KT Johnston

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@Mambisa_G @Learn_wit_Clara Confirmed! Story with bibliography here.

@Learn_wit_Clara @grok confirm

From 1881 to 1890, a Chacma baboon named Jack worked as a railway signal assistant in Uitenhage, South Africa, alongside his owner James "Jumper" Wide, a double amputee who had lost both legs in a train accident. According to Wikipedia and Mental Floss, Wide trained Jack to push his trolley, sweep floors, and most remarkably, operate railway signal levers in response to train whistles. When a passenger reported seeing a baboon manning the switches, railway officials launched an investigation. Instead of dismissing the duo, they tested Jack's abilities and found he could correctly identify whistle signals and operate the levers with precision. Impressed, the railway oficially hired Jack, giving him an employment number, a daily wage of 20 cents, and a weekly beer allowance. Over nine years on the job, Jack reportedly never made a single mistake, earning the respect of railway staff and passengers alike. He died of tuberculosis in 1890, and his skullis now preserved at the Albany Museum in Grahamstown as a tribute to his extraordinary service.

@WmJRossHoefling @thyphoidjack True story told here - bibliography included!

@thyphoidjack 🧐

James “Jumper” Wide and Jack the baboon In the late 1880s, Jumper Wide worked for the Port Authority Railway service in Cape Town. Known for his daredevil antics, he had earned the nickname “Jumper” for leaping between train cars—a habit that led to tragedy when a miscalculation cost him both legs below the knee. Undeterred, he crafted himself a pair of wooden peg legs and returned to work. But now, he needed help managing the daily operations. Jack, the baboon, proved more than just a pet. He quickly learned how to operate railway signals and assist Jumper with a remarkable level of precision. He would push trolleys, fetch keys, and most famously, pull the correct levers after listening for Jumper’s whistle commands. An official investigation was initiated after someone reported that a baboon was observed changing railway signals at Uitenhage near Port Elizabeth. At first, railway authorities were understandably sceptical—until they observed Jack’s performance for themselves. So impressed were they that Jack was officially hired, paid 20 cents a day and given a weekly ration of half a bottle of beer. For nine years, Jack worked without a single recorded mistake. His loyalty never wavered, and Jumper’s trust in him was absolute. Together, the man and the baboon became a local legend, not only for their operational efficiency but also for the sheer humanity of their bond. Jack died of tuberculosis in 1890. His skull is in the collection of the Albany Museum in Grahamstown. Source: the Cape Mercury of 29 May 1923.

@Dr_TheHistories There's a book that tells their story! Carried by the major U.S. distributors and can get outside the U.S. through Fogerty's in Port Elizabeth or Blackwell's.

A baboon named Jack officially worked for South African railways (1881-1890) as a signalman and was paid twenty cents a day and half a beer weekly. Jack never made a single mistake in his entire Railway career. Jack was a chacma baboon who assisted a paraplegic railway signalman named James Wide, also known as "Jumper" Wide, after losing his legs in a railway accident. James Wide trained Jack to help him with his daily tasks. Over time, Jack learned to operate railway signals under supervision, requiring careful attention and precision... Jack the Baboon became famous for his reliability and accuracy in railway signal operation. He never made a mistake in the nine years he worked for the railway. Jack passed away in 1890, and his skull is preserved at the Albany Museum in Grahamstown, South Africa, as a reminder of his unique contributions to the railway industry. #drthehistories

@Von_Draken Illustration is from RAILWAY JACK, by KT Johnston, published by Capstone. Inquire wherever books are sold.

JACK BABOON was a Chacma baboon who, during the latter part of the 19th century, was a legally employed and paid railway signalman for the Cape Government Railways, South Africa. He was overseen by his owner, JE Wide (who was crippled), and in 10 years he never made a mistake.

🔗Details on TSA vs Private Security redstate.com/wardclark/2025… 🔗Fascinating Story about Railway Operator: Jack The Baboon thevintagenews.com/2016/09/11/a-b…

When a baboon can run a railway operation for 9 years without an error (🔗to story underneath) perhaps revisiting the TSA is in order… Should the TSA be abolished in favor of Private Security? Mike Lee (R-UT) and Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), revealed a bill that would abolish the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) in favor of private security. The bill would also directs the Homeland Security and Transportation Secretaries to make a reorganization plan and submit it to Congress. Tuberville: "…The TSA is an inefficient, bureaucratic mess that infringes on Americans' freedoms…” TSA has a long history of being accused of inefficiency and incompetence since the agency began after 9/11. Some examples from Ward Clark @TheGreatLander ‘s article 🔗ed underneath: -In 2006, Newark, NJ airport TSA screeners failed 20 of 22 security tests, including missing firearms and explosives. -In 2011, TSA fired 36 screeners in the Honolulu airport for allowing bags to pass through security with no inspection. -In 2015, a test by the Department of Homeland Security revealed investigators succeeded in smuggling prohibited items through TSA in 95 percent (!) of attempts.

#bookgiveaway To enter, send your full name, the name of your school/homeschool, and your book choice through ktjohnston.com/contact (U.S. only) Read more about the books on my website. #teachers #homeschoolers #kidlit #literacy #reluctantreaders #homeschool #homeschooling

@zenzele There's a book that tells their true story! Carried by the major U.S. distributors, and outside the U.S. through Fogerty's in Port Elizabeth or Blackwell's.

A baboon named Jack officially worked for South African railways (1881-1890) as a signalman and was paid twenty cents a day and half a beer weekly. Jack never made a single mistake in his entire Railway career. Jack was a chacma baboon who assisted a paraplegic railway signalman named James Wide, also known as "Jumper" Wide, after losing his legs in a railway accident. James Wide trained Jack to help him with his daily tasks. Over time, Jack learned to operate railway signals under supervision, requiring careful attention and precision. Jack the Baboon became famous for his reliability and accuracy in railway signal operation. He never made a mistake in the nine years he worked for the railway. Jack passed away in 1890, and his skull is preserved at the Albany Museum in Grahamstown, South Africa, as a reminder of his unique contributions to the railway industry. I think Jack should be our.......... #Asakhe

@UntamedAlwilda @roseveniceallan Lis and Jubilee's story is told in a children's book! ktjohnston.com/jubilee

@roseveniceallan Lis Hartel ❤️ - and there should be a movie about her. She is a real inspiration. Listen to her story, there is both the fight for women and there is a personal fight as disabled. youtube.com/watch?v=B-rNjU…

I’m sick of seeing male sports cheats taking women’s prizes and cluttering up my timeline, please can you post a picture or a gif of your favourite female athlete: #CelebrateWomensSports

@AdmirableWomen Lis and Jubilee's story told in a children's book! ktjohnston.com/jubilee

The Incredible Story of Danish Equestrian Lis Hartel Despite being paralyzed from the knee down (polio), she won silver medals in the 1952 & 1956 Olympics in #dressage & was a 7-time Danish National Champion. Born #OTD in 1921. horsenation.com/2014/11/17/oly… #WHM #WomensHistoryMonth

OBI's ITCH, @thekidlitcrew crewmate @nettschott's sequel to OBI's MUDBATH is finally out in the world, available from Clear Fork's site now & soon on Amazon. Watch for it!

It's always fun to see crewmembers' books used as examples/mentor texts! Julie Hedlund, co-founder of the Picture Book Summit conference, highlighted KT Johnston's book JUBILEE: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream at this year's pre-summit PJ Party! @KTDidz @CapstonePub

@nettschott @JulieFHedlund ♥ Thank you for sharing this, Annette - and thank you Julie for the shoutout!

Excited to see JUBILEE The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream written by @KTDidz during the #PBSummit PJ party @JulieFHedlund

@ExploreNCA Est-ce que le Marché aux Fleurs (Nice) est ouvert le 8 Mai (un vacance)? Et tous les boutiques et restaurants au Vieux Nice aussi? Ou y en a-t-il beaucoup de fermés? Merci!

Book Nook shelf inserts are mini dioramas that are wedged btw books on your shelf & usually display scenes from books, movies or well-known places. 👉 If you were to have one based on your favorite book, what world would we be peering into? (PS, a gift idea for book lovers!)

@PlanetTyrus Congratulations to Georgie! JUBILEE: The First Therapy Horse and an Olympic Dream

JUBILEE’s among great company in this summer’s recommended nonfiction audiobooks for kids from Book Riot! bookriot.com/compelling-non… #whattoread #kidlit @CapstonePub

A portion of my "faves shelf." Which ones have you read? 📖

In time for the holidays! Get JUBILEE on video for your young ones! #parents #readaloud #bedtimestory amazon.com/Jubilee-Piper-…