Alpena weekly argus. [volume] (Alpena, Mich.) 1871-1893, 1873-01-28
yarnuis's GoriIia.

BarnulR'S Gorilla.
1t il seldom that we are calico
upon to note a more painful fac
than that which we now record, anC
which is nothing moro nor less than
the rumored death of Barnum''
gorilla, who is supposed to have
persisted in the flames of the Muse
um recently consumed. The news
of his untimely and frightful end
viii cause a feeling of heartfelt ag-
ony to thrill the bosom of his many
friends throughout the country,
who witnessed his playful antics in
his cage wherever Barnum went on
/. his last summers tour, or enjoyed
his society at 4 bcer-saloon when
the lahors Of the day and evenings
exhibitions were ended.
The decease,tgo rillawas 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 crro-
neously stated. Mr.. Barnum be-
came acquainted with young Briggs
many years ago, and keen observer
Of human nature that he Is, he soon
saw that the boy possessed talent,
which would, if rightly applied,
bring him into Public notice. Mr..
Barnum FIRST employed Briggs as q
mermaid, but his nervous sanguine-
Gus temperament untitled him for
wearing q wig and goldfish skin,
and he was shortly after promoted
to the position of wild man. In
this lie achieved 80 success, and it
was not until Barnum put his great
travelling show ON the road in $50,
and gave Briggs the position of
gorilla, that he developed those &C.
centricties that have made him IA
mons. For two years no better
specimen of the gorilla tribe has
been seen On this continent
Though natural and convivial in
his tastes, he has set in his cage an
object Of wonder and admiration to
thousands, and submitted to being
stirred mp with long pole for the
benefit Of country clcrgymen, who
stood by explaining to their youth
full Sabbath school how fcarfully
and wonderfully we are made. No
of discomfort ever escaped
his lips, except at TerTe Haute, In
diana, last July, when he was heard
to remark he "be id if he could
stand it much longer wearing a hair
ovcrcoat in hot weather on salary
Of ten dollars a week." His salary
was at once elevated to twelve dol
lars and fifty cents a week, and he
was allowed ice in his den thercaf-
ter, AMI no better behaved speci-
men of his tribe was ever placed on
exhibition.
Mr.. BaInum, we are informed,
with Characteristic energy, has tel
20 Africa for other speci-
mems of rare wild beasts, to sup
by the places of those destroyed
~ the late conAagration. He may
elephants, lions, tigers, and
.ocliatoos, but lie can never fill the
place Of Gorilla Briggs. Not even
Dr. Livingstone, with all of his ex-
'eience in African jungles, can
'apture so fine q specimen, one who
would caper so nimply around his .
even by nine cage, and dance to
he lasciyious ticlklings of his keep
rs club with such patience. Cor
la. alden and may the hairy four-
egged Phoenix who arises from
our ashes possess your noble quail
ties Of mind and heart, and give
ntire satisfaction to n deluded pub
lc for the usual price of half
Iollar.-,S. Louis Democrat.
A few DAYS since n Gpe1v pareon