The Pioche weekly record. [volume] (Pioche, Nev.) 1877-1900, 1896-06-11
GRABBED BY A GORILLA.
An American Travellers Thrilling Expert
ence on the East Coast of Africa.

An American Travellers Thrilling Expert.
ence on the East Coast of Africa.
A Cincinnatian who has lately return
ed from tour of east and South Africa
told reporter of thrilling encounter
he had with gorilla while in that far
off country. Said he:
"The evening train had arrived at Lou
renco Marques, Delagoa Bay, ON sched-
ule time. But what night it was! The
rain came down as if the very heavens
were falling, the wind blew terrific
gale, and the darkness which overspread
the whole scene was such as I had never
witnessed before. 1t was, however, q
fitting night to the experience which fol-
lowed. Stepping from what the Neither
lands Railway company term first class
carriage, I accosted heavy set indi-
vidual ON the platform. Can you tell
me, sir, which is the best hotel of this
placer l asked.
"'Well, stranger, he remarked, that
is hardly fair question to ask me, as
own both the hotels in this place..
II turned over my grip to him and
followed crowd of Africans through
that tropical storm. Dinner was served
at the International hotel, but my per-
manent quarters were to be at the Cen
trail, both Of these being owned by Jim
Carpenter, the person met at the sta
ton. After dinner an employee of the
hotel asked me if was ready to go to
the Central. l replied in the affirmative
He went to the door, and above the din
of wind and rain could be heard his
voice yelling 'Sixpencep
my belief was that this individual
was singing out to some Of the natives
that sixpence job was waiting for any
of them who would take me to the Cen
trail hotel, but it proved to be the pecul.
lar name of an east African negro.
'Sixpence' came with zap, boas II
seemed as he came that section of that
black night was moving bodily toward
me. The instruction was to keep close
to 'Sixpenoe.'
"The route was through a large gar
den. We had hardly entered the garden
Enclosure when a terrific scream wa.
heard, and at the same time l wa
struck on the head. In an instant l haC
my revolver out and fired at my un
known assailant. My enemy grapplet
with me, but before losing my hold o
the revolver managed to fire two NOR
shots But it was an uneven fight. l re
| ceived another blow ON the head, rem
| dering me unconscious. When l regaineC
consciousness, which was three day
later. l learned that my firing of tin
revcsser had attracted the attention o
an American who was known at Della
goa Bay as Texas Wilson He told m
/ that he ran out Of his house with hi
gun and lantern, and had hardly gon
| 200 yards when he came across q hug
| gorilla carrying me ON his back. TIL
gorilla scowled at him, but he was dc
termined to try to rescue me from tina
brute. After taking careful aim h
managed to shoot the animal withou
hitting me, and killed him. Then h
brought me to the hotel, where l aftcl
ward was informed that big gorill
had been sent to Jim Carpenter abou
three days previous He had been tie
to tree in the garden, but somehow
must have broken his chain and wa
waiting for the first conner. II was Cal
penter's intention to send the gorilla
the Manchester geological gardens as
present.
This was my first visit in December
1894, to the sleepy, dirty and sickl
town of Delagoa Bay, ON the east Goa!
of Africa. n-Cincinnati Enquirer.