History Facts – In 1881, a South African railroad employee named James Wide purchased a baboon named Jack whom he trained to become his assistant.

Four years earlier, Wide had suffered a terrible accident in which he lost both his legs, and he was struggling to perform at work. He discovered Jack at a local market, where the baboon was leading an oxcart. Wide was so impressed with the animal’s abilities that he purchased the creature and deputized Jack as an employee at the Port Elizabeth Railway Station. Continue reading →