New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1911-07-03
APES START REBELLION
Wreck Own Furniture and At.
tack Bronx Park Keepers.
MAKE THE FEATHERS FLY
Mimi and Mike, Orang- Outangs,
Take Possession Of Gage Gel
lar-Subdued After Fight.

Mimi and Mike. two orang outangs In the
Geological Gardens in Bronx Park. de
clared their Independence yesterday after
noon a short time before the apes were 10
give their daily outdoor exhibition, and II
took half dozen keepers TO suodue them.
Most OF the keepers had scratches ana
bruises when the trouble was over, for the
apes hurled chairs. stools and other furni-
ture with great precision during their COM
bat with the me-
There is a trap door in the bottom OF the
cage where Mimi. Mike. Badly and Susie
perform each day II leads 10 a cellar IN
which was kept all the paraphernalia used
In the exhibitions. including a bedstead. A
feather mattress two or three stools. half
a dozen chairs and numerous other things.
There was also baby carriage, which was
a source of great amusement 10 the spec
tators. for Babe. a small chimpanzee. was
wheeled about in II.
Day after day Mike and Mimi have
watched the keepers take out the furnish
ings and have seen them unlatching the
trap door bur no one thought the two apes
would ever be able to open the door. But
yesterday afternoon they did open II, and
then both animals slid down into the cell
lar.
crash crash Bang Bang
Engelholm. the keeper OF the monkey
house. ran about the place trying 70 find
out what had happened He thought some
Of the apes had escaped and were in a night
with spectators Finding that he was mis-
taken. he looked into the big outdoor exhi-
bition cage. The trap door was open and
through the opening in the floor came
clouds Of feathers and several varieties or
noise
The keeper ran for assistance other
keepers telephoned for DR.. Dtmars. cura-
tor Of the gardens. who came on the run
from the reptile house The feathers were
still pouring up through the floor and float
ing about on the puffs Of wind. The crashes
were coming louder than ever Engefholm
the curator and four others stood over the
trap doo- for a minute
Bang. Bang, And a chair leg came sail
ing M through the opening Then one OF
the baby carriage wheels followed. There
was only room enough for one keeper ar
time 70 slip into the cellar. But the rescue
party did not consider the risk OF a bro
ken head Each and every one, amid the
screenings OF the animals. slid down INTO
the cellar. which is poorly lighted.
As Engelholm started FOR Nike that wary
animal heaved n chair leg ar the keeper
and II landed on Engelholm's shin. He
stopped To rub II and another baby car
rage wheel mir an assistant amidships and
took the wind out of him. DR.. Ditmar:
lodged as the leg OF A stool went sailing
past.
The TWO orang -outangs were estapnsheo
in the middle OF the feather bed. whlcf
they had ripped open. and every time they
moved the feathers swirled about all th'
more and foated UP through the open traT
door
The keepers then got together. calling al
the time 70 the apes. Their injunctions &c
behave" had no effect on the beasts. wnlcf
we're having the time Of their lives. Iner
DR.. Ditmars suggested a flying wedge The
six members Of the rescuing party made
iurnp at the orang-outangs al one time
ducking low TO avoid missiles They man
aged 70 grab both apes without being hurt
and soon had them back in the cage
The exhibition had 70 be given vitr
PATCHED up furniture and no mattress. The
feathers were still flying about the parA
/ late Yesterday Afternoon.