township. From the peculiar manner in which the sheep have been mangled, it is argued that the destructive work is that of one dog. As the animal must have been blood stained after his murderous attack, its owner would naturally detect such traces, and it is to be hoped that he took immediate steps to destroy it. Mr. Scott's flocks have been comparatively free from the ravages of dogs for some months past, and it is thought that in this instance the destroyer in a strange animal, and in such a case it will easily be recognised. It is really shameful that any property holder in this vicinity should have cause to complain of the attacks of dogs on his flocks, and every care ought to be taken to prevent this by the destruction of dogs with propensities for sheep-killing.

A Tiger at Large
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: May 4, 1885
Page Number: 6

(By telegraph from our correspondent.)

Chiltern, Saturday.
A great scare has been caused here by a report that a tiger escaped at Mansfield from a menagerie some time ago, and has been in that and the Wangaratta district ever since. Mysterious disappearances of sheep and other animals are put down to the tiger. Last night it was seen by the railway gatekeeper between Chiltern and Barnawartha. The members of the rifle corps and the police have gone out to hunt for the animal.

The Brisbane Courier
Date: May 5, 1885
Page Number: 6

There has been considerable excitement for some time past in the neighbourhood of Chiltern, caused by a tiger which escaped front a menagerie at Mansfield, and has since been killing sheep, goats, &c., in the Wangaratta district. On Saturday night the animal was seen by the railway gatekeeper, and a number of the Rifle Company with the police turned out and shot him.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Date: May 7, 1885
Page Number: 8

ALBURY, WEDNESDAY.
The tiger which recently escaped from a menagerie near Wangaratta is said to have crossed the river into this colony, about 10 miles below Albury, where some cows are reported to have been killed by the animal.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: May 12, 1885
Page Number: 5

Chiltern, Monday.
In connection with the reported escape of a tiger from a travelling menagerie, the police-officer in charge here, Constable Simcox, has been informed by the Mansfield police that no information had been given to them of a tiger having escaped from any travelling menagerie in that locality.

The Launceston Examiner (Tas.)
Date: May 15, 1885
Page Number: 2

A great scare was recently created in the Mansfield and Wangaratta districts by the reported escape of a tiger from a menagerie. Several persons saw the animal at night, all lost cattle were credited to it, local riflemen and constables tried to get a shot at it, and at last a country paper knocked the whole affair on the head by proclaiming the "tiger" to be a donkey recently imported into the district which had escaped from its new owner.

THE REPORTED ESCAPE OF A TIGER.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: Jun 5, 1885
Page Number: 5

(BY TELEGRAM FROM OUR CORRESPONDENT.)

WANGARATTA, THURSDAY.
With reference to the report that a tiger had escaped from a travelling menagerie in this district some time ago, it appears that some children having declared to their parents that they had seen a strange animal this morning while going to school. Sergeant Steele proceeded with Mounted constable Haydon to the spot and found the tracks of some animal, which he declares not to be those of a dog of any animal whose tracks are known to him. He examined the children, and they all agreed that the creature crept like a cat. Steele says that the tracks are not much larger than those of a large Newfoundland dog, but appear to have been made by an animal with a heavier body. He suggests that it may possibly have been a panther. The tracks have been covered up for future investigation.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: Jun 6, 1885
Page Number: 7

WANGARATTA, Friday.
As it was reported here again to-day that the strange animal now said to be four miles from Wangaratta, had kept people out of their beds last night by noisy tokens of its presence, some of the townspeople went out to-day, a few being armed. They, however, saw nothing but the tracks, which all pronounced not to be those of a native or domestic animal. It is considered that the services of a black tracker should be secured to clear up the mystery, as parents are afraid to send their children to school.

Launceston Examiner (Tas.)
Date: June 16, 1885
Page Number: 2

It seems certain now that some unknown animal is at largo in the Wangaratta district, Victoria. It is stated that some time ago a tiger had escaped from a circus which performed at Healesville, and that though the proprietor offered a reward of £10 for its capture it is still at large. A further report states that it has killed two horses on the Mooroolbark station, near Lillydale.

The South Australian Register (Adelaide, S.A.)
Date: Jun 17, 1885
Page Number: 6

There is a tiger or panther at large in Victoria, according to rumour. It has taken the place of the bunyip, whom hundreds has seen but none captured. This tiger is supposed to have broken loose from a travelling menagerie in the North-Eastern district. At the beginning we should like it proved that such an escape ever took place. Perhaps the showmen were afraid to report the fact to the police; at any rate they did not do so. The first story about the tiger being seen came from the neighbourhood of Wangaratta, 60 miles from the place where he is said to have commenced business on his own account. He was followed, but vanished among the trees. Next we hear of a strange animal, bigger than a St. Bernard’s dog, but shorter legged, having appeared at Lilydale, 25 miles from Melbourne, and at least 150 miles from Wangaratta. Between Lilydale and Wangaratta there is a dividing range, 2,000 feet high in the lowest part, besides several large rivers. And finally, the tiger – changed into a panther – is reported to have been seen within the suburban circle, about 8 miles from the General Post-Office. They show you his footprints, and they point to the carcasses of mangled cows and calves. Casts have been taken of the footprints for examination by scientific men, who pronounce them doglike, but panther-like, which gives us a nervous turn, for the panther may take to killing children and grown-up people. One tiger will not account for so many apparitions. There must have been a general strike among the menageries, and a breaking-up of companies. The “attractions of the Show” have been striking for higher wages, or, like the South Melbourne foundrymen, protesting the new order against smoking. Either three tigers are abroad, or there has been much whisky-drinking in the wild parts of Victoria.

The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: Jul 2, 1885
Page Number: 6

The tiger scare has reached the township of Gobur. A man named O'Connor was out seeking game, when he was suddenly surprised by the appearance of what he thought to be a tiger. He immediately hid himself until the animal had disappeared. It has been suggested that the creature was a native dog, but O Connor asserts that it is impossible for him to have been mistaken. It is expected that the police will visit the spot.

The South Australian Advertiser (Adelaide, S.A.)
Date: Apr 22, 1887
Page Number: 4

The Wentworth Advocate tells the story of the escape of a couple of tigers from St. Leon’s Circus recently, while travelling from Brewarrina to Walgett, causing considerable alarm amongst those present, who, terror-stricken, flew for refuge to the river and plunged in. Tigers are not partial to water, as a rule, so that the affrighted troupe remained comparatively safe up to their throats in water, trembling lest the pair of royal Bengals should deem it desirable to snatch a hasty meal, and in defiance of their watery retreat rush for them. The arrival shortly afterwards of their keeper on the scene, who succeeded in finding them, allayed all fears. He calmly and fearlessly walked up to the snarling monsters, who lamb-like submitted to having their collars placed around their necks, and were led back quietly to their respective cages, to the great delight and relief of those who still remained, semi-submerged in their damp retreat.

Escape of a Tiger in Brisbane.
A Man Terribly Injured.
The Argus (Melbourne, Vic.)
Date: Nov 22, 1888
Page Number: 9

Brisbane, Wednesday.
An incident which caused intense excitement occurred about noon to day. Mr. Higgins has a small menagerie in George street. Among his animals are two large Bengal tigers, which Mr Higgins has had since they were cubs, and hitherto they have been very docile. One of these got out of the cage to day, and made for a man known as Peter, who was employed about the place. The tiger chased him into the street, and then seized and commenced worrying him.
A general stampede of nil the persons in the vicinity at once took place, but Mr. Higgins immediately rushed to the rescue, and, armed only with a small whip, he managed with great difficulty to get the tiger away from the man and back into the menagerie yard, where it was soon after safely caged, but not before Mr. Higgins himself had been severely lacerated and smothered in blood. Peter was at once taken to the hospital, where it was found that he had been terribly injured. He had been torn from head to foot, his scalp was torn away, and a hole had been made through his skull to the brain. His condition is very critical.

Higgins, who has been in the habit of constantly entering the cage, states that he went in to clean it, and while doing so Peter opened the door, although ordered to keep away from the cage, and the tiger sprang out. The excitement lasted for some time, and an immense crowd gathered round the place after the animal had been secured.

AN ENTIRE MENAGERIE LOOSE.
TERRIBLE SCENE OF CARNAGE.
The Mercury (Hobart, Tas.)
Date: Aug 6, 1890
Page Number: 4

Page Number: 9

Shortly after 11 p.m. on June 1 a general stampede of all the animals comprising Fillis' menagerie took place. This appalling occurrence is, attributed to a miscreant - at present still at large - who, possessed of a grudge against Mr. Fillis or members of his company, thought to pay it out by climbing up the fence of the enclosure in which the animals are kept, and, at, imminent risk to his own life and, limbs, releasing from their cages and chains, the whole of the wild animals. This fiend in human shape is evidently one well acquainted with the show, for not only has he exhibited a familiarity with the locks and bars of the cages, but he selected the day and hour when the supervision of the animals was most relaxed. He appears to have made good his escape before the animals realised their freedom from restraint, and as the four employees who slept on the premises have all fallen victims to the ferocity of the wild beasts, it is impossible to say at present if his identity is known.

About 11.30 the residents within a mile radius of the circus buildings were roused from their beds by a fiendish and indescribable noise. The fierce roar of the lions, the trumpeting of the elephant, the snarls and growls of the leopards, cheetahs, and jackals, the snarling bark of the wolves, the cries of the frightened horses, and the groans and screams of the mangled and dying employees, made a medley of sound which will never be forgotten by those who heard it.
From what we can gather, the four male lions, Pasha, Abdul, Caliph and Mustapha, upon discovering the door of their cage open, immediately proceeded to the stables, where the large lion, Pasha, leaped on the back of Murat, the jumping horse, and fastened his teeth in his neck and withers. It is reported that he has always borne this horse a most unaccountable grudge, and invariably gave signs of displeasure and dislike when within sight of him. The horse's screams roused the four attendants, a Scotchman named Patterson and three Kaffir boys, and hastily arming themselves with stable forks, they rushed to the scene of the disturbance, evidently ignorant of the numerical strength of the foe they had to contend with. These four gallant fellows met a fearful death. From the few last dying words of one of the Kaffir boys to Mr. Fillis, when he arrived upon the scene, it appears that he and his mates, when endeavouring to beat back the lion Pasha, were attacked from the rear by three other lions and one of the cheetahs ; they were then literally torn limb from limb by the ferocious brutes, and the scene of their death is one of indescribable horror. Having tasted blood, the lions (male and female), the cheetahs, the wolves and the leopards seemed to regain all the ferocity of their class, and Mr. Fillis' four Hungarian horses, Sang d'Or, Kremis, Lenore, and Etoile, and the performing horses, Beauty and Black Bess, fell victims to their lust for blood. The elephant frightened at the noise, in its endeavour to escape burst through the heavy iron gate and rushed into Curry-street followed by nearly the whole of the animals, who appear to have been startled by something whilst engaged in their work of carnage in the stables.

A cabman residing at Beaconsfield, Nelson, had a narrow escape. Hearing the noise he drove down from Main-street to see the animals rush out. He likens the scene to the exit from Noah's ark. An elephant came first, and a few seconds afterwards tumbled out a confused mob of lions, wolves, hyenas, baboons, leopards, cheetahs, and jackals.

The wolves, with the instinct of their race, immediately rushed upon Nelson's horses, and two of the lions attacked them also. Strange to say, they left the man himself unmolested, and he managed to climb up a post at Glover's Athletic Bar, and secure his safety in one of the rooms. When last he saw

his horses they were galloping madly down the Dutoitspan-road, snorting and screaming with fear and pain, followed by the wolves and two of the lions. The remainder of the animals, Nelson says, dispersed in all directions; but the man appears to be so unstrung by his terrible experiences that nothing coherent can be obtained from him at present. We have as yet heard of but one death since the animals left the circus buildings. A little child named James Grindley, a son of Mr. Grindley, produce dealer, happened to be in the back of his father's premises, in his little night shirt. He noticed a cheetah which had taken refuge there, and with the fearlessness of childhood walked up to it. His agonised mother, from her bedroom window, saw the brute lay her darling prostrate with one blow of its paw, and then mangle him beyond all recognition. We have obtained from Mr. Fillis - who is, of course, terribly distressed by the fearful occurrence, but bears it as a brave man should - a full list of animals at large: -Four lions, 2 lionesses, 2 tigers, 3 bears, 2 wolves, 1 hyena, 2 cheetahs, 4 jackasses, 1 elephant, 1 camel, and 17 baboons.

Only two of these animals have as yet been accounted for. Mr. Murchison, residing on Dutoitspan-road, having been awakened by the noise, was looking out of his bedroom window, and seeing a jackal run across the yard, shot it dead with his revolver.

Our G.O.M., Mr. Goodchild, was aroused by the shrieks of his parrot, and getting out of his bed to see the cause, observed to his horror an enormous lion crouching under the trees in the front garden. With great presence of mind he took down his Martini Henry rifle, and, firing through the window, shot it between the eyes, dead.

The whole of the police, armed to the teeth; are scouring the surrounding district and the town itself.

Railway Accidents in New South Wales.
The South Australian Register (Adelaide, S.A.)
Date: Apr 28, 1892
Page Number: 4

Page Number: 9

The New South Wales railways have a bad record in the matter of accidents, and the experience of the past two or three days has placed two other serious casualties to their debit. The first of these occurred on Tuesday near Tenterfield, on the line connecting Sydney and Brisbane. In this case a special train conveying the Sells' Circus Company and its belongings came into collision with another. train upon a steep incline, with the result that one man was killed and several others, including a member of the Silbon family of gymnasts, whose clever and daring performances recently excited, so much admiration in Adelaide, were injured. The details given of the occurrence warrant the conclusion that the escape of the other passengers was little less than miraculous. It would seem from telegrams published to-day that the accident was clearly preventable. The driver of the engine with almost incredible carelessness had neglected the ordinary precaution of pulling up at the top of the incline to pin down the brakes, being under the impression that he could, with the assistance of the guard, apply sufficient brake power while the train was in motion. Should the facts be as stated it is to be hoped that exemplary punishment will be inflicted upon the officials in fault. They have already been committed for trial, and their sentence, should they be convicted, should be made sufficiently severe to act as a warning to others in like positions to abstain from risky experiments in the carrying out of their responsible duties.

The Sydney Morning Herald
Date: Jul 8, 1893
Page Number: 13

The accident near Altoona, Penn., reported on 31st May, proves to have been very serious. A special train of 14 cars, containing Main's Circus, while descending a steep grade on a branch of the Pennsylvania Railway, was totally wrecked by the breaking of an axle on the front car. The entire tram was thrown down a 3Sft. slope. Seven men and 49 trained horses were instantly killed. Many of the animals were wounded and had to be shot. A man slaying ape - a most dangerous creature -escaped, but was caught, as well as one lion. Another lion escaped; a third was lassooed and tied to a tree. A bear, a hyena, a tiger, and others were confined in a similar manner. Another tiger leaped into a farm-yard where a woman was milking, and killed the cow; it was shot while eating its victim. The alligators and some valuable and deadly snakes are scattered about the vicinity.