Frostburg mining journal. [volume] (Frostburg, Md.) 1871-1913, 1873-01-25
RIRNLNS GORILLA.

BIRNUMS GORILLA.
1t is seldom that We are called upon
note a more painful fact than that
which we now record, and which is
nothing more nor less than the rlimored
death of Barnums gorilla, who is sup
posed to have persisted in the flames of
the Museum recently consumed. The
news of his untimely and frightful end
will cause a feeling of heartfelt agony to
thrill the bosoms of his many friends
throughout the country, who witnessed
his playful antics i'll his cage wherever
Barnum went ON his last summers tour.
or enjoyed his society at Il beer-saloon
when the labors of the day and evenings
exhibitions were ended.
The deceased gorilla was Il young man
of exemplary habits, and by his versatile
industry supported an aged father and
mother in Jersey City, who can hardly
bear their present loss. His original
name was Briggs, and he was of Yankee,
not Celtic, origin, as has been erronc
ously stated Mr. Barnum became ac-
quainted with young Briggs many years
ago, and keen observer of human nature
that he is, he soon saw that the boy pos
sessed talents that would if rightly APP
piled bring him into public notice. Mr..
Barnum first employed Briggs as a mer
maid, but his nervous sanguineous tenn
permanent untitled him for wearing Il wig
and a 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 i'll
1870, and gave Briggs the position of
gorilla, that he developed those eccon-
tricities that have made him famous.
For two years no better specimen of the
gorilla tribe has been seen on this CONT
nent. Though natural and convivial in
his tastes, he has sat in his cage an
object of wonder and admiration to thou
sands, and submitted to being stirred up
with Il long pole for the benefit of coun-
try clergymen, who stood by explaining
to their youthful Sabbath-school scholars
how fearfully and wonderfully we are
made. No murmur of discomfort ever
escaped his lips, except ut Terre Haute,
Ind, last July, when he was heard to
remark that he'd "be ID if he could
stand it much longer wearing Il hair
overcoat III hot weather on a salary of
so week" His salary was at once
elevated to ST. 80 IL week. and he was
allowed ice in his den thereafter, and no
better behaved specimen of his tribe WAS
ever placed on exhibition
| Mr. Barnlm, we are informed, with
characteristic energy, has telegraphed to
Africa for other specimens of rare wild
beasts, to supply the places of those
destroyed by the late conhagration. He
may procure elephants, lions, tigers and
cockatoos, but he can never fill the place
Of Gorilla Briggs Not even DIR. Liv
ingstone, with all his experience i'll
African iungles, can capture so fine IL
specimen, one who could caper so MIN
| bly, around his seven by nine cage, and
dance to the lasciyious ticklings of his
keepers club with such patience.
Gorilla, alieu and may the hairy four
legged Phoenix who arises from your
ashes possess your noble qualities of
mind and heart. and give entire satsfac-
faction to deluded public for the usual
price of half II dollar.-.H Lo'j$
DCluOcrUf