The railway signalman who was a baboon named Jack and earned beer for pay.
In short: Discover the story of Jack, a baboon who became a railway signalman in the late 19th century. After his owner, James Wide, suffered a life-altering accident, this unlikely assistant stepped in to help manage the tracks, proving that sometimes the most reliable workers are not human.
In 1877, James Wide, a guard for the Cape Government Railways, lost both of his legs in a severe accident. Before this incident, Wide was known as Jumper for his habit of leaping onto moving trains.
Following his injury, Wide acquired a baboon named Jack. Jack became famous for his ability to operate railway signals, assisting Wide in his duties and earning payment in the form of beer.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Working for Figurative Peanuts and Literal Beer- the Fascinating Story of Jack the Signal”man”
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