During the whale season we utilized the whale tank, which was empty
owing to the death of the whale, by placing in it a number of
alligators from Florida. Our agent had just returned from an
expedition, with forty of these creatures ranging in length from one to
twelve feet. Although the tank was an immense one, these forty saurians
did not have as much room as they would have liked. This overcrowding
was doubtless the cause of a most terrible fight between them, which
occurred very soon after they were installed in their new quarters. It
is impossible for me to describe this conflict. Nearly all the larger
"gators" took part in it, springing at each other and locking their
jaws with a resounding, crashing noise that could be heard all over the
building.
While thus locked together they would toss each other about and swish
their tails with such vigor as to completely destroy the tank, breaking
the thick glass. Our attendants were almost paralyzed with fear and
confusion at the strange battle, and vainly endeavored to separate the
combatants. There seemed, however, to be no way of doing this, as they
would snap at each other so violently as to break each other's jaws,
and this horrible snap really sounded like the report of a gun. To
prevent their escape into the exhibition room a temporary barrier was
soon erected and, when they became exhausted in attempting to kill each
other, we determined, for fear that returning strength would bring
about a repetition of the horrible scene, to dispatch all save the
smaller ones. This was done by sending bullets into their eyes. We
buried the carcasses on Long Island, much to the regret of an eminent
taxidermist, who would have been glad to have secured them; but we were
eager to be rid of the monsters. The fight was not down on the bills
and was one we were entirely unprepared for; but it was the most
exciting and at the same time most terrifying combat I ever saw. Had it
not been so horrible and could it have been advertised, I am sure it
would have drawn together more people than a Spanish bull fight. The
tank, which was totally destroyed, was made of glass one and one-fourth
inches thick, embedded in cement and bound with solid iron columns. It
was erected at a cost of $4,500, and yet was destroyed in ten minutes
by these vicious alligators from the slimy depths of southern swamps.
I remember vividly the time when (in Winchester, Va.) Charles Dayton,
the Herculean cannon ball performer and general gymnast, was attacked
by hyenas just after entering the den for the street parade. Only such
a man of strength, undeniable courage and great presence of mind would
ever have escaped from the cage alive. Apparently for no reason
whatever and without the slightest warning these hideous creatures
sprang upon Dayton on this particular occasion, though he had been in
the cage many times. The expression of mingled hope, fear and
determination depicted on Dayton's countenance as he nobly fought his
way to the rear of the cage can never be forgotten by any witness of
the thrilling scene. Death stared him in the face and blood flowed in
streams from his frightful wounds. Seemingly every portion of his body
was lacerated. At last after a fearful battle he reached the rear of
the cage and the door. The latter was quickly opened, and the brave
fellow fell bleeding and exhausted into the arms of his attendants,
narrowly escaping a death too horrible to contemplate. We succeeded in
getting him to his hotel, where physicians were called, but they gave
no hope of poor Charlie's recovery. They said the hyenas had done their
awful work too thoroughly. The citizens, especially the noble women of
Winchester, volunteered their aid and did everything in their power for
him. We left him with our own doctor and in the hands of these good
people, as we thought, to die. Notwithstanding the fact that his body
was so terribly lacerated, however, in a few days Dayton gave signs of
improvement and he eventually recovered. Ultimately he returned to the
show.