THE DYING LION.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 332, 6 July 1875, Page 3

THE DYING LION.

{New Yovlt Herald.) There is now lying at the Hippodrome in a dying condition one of the most remarkable lions that was ever imported into this country. “ Jim ” —for such is his name—was captured by the agents of some London animal dealers, when about two years old, and his savage nature has never been thoroughly tamed. With the exception of Pompey, Parker, and Admiral, he is the largest and oldest African lion in captivity, his age being nearly twenty-eight years. Following his capture, Jim was taken to London and placed on exhibition, and after he had been before the public for some time it was thought that he was in a condition to be trained, and a tamer by the name of Ardent undertook the task, but the brute handled him so roughly that he was confined to bed for the next six months. Jim was then sold to the proprietor of a show that was travelling through the country; and finally, after reaching Edinburgh, a man by the name of McArthur undertook to break him in as a performing lion. He entered the cage of the brute before a large audience, and after petting and handling the leopards for a while he put his hand on Jim; but the animal did not like it, and with one blow of his terrible paw knocked the tamer down. Instantly all was confusion, and the leopards at once made a dash for the lion and fastened their fangs in him. Whether or no they saved the man is doubtful but certain it is they were fast giving their life for him and the lion was mangling them in a fearful manner, when the tamer, with the rapidity of lightning, cut him several times across the eyes with a cowhide, compelling him to relinquish his hold, when the gate of the training cage that divided the [animals was at once shut, and the keeper escaped. Shortly after this Mr Barnum purchased the ferocious animal and brought him to this country. He was

used for a while in Forepaugh’s menagerie, where he killed one of his keepers by crushing his skull with his ponderous jaws. He was afterward transferred to Van Amburgh’s menagerie, when Professor Langworthy tried his hand on him, but without success. He would not be tamed, and after receiving some bad cuts the animal was given up as a bad job. Jim was afterward sent with the Bailey menagerie, and it was while with that party he made himself famous by breaking out of his cage and attacking the huge “Jennie” elephant. The great beast caught him in her trunk, and, after holding him between heaven and earth for a few seconds, dashed him to the ground with such force as to break three of his ribs. He was then taken back to the Barnum show, and Professor Charles White tried his hand at taming him, and partly succeeded. But a few years ago, however, the brute badly injured him, and he was then caged as an exhibition animal. The old fellow caught cold a few days ago, and inflammation of the lungs setting in, he is now about to bo called to his fathers. His savage nature is apparent even in his last moments, and but for the fact that he refused to be bled, his life might have been spared. His career has been a most remarkable one for a dumb animal, and his loss will be severely felt, as his ferocity made him a great attraction. It was not thought that he would live through the night. Jim’s record foots up in killed, one man and thirteen different animals, and a host of wounded.