The Vermont transcript. [volume] (St. Albans, Vt.) 1864-1870, 1867-06-28
Exciting Scene in an English Town.
Escape of Tbrcc coriiias from - Mcnng-
erie.


England, on the Goth ultimo. Three
gorllas escaped from menagerie,
frightened the people Of the town, and
then took walk ON the road. The
affair is described 10y local journal:
Islanders Grand National Star
Menageric had been exhibiting in the
town, and on 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 Waterman, as usual, left
in charge. Mr. Manders, who travels
with the mcnageric himself, retired to
rest about 2 o'clock ON Sunday morn
ing having previously made a person
al inspection Of the caravans, finding
everything apparently right and So
curo.
The Waterman was sitting smoking
his pipe at the side OF a large coke fire
in the centre of the enclosure, about
half-past five o'clock, when he sudden
~ felt himself pinioned from behind
He tried III vain to free himself, and
at length lie shouted Justify for help
Mr. Maudcrs, hearing the cutlery of
the Waterman, and also the furious
barking of two large mastiiT dogs,
opened side window Of the carriage
in which he lives, and was startled to
see the watchmen in the grip of one
Of the large gorillas he had recently
added to the menagerie
Mr. Manders, calling to the watch
man to keep himse perfectly quiet
and still, hastily dressed himself, and,
arming himself with II very large
sledgc hammer, lie went to the rescue.
When the gorilla noticed the app
proach of Mr.. Manders, it released
the Waterman, who was luckily
more frightened than hurt, and it at
once sprang up one of the poles and
on to the tits of the menagerie An
inspection was Immediately made of
the caravan in which the three gorill-
as had been left perfectly safe the
previous evening, and Mr. Manders
was horror.struek to find that the an
imals had positively torn up the floor
ing of the caravan and had all three
+
covered that the trio were seated COM
fortably on the top ridge of the can
vas roof, evidently holding high coun-
ell as to their future proceedings.
Mr.. Manders Immediately despatch
ed messenger to the various lodg-
ings of the keepers, grooms, &c, at
tached to the menagerie, and ON their
arrival steps were devised for tho re-
capture Of the gorillas. This was
much more easily prrangcd than car
RED out. A long ladder was procured,
and one of the keepers, with II heavy
riding whip, ascenGed to the roof of
! the menagerie, but from the threat
cning attitude assumed by the gorilas
on noticing his approach Mr.. Mand-
ers ordered the man to descend again.
A gun, loaded with blank cartridge,
was then fred at the animals, and this
/ had the desired effect of dislodging
them from their elevated position.
/ The gorillas, with a harnd yell, sprang
from the ridge, ran along the roofs of
the caravans, and, Jumping from off
the elephant wagon, Immediately pro-
ceeded at rapid swing trot along the
Derby road.
This was about seven O'Clock, and
the news that something peculiar had
occurred at the menagere having
spread like wildfre through tho quiet
town of Belper, large number of the
inhabitants had gathered round the
caravans. As soon as the gun was
fired, as previously mentioned, and the
gorillas made their downward move
ment, perfect panic seized the by
ISLANDERS, and away went the crowd in
all directions. MIR. Manders mount
ing his pony, at once proceeded at a
gallop along the Derby road, ms ruct-
ing some of the keepers to follow on
horseback Immediately.
Mr. Manders, after n sharp span OF
about mile or two came up with the
hindmost of the gorillas, who were
proceeding along the highway in In
dian file. Riding alongside the ami
nal, which displayed his molars in Il
threatening manner, Mr.. Manders adj
ministered crushing blow with a
large lar of iron gas tubing across its
loins, causing it to drop instantly.
Having some coils of rope attached to
his saddle-bow, Mr.. Manders dis
mounted, and, with the assistance OF
some of the keepers, who had arrived
at the scene of action, gorilla No. /
was cifectualiy secured and placed in
an adjoining stable for safety, while
tbs chase was resumed.
The capture of the second gorilla
was very easily accomplished, he be-
ing partially stunned by large stone
thrown at his head by one of the keep
ers 1t now only remained to secure
the third animal, which was discovered
III the branches of large oak grow
ing by the wayside. His gorllashil
appeared to wonderfully appreciate
his new quarters, springing from
branch to branch with marvellous ce-
lerity for so large an animal. Means
of various kinds were adopted to cap
turo him, but for length OF time OF
: no avail. Stones were thrown III pro
fusion; several guns were fired, and
? at length three or four OF the keep
ers, we'll armed, assembled the tree
with strict orders 10 shoot the gorilla
n, c,ea az amy determined reslgtauce