Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1908-11-07
MONKEY CAUSES
OWNER TROUBLE
MEMBER OF SIMIAN FAMILY
ESCAPES CONFINEMENT
GIVES MASTER AND BIG CROWD
HOT CHASE
Finally Captured and Returned to
Shop, When Proprietor Found
Mikes Cage Mate Had
Escaped Also

Mike escaped yesterday morning and
then began a reign of excitement that
lasted for half an hour. Mike is a
big monkey and his place of abode is
large cage in the California bird
store, 1872 South Main street.
James Walsh, proprietor of the place,
was in the yard in the rear of the
store, feeding several dogs. His clerk,
mere boy, was left in the store to
sweep. Suddenly there was a squawk-
ing of the feathery tribe, and Mike
was seen making a hasty exit from his
place of confinement-the door Of the
cage having become unfastened.
When the astonished proprietor en-
tered the store he observed what had
happened. He hurried to the front
door and saw his erstwhile employee
disappearing around the corner, while
Mike was jabbering to himself and
rolling about on the sidewalk.
The tricky animal did not intend to
have it's term of liberty curtailed, and
when Walsh appeared he disappeared
over the top of a. one-story building by
climbing a water pipe.
The passersby were attracted by the
chase after the elusive monkey, and
soon there were several hundred peo-
pie enjoying the situation and Offering
all manner of advice.
Walsh was not enjoying it in the
least. And when some one in the
crowd yelled Put some salt on it's
tail and you can catch it." he turned
and muttered things under his breath
that probably were more forcible than
elegant.
A boy secured a ladder and was soon
on the roof with the Siminan speci-
men, The animal fled at the approach
of the lad and climbed to an adjoin-
ing building. 1t was closely pressed
there and scrambled down another pipe,
reached the sidewalk, then turned and
ran along Main street to the corner
and east on Washington street.
The crowd, eager to see the fun, fol-
lowed, laughing and giving their views
as to the best systems for catching
monkeys.
Every one in the crowd was smiling,
with one exception-that was Walsh;
he was peeved and did not care who
knew it.
Suddenly the animal spied tall tree
and in an instant was among the
branches. A youthful volunteer climbed
the tree and the monkey mounted
higher. The lad relentlessly pursued
Mike. Finally, when Mike could mount
no higher, he was dislodged from his
perch and went tumbling down to the
street, the numerous limbs breaking
the force Of his fall.
No sooner than the animal struck
the pavement before it was up and
away, running down to Los Angeles
street, where it disappeared under a
house. A boy expressed his desire to
drag Mike from his hiding place. He
crawled under the house, and, after
hearing the sounds of struggle, the
crowd was rewarded by seeing Mike
come rolling out into the hands of
Walsh.
Another surprise awaited the bird
man. When he returned to the store
everything was in disordered condi-
ton. Several bird cages were over
turned and feathers and shrill squeaks
filled the air. A monkey, confined with
Mike, had escaped from the cage,
which, in the excitement, had not been
closed. She was sitting on a table en-
gagged in eating a quantity of fruit
which Walsh had purchased for his
dinner.
The proprietor soon captured Mikes
cagemate, and when both animals
were securely confined Walsh heaved
a sigh of relief and began to arrange
the disordered cages.