The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-03-30
CURIOUS oURANG-OUTANc.
An Intelligent Animal which In Q
Master of English.


An Intelligent Animal which II .
Master Of English.
Some time since there arrived at q
California port an orang-outang that
will doubtless prove to be the most dis
| tinguished 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 hereto
fore discovered. While the educated
animal was preparing to start for New
Orleans with his master, Mr.. Foster,
Joe's wardrobe WAS carefully packed
away, by himself into new and neat
appearing yeilowieather dresssuit case.
Joe shone respondent in a new dark
blue overcoat set off by brass buttons.
There is not the slightest doubt that
Joe would prove most valuable &C
quisitioh to any collection. He is very
docile, quite affectionate and so imi-
tative as to establish beyond question
the claim for him that he is the most
remarkable animal now in captivity. He
is only four years of age, as large as the
average child of seven, and seems to 50
thoroughly understand the English
language that he will do almost any
thing which is told him. Mr.. Foster
brought him new Waterbury watch.
This was handed to the animal without
a word or sign regarding it's use. Joe
eyed the article a 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
q rather stern manner. The animal
paused, then laid the watch on the floor.
In a few moments he picked it up and
put it to his mouth
Hold on, old fellow, it was not made
to be eaten"
!. Joe paused again and then passed the
watch over to the gentleman
Mr.. Foster turned the cap few times
partially winding it, then put it in his
vest pocket. This action he repeated q
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 lis blue sweater.
81 do not think there is anything rea-
sonably simple that 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 educa- |
ton too fast, because he Is so young. |
It's exactly the same as with child. |
He learns new tricks every day. He |
holds violin as easily and as natur- |
ally as any man, and draws the bow
back and forth, producing all manner
and kinds of sounds. tell you in some
respects his violin playing makes me
think Of Remenyi, when he is rendering
e Hungarian rhapsody.
''The animal was taken very i'll in |
Portland, Ore, and it was only by EN-
ploying a regular physician who treated
him precisely as you would q human
sick with incipient pneumonia that we
saved Joe. He took his medicine bet
-er than most children. He has since
gained IA pounds, but, oh! we have
10 be more careful as to his diet and
the temperature OF his quarters. There
are few gorillas or orang-outangs that
i've in captivity. This one eats rice
md milk, bananas, oatmeal and milk,
apples, a few nuts and raisins, and once
n awhile some cooked vegetables. He
wears a sweater and pajamas and this
S causing Joe to lose all his hair. He
las, as you see, only patches on his side,
nd his head and back are hairless. He
ilso wears a knit cap and sometimes,
when travelling, gloves. He is very tim
d, being in deathly fear of the small
monkeys, and dog is source of great
rouble to him. He utters little cooling
ries when in fear and when he has
one wrong comes and purses out his
over lip, whimpering like a child
When 1 say, Joe, kiss and I'll forgive
ou,' he puts up, his face and looks as
LEASED as child. You can form but
faint idea of how we become attached
0 such affectionate and clever animals
s Joe, after having them in charge
or a time. ] think Joe has The great
st future ahead of him imaginable.
should like to see him taken in hand !
y one versed in the art of steadily
eaching animals" concluded his owner.
Philadelphia Examiner.