ACCIDENT TO WILSON'S CIRCUS.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXX, Issue 3962, 9 February 1882, Page 2

ACCIDENT TO WILSON'S CIRCUS.

A telegram in the Melbourne Herald gives the following fuller particulars of the accident at Wilson's circus and menagerie at Albury :—: — " Wilson's circus and menagerie, pending its departure from Wondonga by special train for Beechworth, was encamped on the Wharf reserve. As there was considerable delay, and the weather was very 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 exposed, a large crowd assembled to enjoy a cheap view of them, but, as a precautionary measure, two men attached to the circus were told off to watch the cage : but iv spite of the warnings given, John M'Pherson, a labourer, aged -10 years, residing at Albury, 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 patting one of the lions. A circus attendant, named Barrow, who instantly saw the danger, called out to M'Pherson, aud sprang forward to seize him and pull him back. Barrow, however, was too late, for the lion had with the quickness of lightning pounced upon M'Pherson's arm, and with such force, that it was pulled off at the elbow, a large portion of the muscle above the elbow adhering to the lower joint, which was taken into the cage by the animal. The severed portion of the arm was then dropped by the lion, and the lioness at once picked it up aud proceeded to devour it. Djeiiing, the Lion King, however, was on the spot, and boldly entered the cage with a crowbar, with which he freely belaboured the beasts into a sullen subjection, aud caused the ; lioness to give up the portion of the i limb, which was at once recovered and 1 thrown out of the cage. Djerliug's conduct was considered most courageous, for both the lion and lioness were in a state of great excitement when he entered the cage. In the meantime M'Pherson had without a moment's delay been removed to the Albury Hospital, where 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 patient was regarded as almost impossible. However, he Ins to a considerable extent, recovered the shock to the system, and is doing ns well as could be expected. Being a mau of fair constitution, hopes of his recovery are now entertained. No blame is attached to the circus people, the accident being attributed to the foolishness of M'Pherson him. self."