Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-12-19
Jacob DrIeSDacII.

Sixty odd years ago, says The Schohare Re-
publican, bright little boy came from the Vat
lev of the Mohawk to live with his unce 10 the
town of Schoharc. Ills name was Jacob Dries
BACH His marked traits at that youthful age
were those Of marked daring-no thought OF
fear, in fact, and an uncomfortable love Tor the
lower race CT animals. From his uucle's farm
he graduated as au apprentice TO tho shoemak.
ING business 10 this village. Many arc the ieaS
of daring related OF him 10 his younger days
Ooc as an instance: lie would place himself on
position on stump of tree on tho West Moun,
tain, near the ledge, from that jump to tall
Young sapliug, catching it at or near the top,
and from the bending tree swinging himself
down ,othe valley below. At any time had
the branch Snapped young Dnesbach would
have met with certain death, as the distance
from the ledge to the valley below is som"
thirty eight feet. : 49,
Driesbsc, learned his trade Of Chiisiao Key
ser, father in law Of ex Sheriff Ferris ilG iounu
nothing in the making and mcndbg OF shoes to
conform to lis restless, daring spirit, ana III:
fondnoss for adventure. lie left Schoharlc'
vcnt to New York end obtained an appoint
mcnt on the polio, force Of that city. While
oc,iop as LoIiccman he daily visited mena
oer;o there. and his old foudncss for animals re-
V;vad. This was noticed by the managers, and
| Dficsbach was induced to rcsgu his position en-
the nolic, force and become an obscure employ
of thc menaperie. lie soon showed such tact,
Talent ard darng-such perfect absence OF oil
| re.r-,hat he was at 0ncc promoted anu al:cr
ward bfolmo renowned throughout the world
as the great lion tanner.
| lie undoubtedly vas. No one disputes the
tile Of champi3usLip Of Herr Dricsbacb; lie
v;s,cd Enrope aod received the plaudits Of
crnwoed heads 10 all the moosrcIical centres OF
fashion and folly. lie icducad his caravan lat
that time travclIing) to come to Schohare. lhc
management laughed at the idea OF coming to
conntrv village with such an expensive es
tahIishment But they acquesccd. Inc re
enIt was an immense throng and money 10 tho
Ooc more Instance We will relate 10 the HE o
this Schoharie shoemaker. Such instances "ef'
common in his life, although not OF 30 serlous'
nature Dfiesbach possessed taVorlte leopard
He was tame, gentle and doclIc Us a cn''u
/ Dtiesbach carried him in bis arms, Oh his shoul
dcrs, and otten laid doWo with nun aou s,.n
topetber, One day Dflesbach lett the door o
tIe tTe zoe omen and laid himself down under tn
sbsde Of tree and soop fell asleep. AS 5000
Tho leonard perceived that his keeper was wrap
ned in The arms Of Mr. or Mrs. Morpheus, h
snranu from the cage and grasped Drlesbsch
tbo lbroat, A death struggle cusued, Dflesbsc
comiug off the victor 10 the death of his fav0rl'
net, And tbs too, without the uso Ct an
imn,emept, Driesbach, With bis own hana'
4 choking the leopard to death. ,,n.,
A dispatch from Ohio City tells us 'ha' a p5s; Gh;
bach, at the ago Of seventy, died 90 n'a oh, ~
fsTm' Guu' on Wednesday of last week, ''p3or' ou
conten,cd" His has been an cVen''u '''"sA =: ~ y
i is well that he died e'nentsd ,oao,;ys% tvsa slvs II
ncs' hss noLiug p to do with affairs of AGO te' "0rl'