Pavian railroad worker

James Wyde, a security guard and signalman on the Cape Town State Railway, nicknamed the Jumper, was known for jumping between wagons, but was allegedly hit by a train in 1880 and lost both legs. Looking for ways to keep his job, Wyde purchased a baboon bear from the local market who he thought was clever. Soon, the baboon, whom Wyde named Jack, learned many skills: bringing water to the owner, cleaning the room, pushing the wheelchair, and later moving arrows to change the movement of trains and driving a railway semaphore. At first, Jack carried out these actions on Wides command and under his supervision, but after a while he was able to carry them out completely on his own. In 1881, the railroad administration opened an official investigation after passengers reported that a monkey was driving a railway semaphore at the Uitenhach station near Port Elizabeth. A special commission tested Jacks competence in the performance of his duties and the baboon was officially recruited, where he never made a mistake in 9 years. Jack died of tuberculosis in 1890.

Previously in Old Photos: The Girl and the Crocodiles, Eugene Jeep, and World War II.