Evening Republican, Volume 18, Number 130, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 3 June 1914 — Page 2

Side Show Sidelights

Diverting Chronicles of Circus Life

By FRANCIS METCALFE

THE TRAGEDY OF THE TIGERB AND THE POWER OF HYPNOTISM. Chauncey Depew was at the bottom of all the trouble; not the once favorite son of New York, but his namesake, one of the handsomest dou-ble-striped royal Bengal tigers ever captured. Depew was the central figure in the group which Miller, the | trainer of tigers, had worked so hard to educate, and it was his rebellion which made the teacher’s labors of years come to naught. Late in the season, after months spent in giving the finishing touches to their education while they were with a small part of the show which was exhibited near Cleveland, the tigers were brought to Coney Island; a group of eight magnificent beasts, all jungle bred and each worthy, of a place in any menagerie. Perhaps it was the discomfort of the journey in the small traveling cages, possibly the change in the surroundings and. the nearness of the other animals excited them; but whatever the cause, there was trouble in the narrow runway at the back of the dens when they entered it to go to the exhibition cage for their first Coney Island appearance. The sound of their snarling and growling, the reports of pistol shots and the cracking of training whips caused a sensation of uneasiness in the audience until the first tiger bounded through the door at the back of the cage, closely followed by a halfdozen others. Dangerous beasts they looked as they threw themselves against the stout bars, which rattled from the impact of their great bodies, and the front seats of the auditorium were quickly vacated by the audience. The noise in the runway continued, but the deep throaty growls which came from behind the dens were of a different quality from the snarling and yapping of the seven beasts in the exhibition cage, and when the last of the tigers appeared in the doorway the first arrivals made renewed efforts to escape through the bars. It was Depew; not the good-natured-looking great cat whose “I-have-eaten-the-canary" expression and smug whiskers had suggested his name, but a jungle tiger who had “gone bad,” as the animal trainers call it, and who

stood tor a moment in the doorway, wrathfully surveying his frantic companions and selecting a victim. Froth was dripping from his snarling lips, his small eyes were blazing like two points of flame, the hair on his neck and back stood up like bristles, and his great tail struck the door-casing resounding whacks, as he lashed it from side to side. Only a moment he stood there, and then the great Stripe'S body hurtled through the air as if shot from a catapult, and covering a good 20 feet in the spring it landed fair on Bombay, one of the largest tigers in the group. The aim was a true one and the sound of breaking bone mingled with a scream of pain from his victim, as Bombay sank under the weight of the blow, his cervical vertebrae crushed between Depew’s powerful jaws. It was evident that all training had been forgotten, that fear of anything so puny as man had departed from the minds of the tigers, and a groan went up from the audience when the door was opened and quickly closed behind Miller, the trainer, who stood, whip and training rod In hand, in the cage with the mad*dened animals. Depew was still crouched on the body of his victim, biting at the neck and growling ferociously, his tail lashing •from side to side. Miller never took his eyes from him and kept between him and the door as he called the others by name and tried to regain control of them. One tiger after another was released, glad of the opportunity to escape, as the door to the runway was opened at Miner’s signal, until only Depew, the body of Bombay and the trainer occupied the cage. The other tigers had entered into * general free fight in the runway, but the noise of their bickering was un-

Coorrisbt br W. G. Chapman)

"Depew, Coughing and Choking, Drew Back.”

heeded in the excitement of the contest in the exhibition cage. Depew rose as Miller cracked his whip and approached him, and made p rush which the trainer met with his pronged training rod, driving it hard between the widely opened jaws while his whip rained blows upon the tiger’s face. But he was only checked for a moment, and under his fiercer attack the trainer was forced to give ground. They were so close that the tiger could not spring, but he struck savagely with his great forepaws and tried again and again to pass the guard which Miller maintained with the training rod, Using it as a fencer uses a foil. It was an unequal contest and the trainer realized that he was beaten; Depew would not be driven from the cage. The useless training whip was discarded and a savage rush from the tiger was met by a pistol shot in the face, blank cartridge, of course, but effective for a moment Five more shots followed in quick succession and the trainer backed quickly toward the door, when his foot slipped, he was on his back, and Depew, quick to seize the advantage, ' stood over him. Every keeper connected with the show stood about the cage with the Roman candles, fire extinguishers, pistols and irons which are always kept in readiness, and any or all of them would have willingly entered to rescue the man, but experience has taught them that two cannot work together in a cage with animals. They were quick to act and a stream of water under heavy pressure from the fire hose struck the tiger in the side, exploding fireworks scorched his skin, the din of revolver shots was in his ears, while the wads from the cartridges stung him, but he seemed conscious only of the prostrate form beneath him. Animal trainers need to think quickly and to seize the slightest moment of hesitation or indecision on the part of their pupils if they wish to be longlived, and Miller, as he fell, had thrown his useless pistol out of the cage and uttered the one word “Load!” There was no time for that, but Tudor, seeing that the trainer had one arm free, threw his own pistol through the bars and it slid across the floor of the cage straight as a die to the outstretched hand. It was a time

when fractions of a second count and Depew’s hesitation robbed him of his revenge. The opened jaws were within a foot of the trainer’s throat when the muzzle of the pistol went between them, and Depew, coughing and choking, drew back, his throat scorched by the burning powder, his eyes momentarily blinded by the stream from a fire extinguisher, while Miller struggled to his feet ’ "People who see the crowds at my show think that I must coin money,” said the proprietor as he joined the press agent and the stranger after the performance. “But that accident in the arena tonight means a loss of 150,000 to me.” “Isn’t that a high figure, even if they all die?” asked the stranger, who had been doing a little mental arithmetic.

“For those eight, yes, although a' trained tiger is worth all sorts of money, but I have purchased 28 in all for that group, and the others have been killed one by one, fighting among themselves. They average over a thousand apiece, for I bought only the best, and figure up the cost of their keep, transportation and trainer’s salaries for three years and you will find that lam not far out. That is the difficulty of the show business in America, the public demands so much. A sensation’—the realization that every animal in the cage is a wild animal and that he is liable to remember it at any minute—is what holds attention. That is why *1 always 'use jungle animals when I can get them, for, although they can be as well trained, they always perform under protest and it makes it exciting. But the losses from fighting among themselves make it mighty expensive to keep up the RiDupß wuiuu uw Aiutjncan puuno demands.” ’ aRWPRWniBfT' .is;

THE EVENING REPUBLICAN, RENSSELAER, IND.

“That’s one of the things which drove me out of the show business,” said the press agent as he set his empty glass on the table and signaled to the waiter. “A guy named Merritt and myself had a snake show in New York a few years ago which presented the most complete collection of reptiles ever gotten together, for it contained specimens of every species of wriggler known to herpetology and a good many that were not described in the books. That man Merritt was an Inventive genius and had the California sharp, Burbank, beaten a mile when -it came to inventing new species. When business was dull he’d take a lot of common, ordinary snakes into the back room and with a bottle of peroxide of hydrogen and an assortment of aniline dyes he would bring out albinos and spotted and striped snakes which made the scientists open their eyes and kept ’em busy inventing new Latin names. “His biggest success was 'The Great Two-horned Rhinoceros Serpent,* which made 'em all sit up for a month, and if I hadn’t seen Merritt working over a common boa-constric-tor with a pair of shark’s teeth and a dish of bird lime it would have fooled me. That snake was proud of the horns which Merritt glued on his head, too, and he used to chase the other snakes around the cage and butt ’em like a giddy billy-goat. But in-spite of all his ingenuity in orignatlng new varieties, business was dropping off, for the public demanded quantity as well as quality and we had skinned the local snake market clean. We were sitting in the office one day, figuring on where we could get additions to our collection, when a stout, red-faced little man who had 'sea captain’ written all over him came in and asked if we wanted any more snakes. Merritt allowed that we did if he had the snakes and asked where we could inspect them. " 'Well, I’ve got one that I brought from Borneo and he’s on a ship down in the harbor,’ says the captain. ‘We won’t- argue none about the price, for if you’ll come down and take him away you can have him for nothing.* That made Merritt a little suspicious and he asked the captain if it were his ship. “ 'I reckoned it was until two days ago, when that blame snake broke loose,* he answered irritably. ‘Since then he seems to own it and not a man jack of the crew will go below. I’ve tried to shoot him, but the beggar’s too quick, and I want to discharge my cargo, so if you ain’t afraid to tackle him, come on.* “‘Me afraid! Me?’ says Merritt throwing out a chest. ‘Why, man alive, I’m the only living snake charmer who ever dared handle the dangerous Two-horned Rhinoceros Serpent, and do you think I’d weaken before a common Borneo python?* *“I dunno whether you will or not. until I see you try,’ says the captain.

'“Just watch me. s Watch me!’ says Merritt TH use my wonderful hypnotic power and you’ll see the serpent crawl into the bag at my command, to be easily transported to' this moral and elevating show for exhibition as an example of the power of mind over matter.*

“ ‘All right, professor,’ says the captain. ‘But if you’ll take my advice you’ll stow those shore-going togs and get into working rig before you tackle him.’

“Merritt snorted contemptuosly at the suggestion and we started for the ship. When we got on board he made a little speech before he went into the hold, telling the sailors about his wonderful hypnotic power and how he would exercise it to charm the serpent which was' preventing their worthy captain from reaping the rewards of his arduous toil and his hardihood in having braved the perils of the vasty deep. “I knew what he would try to do, for I had seen him work it before. The way to get one of those big snakes Is to cover his head with a bag, and then he’ll crawl in himself to get into the dark, which is a serpent’s idea of safety. The more you prod ’em the faster they’ll crawl, and that was the time when Merritt always made passes with his hands and muttered gibberish to impress the spectators. He started in according to program as soon as he located the snake, which was half hidden among a lot of casks. The snake carried out his part and struck at the opened bag which Merritt held out to him, but Instead of sticking his head in he grabbed it with his teeth, and as Merritt held on he drew him back among the barrels and there was a pretty fight. Merritt was quick enough to get a strangle hold around the snake’s neck and. then it kept him busy keeping out of his coils. The captain hadn’t lied much about the size of the python—it was about 30 feet long—and Merritt didn’t have time to use any incantation, although considerable forcible language floated up through the hatchway. They wiped the deck with each other for about 20 minutes, and Merritt had been bumped against pretty nearly every cask in the hold before he finally succeeded in drawing the sack over the snake’s head. Then it was easy, and in spite of his lack of breath the showman in Merritt asserted itself. He put the, sack on the floor, and with one foot on the neck of it he prodded the snake’s body with the other while he made mysterious passes with his hands until the tip of the tall disappeared. When the sack; was securely tied up the python\was hoisted on deck, and Merritt, his clothing torn and soiled with pitch and the miscellaneous oily and sticky things which made up the ship’s cargo, climbed up after it “ ’Did you see meF he asked proudly, throwing out his chest ’Did you observe the wonderful hypnotic power which overcame the prowess of the serpent?’

This biplane, designed and built by Paul'(Schmitt, has broken all world’s records for altitude in passenger-carry-ing tests. It is equipped with adjustable wings. August Belmont is financing Schmitt and the biplane probably will be entered in the transatlantic race.

SEEK EASTER DATE

Proposed That the World Adopt Fixed Day. International Chambers of Commerce Say Variable Time Causes Trade Complications—Would Regulate Time by the Sun. Brussels. —A proposal to have the world adopt a. fixed date for Easter will be discussed and acted upon at the biennial meeting of the International Congress of Chambers of Commerce, which is to meet in Paris next June. Such is the announcement made by the permanent committee of the congress, which met in Brussels to approve the program prepared for the Parib meeting. The fact that the variable date tor Easter causes much embarrassment and loss in certain lines of trade is responsible for the movement to have the festival celebrated on a fixed date. It is suggested by the supporters of the movement that the fixed date could be brought about by regulating Easter by the sun instead of- the moon.

The program prepared for the meeting of the congress shows that numerous other important subjects will be brought up for consideration. Postal money orders and checks, bills of lading for steam navigation, Insurance policies In International traffic, dock warrants, arbitral procedure and the utility of the proposed international action regarding unfair competition are among the questions that will receive attention.

A possible source of discussion relative to competltiion may be the opera-

PRINCE OF MONACO TO HUNT

Ruler of Monte Carlo Arranges for an Expedition to Alaska During Summer.

Seattle, Wash. —The prince of Monaco, ruler of Monte Carlo and widely known as a marine biologist is

Prince of Monaco.

arranging to hunt in Alaska this summer, according to information received here from the north. His agents are engaging guides In Juneau for this hunting espedftiee ---

SCHMITT'S RECORD-BREAKING BIPLANE

tions of great combines such as the Standard and Russian Oil companies, the German syndicate which controls the trade In potash and other concerns whose fields Include the world. The British system of marine Insurance, evolved by centuries of experience, will be closely examined for models to Improve the phraseology of policies. The program as prepared by the committee indicates that American thought and practise have largely Influenced conditions under which trade and commerce are carried on. The United States and Great Britain, for example, have made the largest use of the postal money order and the bank check, and the congress may consider plans for broadening the service rendered by both and making them better understood. The need of-uniformity, or at least a better understanding, la illustrated by tiie fact that under article 16 of The Hague convention the death of a maker of a check has no influence upon the validity of the check, whereas, according to English law, the check became void on the death of the signer. One object of the coming meeting will be to constitute the congress as active Influence between the biennial meetings. The plans In this direction will be framed along the lines of the work accomplished by the Chamber of Commerce of the United States, which is able to back up its resolutions with a permanent organization. It Is expected that the commerce and trade bodies of America will take an important part In the sessions In Paris. The international congress and Its work are well understood in the United States, since the last meeting of the organization was held in Boston in 1912. It is expected that the coming meeting will be attended by a large delegation of representative American manufacturers and business men.

The French government in cooperation with the business organizations of France, is preparing for the elaborate entertainment of the visitors. The delegates from abroad will be regarded as the guests of the republic, and the two weeks following the sessions of the congress will be given up to more or less formal visitations at Lypns, Grenoble, Valence, Dijon and other places of historic interest and industrial importance. Excursions also will be arranged to points in Italy, Switzerland, Germany and other countries.

CAT TWICE SWIMS A RIVER

Lonely Feline, When' Master Went Away, Seeks Company With the Neighbors.

Denver, Colo. —Braving the icy waters of the Grand river rather than stay on a ranch alone, Murphy, a Maltese tomcat belonging to Ad Hockett, a wealthy rancher, swam a mile when he was left cm the ranch while Hockett went to Glenwood Springs on a business trip. The day after Hockett left his ranch Murphy went to the river Dank, where he sat for an hour, and then swam the stream to the opposite side, where he sought company at a neighboring ranch. Four days later, when Hockett returned and found Murphy missing, he began a search for his mascot Standing on the river bank he saw his cat swimming back. When Murphy reached the shore he jumped on his master’s shoulder.

GETS ELECTRICITY FROM AIR

Spanish Inventor Lights and Extte- - gulshes Lamps at 100 Yards at Will. Madrid, Spain. —Senor Iglesals, an electrician, gave a successful demonstration ot an apparatus, of which he is inventor, for condensing and utilising atmospheric electricity. With the device Senor Iglesias lighted and extinguished at will 15 electric bulbs placed at a distance of 600 yards. Experts expressed the opinion that the discovery has great possibilities with regard to cheap production of current

HOT WAX CURES RHEUMATISM

French Physician Places Many Patients In Paraffin Heated to 125 Degrees. Paris.—A paraffin wax bath heated to 125 degrees Fahrenheit is a new treatment for rheumatism, sciatic gout and kindred ailments, as described by Sr. Barthe de Sandfort at the Academy of Medicine, The physician, finding that superheated Wax-applied to wounds, burnt and ulcers removed all pain and caused them to heal rapidly, was led to believe that it might be advantageously, applied to the whole body. A number of patients suffering from various aliments were then put through the same process, with results that exceeded the physician’s expectations.

NEW DRUG AIDS SURGERY

Anaesthesia Much Easier When Urethane Is Used, and .Less Dangerous. London. —Urethane, the new anaesthetic, Is exciting immense interest in the scientific world. Various experiments from which great hopes are aroused have been made at Cambridge, with animals as the subjects. The drug is a combination of urea and alcohol, administered hypodermically. After a short period of drowsiness the subject passes Into a state of deep unconsciousness, becomes insensible to all pain, and, therefore, any operation may be carried out with perfect security. The advantage claimed for urethane is that heart failure never occurs where it has been property used. Another advantage is that its administration is not accompanied by the choking sensation experienced with ether and chloroform.

ESTATE TO AID TEMPERANCE

Late Head of National Organization Leaves Money for Continuance of Work. Portland, Me. —The National Woman’s Christian Temperance union gets $1,300 and the Maine Women's Christian Temperance union SI,OOO, under the will of Mrs. Lillian M. N. Stevens, late national head of the temperance body. Although reputed wealthy, Mrs. Stevens left less than $7,000. To Anna A. Gorden, Evanston. 111., new national president, was left all gifts from Miss Frances E. Willard, who preceded Mrs. Stevens as president, and all other possessions bound by sentiment or practical use to temperance work.

FIND BIG MOONSHINE STILL

Deputy United States Marshals Locate One of the ' Largest Near Galnsboro, Tenn. Galnsboro,' Tenn. One of the largest moonshine stills discovered in 30 years was found near here by deputy United States marshals. The operator, W. L. Haynie, was placed under arrest and 10,000 gallons of whisky confiscated and ordered shipped to Nashville. Haynie told the . officers the still had been operated since 1851, and that he came into possession by inheritance. Haynie had ' recently had the old still overhauled with modern machinery.

WOMAN DEBTOR TO PRISON

*“ -■ y Eight-Year-Old Giri Left to Keep. House for Her Father and , Four Children. New York. —While her elder daughter, eight years old, keeps house for her husband and four other children. Mrs. Olecchlna Galle, with her youngest baby, began a three months* term, in Ludlow prison, as a judgment debtor. Pressed for necessary money somedays ago, Mrs. Galle sold her fruit stand. The buyers said she misrepresented the bargain, and obtained a. judgment tor |IBB against her which she could not pay. Imprisonment followed Mores Bwallowa Diamond Ring. Monsey, N. Y.—Alfred W. Granger permitted a horse to eat from his hand mo IQBV » YuU&QM WWhF ring ■