One day in the summer of 1893 Buff Bill’s Wild West Show was showing in the market place of Kilmarnock in Scotland. In part of the show was a menagerie containing lions, bears and wolves. One of the lions was a famously “untameable lion” who had killed one of his keepers the previous December. While the show was in progress a careless keeper left one of the cages slightly open and the lion escaped into the tent. Pandemonium reigned. The show was crowded at the time and panic-stricken people bolted from the place. Strong men lost their heads and rushed frantically out. In the stampede part of the show was knocked down. The lion calmly followed the crowd out. The panic spread to the general market place. Children became separated from their mothers. Husbands were too frightened to return to the market to find their wives. Most absurdly, some gentlemen who had lost their hats in the panic were seen rushing about wearing ladies hats and bonnets which they had picked up in their confusion ! Meanwhile the showmen and police were trying to re-capture the escaped lion which had taken refuge under an adjoining caravan. It remained there like a huge cat, growling at the people. Gradually they managed to encourage the animal back towards the tent. The exciting news had spread through the town and crowds of people had arrived to watch the exciting spectacle from every possible vantage point. By now the police were struggling to keep the crowds back! Finally Buff Bill managed to secure the lion in his cage. The mass of clothing, hats, caps, umbrellas and shawls which lay in the Police Office waiting for their owners to claim them gave a clear picture of the confusion and excitement which took place that day.