T.B'Ville, Bartlesville (6/23/2009 5:09:22 AM)

They should have bought it at the sale if it meant so much.
Move on people.

Moses, Jenks (6/23/2009 8:27:06 AM)

Nice man, sometimes the little things in life mean a lot!

Graychin, Eucha (6/23/2009 9:22:15 AM)

Nice story. Happy ending.

Bville - you're an old grump!

Zoomin-in, Tea Town (6/23/2009 9:29:19 AM)

I thought Picher residents were moving out of that area.

justiceawaits, Claremore (6/23/2009 9:30:46 AM)

These people need to be encouraged to leave not stay.Pitcher and the surrounding 40 miles sit above abandoned mines that could cave in at any time.Throw in the lead poining and other contaminates causing god only knows what health complications and it should be obvious these people should have moved out long ago.
One could make an argument for the law of natural selection here, but we the taxpayers would surely foot the bill for this continuing money pit.
Perhaps they should be forcefully moved about 100 miles and given a smoke shop and casino for their trouble.

Few Clothes, Austin, TX (6/23/2009 9:41:37 AM)

If it was so loved, why did they sell it in the first palce? It was good of him to return it.

Few Clothes, Austin, TX (6/23/2009 9:42:54 AM)

OOPS! Place. Too little coffee and agent orange again.

BayouGirl, Owasso (6/23/2009 10:21:17 AM)

If I remember the story correctly, it was an AUCTION; prize goes to the highest bidder.

I think this shows that there are still people who have a good heart. Whether everyone leaves Picher or not, they can find a place for their beloved mascot to be remembered and adored by all residents (former or current).

It may seem trite to some of you, but put yourself in the shoes of these people. Your hometown is being wiped away, erased from the map! That is sad; why can't they be sentimental about a symbol of their town, a concrete gorilla?

Arbythree, Tulsa (6/23/2009 10:25:01 AM)

A concrete Gorilla? Sounds like the Picher folks have found a way to CEMENT the deal and pay the high bidder a few extra bananas and are not monkeying around this time.

gorillasooner, (6/23/2009 10:49:38 AM)

Wow, there are a few jerks on here. As a former resident of the city of Picher (note there is no "T") and graduate of the H.S. it was very sad to hear that the gorilla was going to be nowhere near home. I was at least hopeful when the buyout was over that there would be a "Picher Museum" built somewhere in Ottawa county, likely Miami and just assumed that the Gorilla would be put there to greet everyone as they enter like it greeted those who entered Picher-Cardin H.S. Like most Picher H.S. alumni, it was likely assumed that another alumni was going to buy it and keep in close to home, no one would assume that people from some other state would come to buy the 1 monument that meant so much to the people there and people likely didn't bid too high against him because they assumed the same as I did (the whole museum thing) and that it would be donated there. I think it is very admirable of the gentleman from Missouri to bring the gorilla back and sell it to an alumni. Like he and everyone else in the are has seen about Picher, is that it is a very tight knit community. If some of you seemingly heartless people who are so quick to comment on such an unfortunate situation (T.B'Ville) would like to see what a tight knit community looks like, just go to the Bonfire mentioned in the article and you can see the bond of the people there and the sadness for what they are losing.

Picher_Resident, Picher, OK (6/23/2009 12:33:32 PM)

Like you, GorillaSooner, we are also graduates of good ole PHS. If I have my facts straight, we have Quapaw and Commerce schools to thank for the selling off of our mascot. They, ultimately, had the last say on what goes to the museum in Baxter Springs, KS and what was to be sold. I feel it very unfortunate that these two rival schools would be in such a hurry to rid Picher of it's school mascot which does mean so much to the community. Yet, these two schools stand to gain monetarily from the sell of everything at that auction. Besides, since when did we care what other people think or say about the goings on in our town! These people have to earthly idea what it is like to sit back and watch your home town wither down to absolutely nothing! That has seemingly always been a problem with a lot of folks. They just don't understand the closeness of a community such as what Picher has. I think alot of towns have always been jealous of the closeness of our town. I say, screw them!

BettyRubble, (6/23/2009 1:09:10 PM)

Hey, gorillasooner - I clicked on the story because I thought it might pertain to my old alma mater in Pittsburg, Kansas. Great to see "ol Gus" on your pic :-)

cl, (6/23/2009 2:47:35 PM)

Thank you Mr. Marlin you are a good man!

missy,,,m, no thanks (6/23/2009 4:56:52 PM)

I guess someone went out on a limb to get this back for them.....ah I suppose congrads on the monkey bussiness.

ajohnb, Jenks (6/23/2009 5:27:46 PM)

Hope they put it back on solid ground so that it does not disappear in a sinkhole.

owen, Tulsa (6/23/2009 6:19:00 PM)

TB'ville--if you grew up in a small town, you would better understand Picher residents. You treasure the memories and the people forever, you can't just "get over it". It's a big part of your life. I grew up in a small town that is now at the bottom of Keystone Lake. When we get together and talk about our childhood, we can't go back to see all our old haunts. Life goes on but it's still nice to have memories.

ann onymous, (6/23/2009 6:53:12 PM)

Picher_Resident...It was my understanding that what went to the museum in Baxter was the decision of the Picher School Board. Maybe you need to check your facts. I too am a PHS grad, but now live in one of those towns you mentioned. Most of the people I talk to around town feel nothing but sadness and compassion for what Picher people are going through.

cshenry, Miami (6/23/2009 7:43:17 PM)

First of all Picher has no T in it for you idiots that aren't aware of that. Second of all put yourself in our place, you can always go home correct. Well our home will no longer be in Picher so if you would like to feel the spirit of the Picher and Cardin GORILLAS show up at the bonfire I am sure you that you will never experince anything as you will this evening. Respectfully, Chris Henry member of the class of 1989.

CHOCTAWROB, Haywood (6/24/2009 5:21:49 AM)

This 'Golden Tiger' played against that Gorilla in 1984 football. A great team and great school. Oklahoma state football champions are a warrior society. The 'Gorilla' is in this society. Therefore this Choctaw warrior will always recognize your colors. And you can eat at my table anytime. God Bless the Gorilla's. Talihina c/o'86.

52favoriteteacher, Washburn--used to be Broken Arrow (6/24/2009 6:16:23 AM)

Picher--almost gone

Years of health problems

Many without funds to move

Uncle Sam could have moved entire town 75 years

ago...

T.B'Ville, Bartlesville (6/26/2009 9:38:54 PM)

The only way I would go to the Bonfire is if it was Picher that was burning down.
I know exactly what a small town is like. I lived in one for over 30 years unfortunately.