Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1873-01-23
A Touching Tribute to the Memory
of Barnum's Gorilla.
BY ONE WHO KNEW HIM WELL,


1t 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 persisted in the flames of the Muse
um recently consumed. The news of his
untimely and frightful end will cause feel
| ing of heartfelt agony to thrill the bosoms
of his many friends throughout the coun-
try, who witnessed his playful antics in
his cage wherever Barnum went on his
last summers tour, or enjoyed his society
at a beer saloon when the labors of the
day and evening exhibitions were ended.
The deceased gorilla was a young man
OF exemplary habits, and by his versatile
Industry supported al 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 enormously
stated. Mr.. Barnum became acquainted
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 employed Briggs as
a mermaid, Int his nervous
sanguineous temperament untitled
him for wearing a wig and cod
fish skin, and he was shortly after pro-
NOTED to the position Of wild man. In
this he achieved no success, and it was
not until BaInum put his great travelling
slow On the road in 1870, and gave
Briggs the position of gorilla, that he de-
veloped those eccentricities that have
made him famous. For two wears no bet
ter specimen of the gorilla tribe has been
seen on this continent. Though natural
and conyivial in his tastes, he has sat in
his cage an object of wonder and admira-
ton to thousands, and submitted to being
stirred up with long pole for the benefit
of 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 at Terre Haute,
Ind, last July, when he was heard to re-
mark that he'd ''be blamed if he could
. stand it much longer wearing a hair over
coat in hot weather on salary Of SO a
week" His salary was at once elevated
to $12 so week, and he was allowed ice
in his den thereafter, and no better be
haved specimen of his tribe was ever
placed on exhibition.
MIR. Barnum, 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 conflagration. He
may procure elephants lions, tigers, and
cockatoos, but he can never fill the place
OF Gorilla Briggs. Not even DR.. Living
stone, with all of disappearance 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
ticklings of his keepers club with such
patience. Gorilla, adieu. ard may the
hairy four-legged Phoenix who arises
from your ashes possess your noble
qualities Of mind and heart, and give en-
tire satisfaction to deluded public for
the usual price of half a dollar.-St.
Louis Democrat.