The Richmond palladium. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1855-1875, 1867-10-03
Arrival Of Live Gorilla from Africa
Wonderful Displays Of Strength.

Arrival Of Live Gorilla from Africa
Wonderful Displays Of Strength.
For the first time there is live goril
la in New York-a gorilla like those Of
which Du Chanillu has told 50 many
wonderful stories in !" Equatorial Afri-
ca" and ]" Ashango Land"
At late hour yesterday afternoon
there was an extraordinary excitement
in the neighborhood of Barnum's Muse-
um. The gorilla had arrived, and his
roars attracted a 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
teak wood plank-the toughest material
that could be found in Africa. A huge
chain, fastened to the neck of the gorilla,
passed through this box, and was nailed
fast to the outside.
From the Earring the gorrilly received
yesterday during its transportation from
VIC SAlP w tAC OAuSCulA UONouO CAuo-
perated, and growled furiously during
the trip. After the box had been taken
into the Museum, Mr.. Charles Brothwcll,
the Museum carpenter, loosened the
chain from the outside of the box, and
by direction of Professor Davinson, at
tached to it a rope, by which the animal
was to be led from the box to the cage,
by running the rope through the bottom
of the cage and then fastening the chain
10 a beam of the building beneath the
cage. -
The rope was attached, when the gor
lila began pulling in his chain. Pro
fesssor Davinson and Mr.. Brothwell
both glasped the chain, and several men
behind grasped the rope, but their uni
ted efforts were unequal to the task
The animal with apparent ease pulled
into his box both chain and rope, and
untying the rope from the chain dropped
it from q hole in the cage. R e
Mr. Brothwell then got the largest
sage scraper in the building-a huge
wrought iron bar an inch and three-qua
tiers thick; to which is attached small
spade-for the purpose of bringing out
the end of the chain. This scraper had
been used successfully in several. con-
tests with the lions of the establishment,
which had vainly tried to make an inn
preston upon it with their jaws.
Mr.. Brothwell and Professor Davinson
each took scraper, and from opposite
ends of the cage endeavored to foil the
gorilla, and grasp the end of the chain.
Finally the gorilla seized the bar which
Mr.. Brothwell held. Another man, who
is noted for his muscular strength, came
to the rescue, but the animal proved
their superior, and bent the heavy piece
of iron double, so that the ends touched.
During this effort, however, the chain
was secured, and the box put to the
cage, the animal entrapped, and his
chain secured to the beams underneath.
During all this excitement the gorilla
growled furiously, the sound resembling
the excited roar Of lion.
All the beasts in the building became
excited, and the place resounded with
their cries. Women tainted and chill
dren cried, but the crowd would not
leave the room until the manager order
ed them to be put out by force. A large
was erected and the doorway
blocked up.
The gorilla was now safely in the |
lions cage, and claimed down. An i'm |
mense chain, with a resistant force Of
six thousand pounds. is attached to the |
animal
For five years past Mr.. Barnum has
been endeavoring to secure an animal of |
This sI ecies, and ordered his agent in /
Africa to secure one without regard to /
cost
Mr.. B. F. Clayton, Mr.. Barnum's
agent, few months since wrote that he /
could secure one for $4,000, but that
the British government were making
every exertion to secure it for the Zoo
logical G arden in London. Mr.. Barnum
sent word that he must have this one if
It cost a much greater sum. Accord
ngly; the gorilla was brought to Ameri
ca, and is now safe at the Museum.
When standing upright it is about five
and half feet in height, and is about
he color of an elephant. It's face has
more the appearance of human being
han that of q monkey, with an eye ex-
actly like that of a human being. Its
hand is as delicate as that OF q woman's,
Ind it would not seem possible that
here is in it such muscular power.
This morning it exhibited an intense
hatred of Mr.. Brothwell, who was yes
'erday instrumental in its capture.