Born: 9 or 10 December 1889, United States
Died: 20 April 1968
Country most active: United States
Also known as: Mabel Haynie
The following is republished from the Library of Congress. This piece falls under under public domain, as copyright does not apply to “any work of the U.S. Government” where “a work prepared by an officer or employee of the U.S. Government as part of that person’s official duties” (See, 17 U.S.C. §§ 101, 105).
What are you afraid of?
“Subways!” Mabel Stark, renowned Bengal tiger trainer, told the New-York Tribune in 1922. “Trains roaring through the tunnel terrify me more than any beast I’ve ever met,” she said.
Following a nervous breakdown, the former nurse sought a “simpler & easier” profession: training wild jungle cats for the big top. Circus goers got the “thrill of their lives” watching the fearless Ms. Stark tame a cage full of snarling jungle prowlers.
The lithe, cat-like Stark proved she too had nine lives when a loyal lion companion saved her from a crazed young cub named Brutus.
Despite enduring countless maulings from her ferocious cats, Mabel’s love for them kept her coming back to the ring.