Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1873-01-13
Harnum's Gorilla.

Harnum's Gorilla.
From the St. Louis (Missouri) Democrat.
1t is seldom that We are called upon to note
q more painful fact than that which we now
record aud which is uothing more nor less
than the rumored death of Barnum's gorilla,
who is supposed to have perished in the haules
of the museum recently consumed. Ihe news
of his untimely and frightful end will cause
feeling of heartfelt agony to thrill the boSoms
of his many friends throughout the country,
who witnessed his playful antics IN his cage
wherever Barnum went on his last summer
tour, or enjoyed his society at beer saloon
when the labors Of the day and evening cxhl-
bitions were ended.
The deceased gorilla was young man of
exemplary habits, and by his versatile industry
supported an aged father and mother IN Jcr-
sew CITY, who can hardly bear their present
loss. His original uame was Briggs, and Le
was not of Celtic origin, as has been enormously
stated. Mr.. Barnum became acquainted With
Young Briggs many years ago, and keen ob-
server of human nature as he is, he soon saw
that the boy possessed talents which would, If
rightly applied, bring him IBto public notice.
Mr. I}aruum first employed Briggs as mer-
macd, bu. his nervous sanguneous tempera-
ment uutitted him for wearing wig and cod.
fish skin, and he was shortly after promoted
to the position of wild man. In this ne
achieved no success, and 1t was not until
Barnum put his great travelling snow on
the road in 1872 and gave Briggs the position
of gorilla, that he developed those &c
ccntriclties that have made him famous For
two years no better specimen of the gorilla
tribe has been seen on this continent. Though
natural by conyva and socia' in his tastes, he has
sat iu his cage an object of wonder and admlra-
ton to thousands, and submitted to being
stirred up with long pole for the benefit OF
country cergymen, who stood by explaining to
their youthful Sabbath. school scholars how
tearfully and wonderfully we are made. NO
murmur OF discomfort ever escaped his lips,
except at Terre Haute, Ind, last July, when
he was heard to remark he be id If ne
could stand it much longer wearing hair over.
coat in hot weather on a salary of $50 week.
His salary was at once elevated to $3.50
week, and he was allowed ice in his den there
after aud no better behaved specimen OF his
tribe was ever placed on exhibition.
Mr.. Barum, We are informed, with charac-
terstc energy, has telegraphcd to Africa tor
other specimens of rare wild beasts, to supply
the place Of those destroyed by the late con-
fagraton, He may procure elephants, lions,
tigers and cockatoos. but he can never ill the
inpstonc, with all of his experience in African
iungles, can capture SO fine specimen, one
who could capcr SO nimbly around his seven by
nine cage, and dance to the lascivlous tickhngs
of his keeper sclub with such patience. Gorilla,
adieu and may the hairy, tour-legged Pheoix
who arises from your ashes possess your noble
qualities of mind and heart, and give entire sa.
tisfaction to deluded public for the usual
price of half dollar. d.
MARRIED AFTER Sixty YEARS OF COURT
suIp-A marriage ceremony, says the WIN
stcd, Ct., Herald, occurred in the classic To-
cality of Suukapogue, East Lyme, on Thanks
giving Day, which merits notice 1t was cele-
brated at the residence Of Deacon George Girls
void. The bridegroom was John Griswold
Rogers, youthful bachelor of seventy-eight
summers, who wooed and won his bride more
than half hundred years ago. The blushing
bride was Eliza Dcnison Grlswold who is past
sweet sixtcen-there having been several cold
winters since then; at the present time she is
of the mature age of seventy nine. The cere-
mony was performed by the Rev. l.. S. Hough,
of the congregational Church. Among the
guests were two brothers of the bride, aged
unitedly one hundred aud thirty one years.
Another brother, aged seventy seven, was ap-
sent Allen Rogers, of New London, aged
eighty-one, brother of the groom, was de-
tanned at home The couple belong to long
lived race, and they no doubt have many years
of welded bliss before them.
The late Rev H. L. Vail, being then pastor
Of the church in East Lyme, published this
constant couple about the year 1882 or 1858,
aud the wedding was expected to take place
immediately thereafter. And SO tar as Is
known, there never was any misunderstanding,
or unpleasautucSs, or milf, or tiare-up that can
he assigned as the cause of the delay. They
have always been considered engaged, both
hy themselves and the neighbors, aud during a
visit to Fast Lyme. not very long ago, We were
informed that this ancient beau still made his
every other Sunday evening CALL and had hard
ly failed TO do so single fortnight for sixty
years Cautious and prudent pair! If all
followed their example there would not be so
much unhappness resulting from hasty mar
rlageS.
CABBAGE Soup. Take large cabbage, three
carrots, two onions, FIVE slices lean bacon, salt
and pepper to taste, two quarts of medium
stock. Scad the cabbage, cut it up and drain
it. Line the stew pan with the bacon, put IN
the cabbage. carrots and onions. Moisten with
Skiu,miugs from the stock. Simmer very gently
till the cabbage is tender. Add the stock, stew
softly for half an hour. and carefully skim OFT
every particle of tat. Season aud serve. 1t
takes one hour aud half to cook This is a
splendid soup for cool weather, and this guam
tlty ls sufficient for eight persons.
NO. ~ KING STREET.