Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1873-01-16
BARNUM'S GORILLA.

The Missouri Democrat contains the follow
ing obituary notice of one of Barnum's great
curiosities which is supposed to have been de-
stroyed in the late fire:
It is seldom that we are called upon to note
more painful fact than that which we now
record and which is nothing more nor less
than the rumored death of Barnum's gorilla,
who is supposed to have perished in the
flames of the Museum recently consumed.
The news of his untimely and frightful end
will cause q feeling of heartfelt agony to
thrill the bosoms of his many friends through.
out the country, who witnessed his playful
antics in his cage wherever Barnum went on
his last summers tour, or enjoyed his society
at beer saloon when the labors of the day
and evenings exhibitions were ended.
The deceased gorilla was young man of
exemplary habits, and by his versatile industry
supported an aged father and mother in Jer-
sey City, who can hardly bear their present
loss His original name was Briggs, and he
was of Yankee, not Celtic origin, as has been
erroneously stated. Mr.. Barnum became &C.
quainted with young Briggs many years ago,
and keen observer of human nature that he
is, he soon saw that the boy possessed talents
which would, if rightly applied, bring him
into public notice. Mr.. Barnum first employ
ed Briggs as mermaid, but his nervous san.
guineous temperament untitled him for wear.
ing wig and q Goldfish skin, and he was
shortly after promoted to the position of wild
man. In this he achieved no success, and it
was not until Barnum put his great travelling
show on the road in 1870, and gave Briggs
the position of gorilla, that he developed those
eccentricities that have made him famous.
For two years no better specimen Of the 60
rila tribe has been seen on this continent.
Though naturally convivial and social in his
taste, he has sat in his cage an object of won.
der and admiration to thousands, and SUBJ
mitted to being stirred up with a long pole
for the benefit of country clergymen, who
stood by explaining to their youthful Sab
bath School scholars how fearfully and won
derfully we are made. No murmur Of dis.
content ever escaped his lips, except at Terre
Haute, Indiana, last last July, when he was
heard to remark that he'd be id if he could
stand it much longer wearing a hair overcoat
in hot weather, on salary of $40 week"
His salary was at once elevated to $3.50 q
week, and he was allowed ice in bis den
thereafter, and no better behaved specimen
of his tribe was ever placed on exhibition.
Mr.. Barnum, we are informed, with char
acteristic energy, has telegraphed to Africa
for other specimens of rare wild beasts, to
supply the places of those destroyed by the
late confagration. He may procure ele-
phants, lions, tigers and cockatoos, but be can
never fill the place Of Gorilla Briggs. Not
even DR.. Livingstone, with all of his expert
ence in African jungles, can capture so fine a
specimen one who could caper so nimbly
around his seven by nine cage, and dance to
the lascivious ticklings of his keepers club
with such patience. Gorilla, adieu, and may
the hairy four legged Phoenix who arises from
your ashes possess your noble qualities of
mind and heart, and give entire satisfaction
to deluded public for the usual price OF
half a dollar.