11/30/2025
1880, Uitenhage Station, South Africa. The passengers were bewildered: a baboon was manoeuvring the signal box levers!
Stepping onto the platform, passengers paused, their eyes widening in disbelief and curiosity. They were witnessing Jack, a Chacma baboon, professionally employed by the railway and believed to be the only primate in this role, diligently carrying out his duties. Some would double-take, captivated by the sight of Jack's nimble hands expertly maneuvering the signal levers, and wonder if they had entered a realm where the extraordinary had become ordinary.
The Guard Without Legs
The story begins with a tragedy turned into a triumph of adaptation. James "Jumper" Wide was a railway guard known for jumping between moving railcars—until one slip in 1877 cost him both his legs. Devastated but determined not to beg, Wide carved himself a pair of wooden pegs and begged the railway authority for a job he could do while seated. They gave him the signal box at Uitenhage, near Port Elizabeth.
But the work was physically demanding. Operating the heavy levers and managing the coal trolley was a struggle for a man on pegs. Wide needed a helper, but he couldn't afford a human assistant.
One day at a local market, Wide saw a baboon driving an ox-wagon for a local farmer. Marvelling at the animal's intelligence, Wide pleaded to buy him. He named him Jack.
The Apprentice
What started as a relationship between a pet and an owner quickly evolved into a professional partnership. Jack didn't just push Wide’s wheelchair; he began to watch the trains.
Wide used a system of whistle blasts to signify which tracks needed adjustment: one blast for the Coal Line, two for the Station, three for the Loop. Initially, Jack, displaying a keen sense of observation, would curiously watch as Wide operated the levers after each whistle. Over time, Wide noticed Jack’s interest and decided to engage him in training sessions. He would carefully demonstrate the lever movements again and again, guiding Jack’s hand to the right lever while making the appropriate whistle sounds. Remarkably, within a few short weeks, Jack began to master the system, showcasing his innate intelligence and quick learning ability. As Jack became more confident, Wide tested him by allowing Jack to pull the levers under supervision. The breakthrough moment came one day when a driver's whistle echoed through the air. Without prompting, Jack moved to the correct lever and executed the maneuver flawlessly. Soon, the baboon required no cues from Wide and responded directly to the train drivers’ whistles, pulling the corresponding levers and securing the tracks in place.
The operation ran smoothly for years until a prominent lady on a passing train saw a baboon manning the switches and, terrified, reported it to the railway authorities. They were horrified. A delegation was sent to Uitenhage to fire Wide and remove the animal.
Wide, desperate to save his livelihood and his friend, made a bold proposition: "Test him."
The System Manager agreed. A train approached, and the driver was instructed to blow his whistle for a specific track change. Jack didn't flinch. He looked at the train, looked at his master, and then hauled the heavy lever, locking it securely. He then turned to the approaching train and saluted. The delegation was stunned. Jack passed every test with 100% accuracy.
The Official Hire
In a move that defies modern bureaucracy, the Cape Government Railways decided not to fire the pair but to hire the baboon. Jack was given an official employment number. His salary was set at twenty cents a day and a weekly half-bottle of beer (which he reportedly enjoyed on weekends). The public reaction was a mix of amusement and disbelief. Local newspapers ran headlines on the extraordinary hire, with one notable paper exclaiming, 'A baboon with a job! Who would believe it?' An observer, Mr. Edward James, remarked to a reporter, 'We've seen cats land on all fours, but who'd have thought a baboon could start working for the government?' Townspeople flocked to the station to witness Jack in action, his fame spreading far and wide. The railway staff, initially skeptical, soon appreciated Jack's remarkable abilities, while passengers often marveled, assuring their fellow travelers of such a sight, making Jack something of a local legend.
For nine years, from 1881 to 1890, Jack served as the signalman. In that entire decade, operating through scorching heat and busy schedules, he never made a single mistake.
Jack passed away from tuberculosis in 1890, leaving Jumper Wide heartbroken. His skull remains in the Albany Museum in Grahamstown as a testament to his life.
Jack's story challenges the boundaries between 'man' and 'beast.' He wasn't just performing tricks but served with responsibility and precision. In their shared diligence and mastery, both Jack, an animal, and Wide, a disabled man, earned dignity in their partnership. The sight of this unique duo working seamlessly together reached beyond the confines of their station, shifting perspectives on ability. People who witnessed their coordination found inspiration in the profound collaboration—seeing an unexpected harmony in which machine, man, and animal worked together, shattering preconceived notions. Their story became a beacon of hope, showcasing equality and defying limitations, teaching those who watched that true capacity and worth can emerge from even the most unlikely partnerships.
Jack proves that competence, loyalty, and intelligence can come from the most unexpected sources—a lesson as relevant today as it was then.
We Are Human Angels
Authors
Awakening the Human Spirit
We are the authors of 'We Are Human Angels,' the book that has spread a new vision of the human experience and has been spontaneously translated into 14 languages by readers.
We hope our writing sparks something in you!
Images: Wikimedia Commons and 2OceansVive
