Circus Menageria Burns in Peru, Indiana

Jan. 25, 1884-- Col. Benj. E. Wallace's circus menageria went up in smoke Monday. For some time he had been collecting wild animals for his circus which is to take the road in the spring. These animals he had stored in temporary cages in the old chair factory, on the south side of west Second street, across the street from the National hotel and west across the alley. An overheated stove caused the blaze which started the fire. The intense heat and smoke soon ended the lives of the animal which included some lions, tigers, deer, kangaroo and monkeys. It was a cold morning and there was a heavy snow on the ground, and the firemen fought hard to save the animals. Col. Wallace says that he will begin again and when spring arrives that he will be ready to open his season. The circus opened April 26, 1884.