The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-01-03

BaRSUM's GoRILLA-A ToUCH1SG TRIBUTE
TO HIS MEMoRY.-GSt. Louis Democrat 1T
is seldom that VIC are called upon to note a
more painful fact than that which we now
record and which is nothing more nor less
than the ru!norcd death Of Barnum'S gorilla,
who is supposed to have persisted III tho
flames of the museum recently consumed.
The news of his untimrlv and lri-htful end
will cause feeling of heartfelt agony TO
thrill the boSomS Of his many friends through
out the country, who witnessed his playful
antics in his care wherever Blrnun went on
his last summers tour. or enjoyed his society
nj a beer saloon when the IabOrS Of The day
and evenings exhibitions were GUIDED.
The deceased gorilla was Young man OF
exemplary habits. and by his versatile indus
try supported an aged Father and mother in
Jersey City, who can hardly bear their pre-
sent loss. His original name was Brig, and
he was of Yankee not Cell" origin, rs has
been enormously stated. Mr.. Harnum be-
came acquainted with Young ErI"%s many
years ago, and keen observer Of human HI.
t,lrr ~ he i, he soon saiW that the boy pos
sc>>ed taIrnls which would, If rightly ap-
uiicd, BRING him into pubic notice. Mr.. Bar
mum first rml,uycd Briggs ~ Il mermaid.
but hi nrry"ll> San@uincoH~ temperament
untitled him for wearing wi" ana goldfish
skin, and lir was shortly after promoted TO
the position nf wild man. In this hCachicv"d
no success and il was not until liarntm put
his great travelling show on the road i'll
1872, and gave Briggs the position Of gorilla,
that hr dcvcluntd those ccccnrCitics that
have made him famous. For two years no
better specimen Of The gorilla tribe has been
seen on this continent. Though naturally
conyiyiaI and social in his tastes. he has sl
IN. his cage an OBJECT OF wonder and admiral
ton to Thousands and submitted 10 being
stirred vi, with Il loi% pole for the benefit oil
country clcrgvmrn, VINO -lood hy explaining
to their youthful Sabbatll-School scholars
how iiariullv and wonderfully we are made.
No mlrmur Of discomfort ever escaped his
lips, except at Tclrc Iiautc, Ind. last July,
when he was heard to remark he'd lie ID
if he could stlnd it much longer wearing
hair oycrcoat in hot weather on a salary OF
SO II week" His salary was at once cle-
waited to Sl2.JG a week, and he was allowed
ice in his den thereafter and no better be-
haycd specimen Of his tribe was ever placed
on exhibition.
Mr.. Barnllm, we are informed. with chit
ractCristic energy, has tclcgraphcd to Africa
for other specimens Of rare wild l'ca>tS, to
supply the place of those destroyed by the
late contlagratiUn. lie may procure Gle
plants, lions, tigers, and cockatoos, but he
can never ill the place Of Gorilla Briggs.
Not even DR.. Livingstone, with all of his cS.
pcriencc in African iung!cs, can capture 80
fine a specimen, one who could capcr SO
nmbly around his seven by nine cage,
and dance to the lascrious ticklinSs of his
keepers club with such patience. Gorilla,
adieu! and may the hairy, four-legged Pho
nix who arises from your ashes possess your
noble qualities of mind and heart, and give
entire satisfaction to dcluded public for the
usual price of half dollar.