The Dawson news. (Dawson, Ga.) 1889-current, 1925-11-24
5000 DOLLAR MONKEY
HAS THREE KEEPERS
SCIENTISTS HOPE THROUGH
HIM TO FIND IF MAN CAME :
FROM APES AND WHY.

let rays in the London zoo squats
Murphy, upon whom-or which-cer-
tain London scientists pin hope OF
discovering whether man actually
came from the apes, and, if so, why.
Murphy is the big 3year-old $4,000
orangoutang whose amazingly human
attributes furnish mirth for specta
tors data for anthropologists, and
food for thought. He is the freest
orangoutang in captivity for he can
do lust about as he likes in a two
story house with big front yard. And
he is the most pampered orangoutang
in the world. for upon him the violet
ravs which are mans imitation OF
sunlight descend daily during the chill
w English autumn weather. Violet
rays are the newest experiment at the
London ZOO, and Murphy is the eX-
perimentors greatest justification.
lust before the violet rays were IN
stalled Murphy had grown a tritie list
less and pathetic. An English autumn
in no way resembles life in a Suma-
ira Jungle. Three other orangs were
removed to the ZOO sanitarium, suit
fering from the bronchitis, colds and
pneumonia to which orangs are espe-
cially susceptible. But the instant the
violet rays began to diffuse the par
ticular properties OF sunlight into his
life Murphy regained his pep, and to
the mingled joy and despair OF his
keepers he acquired two ultra-civihzed
habits Fried bacon-and clothes.
Has Become Bashful.
Since he became the special object
Of interest in the experimental monkey
house OF the most famous ZOO i'll the
world Murphy has been seized with
very human bashfulness, at which
visitors roar with laughter, but upon
which scientists make notes. Murphy 5
three keepers treat him like another
human, and the orangis own sense OF
imitation or of the fitness of things is
fast making him a cultivated citizen,
without any other intensive training
than that of his own powers OF re-
Election.
Fried bacon and clothes are the la
test thing to appeal to these refec-
tive powers. The instant the violet
ray sunshine is turned on Murphy
comes at numbering gallop to the
upper floor of his house, pushes up
the sliding DOORS and turns slowly
round and round in the warmth. When
the sunshine is turned off Murphy
reaches vainly against the heavy wire
netting to turn it on again.
Murphy informed his keepers by
the code he employs that all was not
we'll. They puzzled their heads to dis
cover what he wanted. At last some
one gave him blanket With tri- |
umphant gesture Murphy wrapped it |
around him, American Indian fash
ion, and now he wears it nearly all
the time.
Eats Like a Human.
Murphy sits in a chair at the
breakfast table with us now" said
Keeper Cotteril1-one of the orang's
three guardians-as he switched on
the violet sunlight today; hes very
fond lately of bit of bacon, though
his regular food is fruit and green
stuff, milk and eggs and grubs.
Hes got so that he drinks from
cup now if you hold it. though he
doesn't quite get the idea yet of hold
ing it himself by the handle He plays
with us like a boy. And he's just
learned d ucW piece VI SOOu HldIlHSlo D
when we hand him a tin OF condensed
milk he helps himself and hands the
spoon back handle first.
Lately he likes to wear waist
coat. At first he tried to put both
arms and legs through the armholes,
but he knows better now, though he's
still trying to figure out how to but
tom it."
The speed with which Murphy is
becoming human is perhaps the most
remarkable thing about him. He had
been at the special monkey house on
ly since June, and it is only since
August that he has had the special
care of three keepers.
Walking on his hind legs was his
first initiative accomplishment. Shak
ing hands came soon afterward. Tam
ing his temper followed little later.
He is now about three feet tall, and
could easily break a mans arm with
his powerful hands. He should live
thanks to the violet rays-to be at
least % years old, and when he reach
es his prime he can tear man to
pieces without thinking twice about it.
Only, his keepers say, he will think
twice about it, Murphy is human in
this respect at least; he's awfully fond
of those who are awfully fond of him.
And in this respect also he will for
sake friend any time for a good meal.