Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1867-07-12
Exciting Scene in an English
Town.
ESCAPE OF THREE GoRILLAs FROM A
MENAGERIE.


An extraordinary scene occurred in the
town of Belper, in Derbyshire, England,
on the 26ih ultimo. Three gorillas es-
capped from menagerie, frightened the
people Of the town, and then took walk
on the road. The affair is described by
local Journal:
Manders' Grand National Star Me-
nagerie had been exhibiting in the town,
and OH the conclusion of the feeding of
the animals on Saturday night, about
twelve O'Clock, the whole of the dens were
properly fastened, and a night watchman,
as usual, left in charge. Mr. Manders,
who travels with the managerie himself,
retired TO rest about 2 o'clock on Sunday
morning, having previously made a per-
sonal inspection of the caravans, finding
everything apparently right and secure.
The watchman was sitting smoking his
pipe at ihe side of large coke fire in the
centie of the enclosure, about halfpast
FIVE o'clock, when he suddenly felt himself
pinioned from behind. lie tried in vain
TO free himself, and at length he shouted
Justify for help. Mr.. Manders hearing the
outcry Of the watchman, and also the fu-
rious barking of two large mastiff dogs,
opened side window Of the carriage IN
which he lives, and was startled TO see the
watchman in the grip Of one of the large
gorillas he had recently added to the me-
nagerie.
Mr. Manders calling 10 the watchman
to keep himself perfectly quiet and still,
hastily dressed himself, and. arming him
self with very large sledge hammer, he
went to the rescue. When the gorilla no.
ticed the approach of Mr.. Manders, it re-
leased the watctman, who was luckily
more frightened than hurt, and it at once
sprang up on one of the poles and on TO
the tits of the managerie. An inspection
was Immediately made of the caravan in
which the three gorllas had been left per-
fectly safe the previous evening, and Mr..
Manders was horror struck TO find that the
animals had positively torn up the floor
ing of the caravan and had all three made
their escape. 1t was then discovered that
the trio were seated comfortably on the
top ridge Of the canvass roof, evidently
holding high council as to their future pro-
ceedings.
Mr.. Manders Immediately despatched
messenger 10 the various lodgings of the
keepers, grooms, &c, attached to the me-
nagerie, and on their arrival steps were
devised for the recap'ure of the gorillas.
This was much more easily arranged than
carried out. A long ladder was procured,
and one of the keepers with a heavy rid
ing whip, ascended TO the roof of the me-
nagerie, but from the threatening attitude
assumed by the gorillas on noticing his
approach, Mr.. Manders ordered the man
TO descend again. A gun, loaded with
blank cartridge, was then fired at the ami
inals, and this had the desired effect Of
dislodging them from their elevated posi-
ton. The gorillas with horrid yell,
sprang from the ridge, ran along the roofs
Of the caravans, and jumping from off The
ell phant wagon, immediately proceeded at
rapid swing trot along the Derby road.
This was about seven O'Clock, and the
news that something peculiar had occurred
at the menagerie having spread like Wild
fire through the quiet town of Belper,
large number of the inhabitants had gath
cred round the caravans. As soon as the
gun was fred, as previously mentioned,
and the gorillas made their dawnward
movement, perfect panic seized the by
ISLANDERS, and away went the crowd in all
directions Mr.. Manders, mounting his
pony, at once proceeded at gAlop along
the Derby road. iustructing some Of the