Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1867-10-19
Arrival OF a Live Gorilla from Africa
Wonderful Display Of Strength.
CHARLOTTESVILLE, VA.

Arrival OF a Live Gorilla from Africa
Wonderful Display Of Strength
For the first tine theIe is live gorilla
in New York-a gorilla like those OF
which DuChaIllu has told so many won
derfUl stories in Equatorial Africa" and
"Ashango Land"
At late hour yesterday afternoon
there was an extraordinary excitement in
The neighborhood of Barnum's Museum.
The gorilla had arrived, and his roars at
trac,ed crowd OF spectators.
The animal was caught in the interior
OF Africa, and was put safely on board the
sailing ship Harding, and conveyed to
this port. The box in which it was Gagged
during the voyage was made OF leak wood
plank-the roughesl material that could
be found in Africa. A huge cart chain
fastened to the neck Of The gorilla, pass
ing through this box, and was nailed fast
10 the outside.
From tue jarring the gorilla received
yesterday during its transportation from
the ship to the Museum it became eXas-
peraied, and growled furousIy during the
trip. After the box had been taken into
The Museum, Mr.. Charles Brothwell, the
Museum carpenter, loosened the chain
from the outside Of the box, and by direc-
ton Of Professor Dawson, attached to |,
rope, by which the animal was 10 be led
from the box TO the cage, by running the
rope through the bottom Of the cage and
then fastening the chal0 10 beam ot The
building beneath the cage.
The rope was attached, when the gOE-
lila began pulling in his chain. Professor
Dawson and Mr.. Brolhwell both grasped
the chain, and several men behind grasped
the rope, but their united efforts were un-
equal 10 the task. The animal with ap-
parent ease pulled into his box both chain
and rope, and unity ing the rope from the
chain dropped ii from hole IN the cage.
Mr.. Bro,hwell then 60, the larges, cage
scraper in the buildlng-a huge wrought
iron bar an inch and lhree-quarlers thirk
10 which is attached a small spsJe-for
the purpose Of bringing out the end Of the
chain. This scrsper had been used snc-
cessfully in several contests with the lions
of the eslaoli-hmcn', which had vanIy
tried 10 make an impression upon it With
their jaws.
Mr. Brolhwell and Professor Dawson
each took scraper, and from opposite
ends of the cage endeavored to foil the
gorilla, and grasped the end Of the chain
Finally the gorilla seized the bar which
Mr.. Bro,hweIl held, Ano'her man, who
is noted for lis muscular strength, came
TO his rescue. but the animal proved their
superior, and Dent the heavy piece Of iron
double, SO that The ends touched.
During this effort, however, tie chain
was secured, and the box pu, 10 the cage,
The animal enHapped, and his chain Sc
cured 10 the beams underneath.
During all this excitement the gorilla
growled luriously, the sound resembling
The excited roar of lion.
All the beasts in the place became ex-
cited ; and the place Tesounded with 'keir
cries.
Women tainted and children cried, but
the crowd would not leave the room until
the manager ordered them 10 be put out
by force. A large bsrrcade was erected
and the doorway blocked up.
The gorilla is now safely in the lions
cage, and calmed down. An immonse
chain, with a resistant force Of six thou
sand pounds, is attached to the animal.
For FIVE years past, Mr.. Barnum has
been endeavorng TO secure an animal of
this species, and ordered his agent in AZ
rica TO secure one without regard 10 cost
Mr.. B. F. Clayton, Nj. Bsrnum's agent
few months since wrote that he could
secure one for $4,000 but thai the British
government were making every exerllon
10 secure il for the Geological Garden in
London. Mr.. Barnum sent word that he
must have this one if it cost much great
er sum. Accordingly, the gorilla was
brought 10 America, and is now safe al The
Museum.
When standing uprigh, il is about five
and half feet in height, and is about the
color of an elephant. lis face has more
the appearance Of human being than that
Of monkey, with an eye exactly like
that OF human being. lis hand is as
delicate as that of woman's, and it
would not seem possible that there is in
it so much muscular power.
This morning il exhibited an Intense