Chat
|
Daily Search
|
My GenForum
|
Community Standards
|
Terms of Service
|
|
|
1872-12-30 Chicago Tribune (IL)
Barnum's Gorilla -- A Touching Tribute to His Memory -- From One Who Knew Him Well.
From the St. Louis Democrat. Edition: Chicago Tribune
It is seldom that we are called upon to note a 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 perished in the flames of the Museum recently consumed. The news of his untimely and frightful end will cause a feeling of heartfelt agony to thrill the bosoms of his many friends throughout the country, who witnessed his playful antics in his cage wherever Barnum went on his last summer's tour, or enjoyed his society at a beer-saloon when the labors of the day and evening's exhibitions were ended. The deceased gorilla was a 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 erroneously 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, but his nervous sanguineous temperament unfitted him for wearing a wig and a cod-fish skin, and he was shortly after promoted to the position of wild man. In this he achieved no success, and it was not until Barnum put his great travelling show on the road in 1870, and gave Briggs the position of gorilla, that he developed those eccentricities that have made him famous. 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 sat in his cage an object of wonder and admiration to thousands, and submitted to being stirred up with a long pole for the benefit of country clergymen, who stood by explaining to their youthful Sabbath school scholars how fearfully and wonderfully we are made. No murmur of discontent ever escaped his lips, except at Terre Haute, Ind., last July, when he was heard to remark that he'd "be d-d if he could stand it much longer wearing a hair overcoat in not weather on a salary of $10 a week." His salary was at once elevated to $12.50 a week, and he was allowed ice in his den thereafter, and no better-behaved specimen of his tribe was ever placed on exhibition. Mr. 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. Livingstone, with all his experience 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 lascivious ticklings of his keeper's club with such patience. Gorilla, adieu! and may the hairy four-legged Phoenix who arises from your ashes possess your noble qualities of mind and heart, and give entire satisfaction to a deluded public for the usual price of half a dollar.
No Dancing Allowed.
Record Number: 18721230ob001
Notify Administrator about this message?
Followups:No followups yet |
| http://genforum.genealogy.com/briggs/messages/4249.html | ||
 |
Link to GenForum Add Forum |
|