Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-11-30
A BRITISH CoLUMBIA GORILLA.
Description of strange Creature Cap
tursd Near Yale.

Description of a strange Creature Cap
tured Near Yale.
In the immediate vicinity of No. 4 tun-
mel, situated some twenty miles above
this village, writes Yale, British Colum-
bia, correspondent Of the British Coloaist,
are bluffs Of rock which have hitherto
been unsurmountable, but on Monday
morning last were successfully scaled by
Mr.. Ondemonk's employees on the regular
train from Lytton, assisted by Mr.. Coster-
ton, the British Columbia Express Com.
pany's messenger, and number OF gen.
tlemen from LyttOn and points east OF
that place, who, after considerable trouble
and perilous climbing. succeeded in cap
turing acreature which may tTuthfully be
called half man and half beast. "Jack0,"
as the creature has been called by
It's capturers, is something Of the gorilla
type, standing about 4 feet inches IN
height, and weighing 127 pounds. he has
long, black, strong hair, and resembles
human being. with one exception, his en-
tire body, excepting his hands or paws
and feet, are covered with glossy hair
about one inch long. His forearm is much
longer than mans forearm, and he pos
sesses extraordinary strength, as he Will
take hold of stick and break 1t by
u
living could break in the same way.
Since his capture he is very reticent, only
occasionally uttering noise which Is half
bark and half grOwl. He is, however, be-
coming daily more attached to his keeper.
His faVOrite food so far is berries, and
he drinks fresh milk with evident relish.
By advice of DR.. Harrington raw meats
have been withheld from Jacko, as the
doctor thinks it would have tendency to
mob IA i'm ~ rv4sHr
was as follows: Ned Austin, the engineer,
on coming in sight Of the bluff at the
eastern end Of the No. tunnel, saw what
he supposed to be man lying asleep in
close proximity to the track, ana as quick
as thought he blew the signal to apply
the brakes. The brakes were instantly
applied, and in few seconds the train
was brought to a standstill. At this
moment the supposed man sprang up,
and, uttering sharp, quick bark, began
to climb the steep bluff. Conductor K. j.
Craig and Express Messenger COnstertOn,
followed by baggagemen and brakemen,
jumped from the train. and, knowing they
were some twenty minutes ahead Of time,
Immediately gave chase. After five min
utes of perilOus climbing, the then sup
posed demented Indian was c0rraled on
projecting shelf or rock, where he could
neither ascend nor descend. The query
was quickly decided by Mr.. Craig, who
cTawled on his hands and knees until he
was about forty feet above the creature.
Taking a small piece of loose rock he let
it fall, and il had the desired effect Of
rendering poor JackO incapable of resist
ance for a time, at least. The bell rope
was then brought UP, and JackO was now
lowered to terra tirma. After firmly bind
ing him and placing him in the baggage
car, ''Of brakes" was sounded, ana the
train started for Yale. At the station a
large crowd who had heard of the capture
by telephone from SpuZZum Flat were as
sembled, each one anxious to have the
first look at the mOnstrOsIty, but they
were disappointed, as JackO had been
taken OIL at the machine shops and placed
in charge of his present keeper.
The question naturally arises. how came
the creature where it was first seen by
Mr.. Austin? From bruises about its
head and body, and apparent soreness |
since its capture, il is supposed that
JackO yentured too near the bluff. slip
ped, fell, and lay where found until the
sound OF the rushing train aroused him. |
Mr.. Thomas White and Mr.. GOuin, Z. E.,
as well as Mr.. Major, who kept a small I
store about half a mile west of the tunnel !
during the past two years, have mention !
ed having seen a curious creature at |
different points between camps thirteen |
and seventeen, but no attention was paid |
to their remarks, as people came to the |
conclusion that they had either seen a |
bear or stray Indian dog. Who can !
the mystery that surrounds !
JackO? Does he belong to a species /
hitherto unknown in this country, or is he |
really what the trainmen first thought he
was, a crazy Indian.