Prescott journal. [volume] (Prescott, Wis.) 1861-1871, 1867-10-12
ARRIVAL q sorIIla Iron AfrIea-Ths

Arrival Of a Gorilla from Afriea-The
Beast at EarRum's Museum
For the first time there is a live go
rilla'n New York-a gorilla like those
OF which Du Chaillu has told so many
wonderful stories in Equatorial Arri-
ca" and "Ashango Land"
At late hour yesterday afternoon
there was an extraordinary excitement
in the neighborhood of Bsrnun's mu-
scum. The gorilla had arrived and
his roars had attracted crowd of spec
tators.
The animal was caught in the inte-
rior 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-th
toughest material that could be found
in Africa. A huge cart-chain, fastened
to the neck of the gorilla, passed thfO'
this box, and was nailed fast to the
outside. " .s
From the jarring the gorilla received
yesterday during its transportation
from the ship to the museum it became
exasperated, and growled furiously dur
ing the trip. After the box had been
taken into the Museum, Chas. Broth
well, the Museum carpenter, loosened
the chain from the outside of the box,
and by direction of Prof. Dawson, at
tached to it a rope. by which the ami
NAL 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 to a beam of the building
beneath the cage.
The rope was attached, when the go
rilla began pulling in his chain. Prof.
Dawson and Mr.. Brothwell both grasp
! ed the chain, and several men behind
grasped the rope, but their united eff
forts were unequal to the task. The
animal with apparent ease pulled into
his box both chain and rope, and I'M
tying the rope from the chain dropped
it from hole in the cage.
Mr.. Brothwell then got the largest
cage scraper in the buildings huge
wrought iron bar an inch and three
quarters thick, TO which is attached a
small spa1e-for the purpose of bring
ing ont the end of the chain. This
scraper had been used successfully in
several contests with the hons of the
establishment, which had vaiuly tried
TO make an impression upon 1t with
their jaws.
Mr.. Brothwell and Professor Dawson
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.. sBrothwell 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, aud his
chain secured to the beams under
meath. I'D
During all this excitement the gorilla
growled furiOusly, the sound resent bling
the excited roar of lion.
All the beasts in the building became
excited, and the place resOunded with
their cries. Women tainted and child
rem cried, but the crowd would not
leave the room until the manager or
dered them to be put out by force. A
large barricade was erected and the
doorway blocked up F
The gorilla is now smelly in the lions
cage and Gained down. An immense
chain, with a resistant force of six
thousand pounds, is attached TO the
animal.
For five years past Mr.. Barnum has
been endeayoring to secure an animal
of this species, and ordered his agent
in Africa to secure one without regard
to cost. h
Mr.. b. f. Clayton, Mr., Barnum's
agent, a few months since wrote that
he could secure one for $1,000, but
that the British Government were
making every effort to secure it for the
Geological Garden in London. Mr..
Barnum sent word that he must have
this one if it cost a much greater sum.
Accordingly, the gorilla was brought
to America, and is now safe at the Mu-
scum.
When standing upright it is about
five and half feet in height, and is
about the color OF an elephant. Its
face has more the appearance of human
being than of a monkey, with an eye
exactly like that of human being. It's
hand Is as delicate as that of wom-
ans, and it would not seem possible
that there is In il such muscular
power. f5ses...s ..
This morning it exhibited an intense
hatred of Mr. Brothwell, who was yes
terday instrumental in its capture,
Professor Dawson feeds the animal
upon vegetables, but allows nothing of
acid to be placed in the cage. If the
gorilla becomes irritable, il is soon
quieted by placing few cloves or nut
megs in its cage.-N Y. Post.