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Story
December 27, 1938
Imperial Valley Press
El Centro, Imperial County, California
What is this article about?
Sylvester Kirby, 35, lost his hand and arm to a lion bite on Dec. 27 in Ocean Park, Calif., after sticking his fist into the animal's mouth to prove his bravery while working at an amusement pier.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Lion Bites Off
Braggart's Hand
OCEAN PARK, Calif., Dec. 27. (UP)—Sylvester Kirby, 35, who stuck his fist into a lion's mouth to prove his courage, was minus that hand and arm today.
The lion clamped its jaws tight.
Kirby is a spieler on the Ocean Park amusement pier. He boasted to other employes outside the lion taming concession that he was not afraid to place his hand inside a lion's mouth "because they won't bite me."
To prove it, he stuck his fist through the bars and into a 3 year old male lion's mouth. The lion clamped its jaws on his wrist and reaching through the bars, clawed his arm so badly it had to be amputated above the elbow.
Braggart's Hand
OCEAN PARK, Calif., Dec. 27. (UP)—Sylvester Kirby, 35, who stuck his fist into a lion's mouth to prove his courage, was minus that hand and arm today.
The lion clamped its jaws tight.
Kirby is a spieler on the Ocean Park amusement pier. He boasted to other employes outside the lion taming concession that he was not afraid to place his hand inside a lion's mouth "because they won't bite me."
To prove it, he stuck his fist through the bars and into a 3 year old male lion's mouth. The lion clamped its jaws on his wrist and reaching through the bars, clawed his arm so badly it had to be amputated above the elbow.
What sub-type of article is it?
Curiosity
Extraordinary Event
What themes does it cover?
Misfortune
Bravery Heroism
What keywords are associated?
Lion Bite
Braggart
Amputation
Courage Proof
What entities or persons were involved?
Sylvester Kirby
Where did it happen?
Ocean Park, Calif.
Story Details
Key Persons
Sylvester Kirby
Location
Ocean Park, Calif.
Event Date
Dec. 27
Story Details
Sylvester Kirby, a 35-year-old spieler at Ocean Park amusement pier, boasted he was not afraid of lions and stuck his fist into a 3-year-old male lion's mouth through the bars, resulting in the lion clamping its jaws on his wrist and clawing his arm so badly it required amputation above the elbow.