The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1897-03-27
CURIOUS ORAGN -OUTANG
MAY PROVE THE MOST WONDER
Full ANIMAL IN THE WORLD.
He Is Only Four Years of AEe-Wiu
Take Medicine willingly and
Perform Many Fents.

Some time since there arrived at Cal
ifornia port an orang-outang that will
doubtless prove to be the most distln-
guished animal wonder in the world.
Somehow or other Joe comes as near
being that missing link for which OAR
win sighed IN vain as anything heretofore
discovered. A member Of The PhiladeI-
phia Inquirer stan had the extreme pleas
ure OF making the acquaintance of Joe
while the educated animal was preparing
to start for New Orleans with his mas
ter, Mr.. Foster. Joe's wardrobe was
carefully packed away by himself into a
new and neat appearing yellow leather
dress suit case. Joe shone Respondent
In a new dark blue overcoat set off by
brass buttons. 1t is the intention to keep
Joe down south until the baImy spring.
time begins to put in an appearance and
then to bring him to Philadelphia.
There is not the slightest doubt that
Joe would prove a most valuable acuuisi-
ton to any collection. He is very docile,
quite affectionate and so initiative as to
establish beyond question the claim for
MIN that he is the most remarkable ami
NAL now in captivity. He Is only four
years of age, as large as the average
child Of seven, and seems to so thorough
ly understand the English language that
he will do almost anything which is told
him. While the Inquirer man was paying
his respects to Joe Mr.. Foster brought
him new Waterbury watch. This was
handed to the animal without word or
sign regarding its use. Joe eyed the ar
ticle moment and then started in to
bang it on the arm Of his chair.
Stop, Joe, that is not intended to be
used as a hammer" said Mr.. Foster in
rather stern manner. The animal paus-
ed, then laid the watch on the floor. In a
few moments he picked 1t up and put it
to his mouth.
Hold on, old fellow, 1t was not made
to be eaten"
Joe paused again and then passed the
watch over to the gentleman.
Mr.. Foster turned the cap a few times
partially winding 1t, then put 1t in his
vest pocket. This action he repeated
few times and then handed the time piece
to Joe. The latter gravely twisted the
cap around and then dropped the watch
In the pocket of his blue sweater.
Learns New Tricks.
Il do not think there is anything reas-
onably simple that a human being does
that Joe cannot at once pick up" said
Mr.. Foster, patting Joe on his bald pate.
I'VE are afraid to push his education
too fast, because he is so young. It's ex-
actly the same as with a child. He
learns new tricks every day. He holds a
violin as easily and as naturally as any
man, and draws the bow back and forth,
producing all manner and kinds of
sounds. I tell you in some respects mis-
violin playing makes me think of Rem
enyt, when he is rendering a Hungarian
rhapsody.
THE animal was taken very i'll in Port
land, Or, and 1t was only by employing
a regular physician who treated him pre-
cisely as you would a human sick with
inciptent pneumonia that we saved joe
He took his medicine better than most
children. He has since gained IA pounds,
but, oh, we have to be more than careful
as to his diet and the temperature OF his
quarters. There are few gorlllas or
orang-outangs that live in captivity. This
one eats rice and milk, bananas, oat
meal and milk, apples a few nuts and
raisins and once in a while some cooked
vegetables. He wears sweater and
pajamas and this is causing Joe to lose
all his hair He has, as you see only
patches on his sides, and his head and
back are hairless. He also wears knit
cap and sometimes, when travelling,
gloves. He is very timid being in death
ly fear of the small monkeys, and a dog
is a source of great trouble to him. He
utters little cooling cries when in fear and
when he has done wrong comes and pur-
ses out his lower lip, whimpering like
child. When say Joe. kiss and III for
give you,' he puts up his face and looks
as pleased as a child. You can form but
a faint idea of how we become attached
to such affectionate and clever animals
as Joe, after having them in charge for
time. I think Joe has the greatest future |
ahead Of him imaginable. I should ike |
to see him taken in hand by one versed |
in the art of steadily teaching animals"
concluded his owner.