Two weeks ago, my husband and I spent a week in Payson, Arizona. Mostly, we went to rest and recreate and get out of the scorching heat of Phoenix. But we did spend a few afternoons doing a little sightseeing. I’ve lived in Arizona most of my life and visited Payson many times. But I learned some new things on this trip that surprised me, and I think might surprise you, too.
We thought the small and quaint Payson Museum would be just a little stop on our afternoon outing. Instead, we spent almost two hours there, soaking up the local history. On one wall hung a series of pictures that I almost missed and would have if my husband didn’t call me over. After reading this truly amazing story, I can’t believe someone hasn’t made it into a movie!
I tried to take the best pictures I could. I hope you can read the account in full and make out the old black and white pictures. But here’s what happened in a nutshell:
Jackie, a lion cub born in the wild, went on to become the second Leo the Lion, the trademark logo for MGM Films (he was the first lion to roar). He also appeared in numerous films. In 1927, MGM planned a publicity stunt and hired a pilot to fly Leo from California to New York. Leo and his 400 pound cage were loaded into a small plane. Over the Mogollom Rim, in the area outside Payson, Arizona around Hell’s Gate, the pilot experienced trouble and was forced to crash land the plane. By some miracle, both the pilot and Leo survived with only minor injuries.
Having no choice, the pilot left Leo in his cage with a supply of water and hiked for three days before reaching help. When rescuers at last reached Leo, he was in bad shape but revived with fresh water and a butchered calf that had been dragged to the site. Leo was eventually retired to live out his life at the Philadelphia Zoo.
Now, I’ve been to Hell’s Gate, and there’s a reason for the name. It’s some pretty rugged country, and the steep slopes leading down to the creek are almost straight up and down. I can’t imagine crashing a small plane there among the tall pines and craggily boulders and then having to hike out for three days with no food or fresh water. Not an easy feat. Both the pilot and Leo surely had the will to survive – and an amazing story to tell later!
Cathy McDavid has been penning Westerns for Harlequin since 2005. With over 55 titles in print and 1.6 million-plus books sold, Cathy is also a member of the prestigious Romance Writers of America’s Honor Roll. This “almost” Arizona native and mother of grown twins is married to her own real-life sweetheart. After leaving the corporate world seven years ago, she now spends her days penning stories about good looking cowboys riding the range, busting broncs, and sweeping gals off their feet — oops, no. Make that winning the hearts of feisty, independent women who give the cowboys a run for their money. It a tough job, but she’s willing to make the sacrifice.
Very interesting!
I know, isn’t it? Who knew?
wow, thanks for sharing the history. I used to love that lion.
I read that there were quite a few Leos over the years 🙂
How interesting!!! I love the big cats!! Probably why I loved the movie Born Free so much!!
I loved that movie, too, Trudy 🙂
I had no idea what a great story!
I had no idea, either, and I literally rode on horseback down to near the very site the plane crashed.
Incredible story!
I’m still wondering whose idea it was at MGM to fly a lion cross country in a small plane.
What a great story!
You can’t make this stuff up!
Very interesting! Thank you for sharing.
And thanks for stopping by, Barbara!
Thanks for stopping by, Barbara!
What a great story . Thanks for sharing.
I know. Isn’t it, Linda?
Thank you for the history on Leo the lion. Very interesting!
What an adventure for Leo.
I can’t begin to imagine 🙂
Wow, Cathy! That is so fascinating about all the lions who were Leo, and the sad adventure of crashing. Glad he and the pilot were okay!
I know, Shanna. I’m imagining the rescuers dragging up a butchered calf through though rugged mountains to bring to Leo.
Thanks so much for the interesting post. It is amazing that the lion wasn’t more seriously injured and survived with little to eat and drink plus the attack of the screwworms. The pilot certainly faced his own trials. It took a community effort to rescue them both.
I agree, Patricia. Quite an amazing story.
Wow! Incredible story! I’ve always loved those lions, especially the roar. I’m a student pilot, so I can’t imagine crashing in those tall trees and surviving (and Leo surviving). Miracle!