A Baboon Was Employed by a South African Railway in the 1880s

You might assume that railway signalmen have always been human, but a chacma baboon named Jack once proved that assumption wrong. In the 1880s, this remarkable primate served as an official railway employee in South Africa, working alongside his disabled human colleague, James Wide. While it sounds like a tall tale, railway records confirm that Jack managed signal levers and train schedules with exceptional precision for nine years, earning both a salary and the respect of railway officials.

The Unlikely Partnership of James Wide and Jack

Two unlikely partners forged one of history's most remarkable workplace bonds in 1880s South Africa.

James Wide, a railway signalman nicknamed "Jumper," had lost both legs in a tragic accident, making his daily commute and work duties extremely challenging. Jack was eventually trusted to work without supervision and earned twenty cents per day for his railway duties.

His life changed when he spotted a remarkable chacma baboon leading an oxcart at a local market.

Recognizing the potential for unconventional teamwork, Wide purchased the baboon, named Jack, as his assistant.

What began as a simple arrangement – Jack pushing Wide's wheelchair – evolved into an extraordinary display of animal intelligence. The local community was amazed as Jack wore uniforms designed specifically for his role as a signalman.

The baboon quickly learned to help Wide with his commute and, more impressively, began to understand the complex patterns of train signals and track operations, setting the stage for an unprecedented partnership.

From Pet to Professional: Jack's Training Journey

When James Wide first brought Jack to the railway station, the intelligent baboon's journey from pet to professional railway worker began through a methodical training process.

Jack's training methods started with observing and imitating railway workers, particularly the signalmen operating levers. After losing both his legs, Wide found Jack's assistance invaluable for his daily work duties. His skill acquisition progressed from basic tasks like pushing Wide's wheelchair and performing household chores to mastering complex railway operations. He earned twenty cents daily as compensation for his dedicated work.

Jack learned to recognize train whistle patterns, operate the station switchboard, and throw switches for track changes. He became proficient in alerting the station of approaching trains and exchanging keys with conductors.

His remarkable abilities caught the attention of railway authorities, who put him through a formal evaluation. After demonstrating flawless signal changes and proving he could work independently, Jack earned his official employment number.

Daily Duties of a Baboon Railway Worker

As a formally employed railway worker, Jack performed a remarkable array of daily duties that extended far beyond basic signal operations. You'd find him pulling levers to change signals, responding to train whistles, and ensuring trains were on the correct tracks. He operated the station switchboard with perfect accuracy throughout his nine-year career. Having been purchased in 1881, Jack was initially trained by James Wide to assist with railway duties.

Jack's responsibilities weren't limited to signal operations. He'd push his employer James Wide's wheelchair, transport him on a trolley, and hold up keys for locomotive drivers. The baboon earned a salary of twenty cents daily for his dedicated service.

His duties also included essential household chores – sweeping the kitchen floor, removing rubbish, and helping with Wide's bird stuffing work. He even served as a watchman for Wide's cottage.

Jack's ability to recognize different whistle patterns and maintain efficiency in all tasks made him an invaluable employee.

Testing and Official Employment Status

After a concerned passenger reported a baboon operating railway signals, authorities launched an urgent investigation into Jack's unconventional employment at Uitenhage station.

The railway inspector conducted a rigorous competency assessment, testing Jack's ability to respond to complex whistle patterns and operate signal levers correctly. The safety requirements were especially strict since signalmen's roles were critical to preventing railway accidents. Jack assisted James Wide by bringing signal keys to conductors.

To everyone's amazement, Jack exceeded all employment criteria and outperformed some human signalers.

Here's what followed his successful test:

1. Received an official employment number from Cape Government Railway
2. Earned a daily salary of 20 cents plus half a bottle of beer weekly
3. Worked flawlessly for nine years until 1890
4. Never made a single mistake during his entire career

Jack's remarkable performance not only saved his position but also secured his handler James Wide's job, making him the railway's most unusual employee.

Public Response to the Railway's Unusual Employee

Despite initial shock and complaints from passengers, Jack the baboon's presence at Uitenhage station quickly transformed from a public safety concern into a celebrated local attraction.

The public perception shifted dramatically as word spread about the unusual railway employee, drawing curious visitors from far and wide to witness his skilled operation of the signals. Jack's remarkable performance earned him twenty cents daily as official compensation from the railway.

Jack's employment sparked intense debates about animal rights and intelligence. Working with signalman James Wide, Jack demonstrated his capabilities by pushing Wide's wheelchair and assisting with daily tasks.

While some critics viewed his work as exploitation, others saw it as evidence of remarkable primate capabilities.

The railway community gradually embraced him as a capable colleague, and local residents took pride in their unique worker.

What began as skepticism and disbelief evolved into acceptance and admiration, making Jack's story a cherished piece of local folklore that captured international attention.

Jack's Lasting Impact on Railway History

Jack's remarkable tenure at the Uitenhage station left an indelible mark on railway history that extends far beyond his nine years of service.

His flawless performance demonstrated exceptional animal intelligence and workplace adaptation, proving that unconventional solutions could solve complex challenges. As assistant to James Wide's wheelchair, Jack helped overcome significant mobility challenges that could have otherwise ended the signalman's career.

You'll find Jack's lasting contributions showcased in these significant ways: