THE CASE OF CASEY – A WAYWARD

CHIMPANZEE
During the early years of the 20th century, showmen traveled the many fairs with
strange and wonderful animals taken from the wilds of Africa. Of all the animals,
perhaps the most enchanting was the Chimpanzee. Many were trapped by hunters and
local people alike, with the sole intention of profiteering from these unfortunate
animal's misery. Most spent their lives behind bars, with a heavy chain wrapped
around the neck treated like an amusement. Claims of course were made of this
species being Darwin's so called 'missing link'. That Chimpanzees share almost 96%
of their DNA with the human species is something to be wondered at. Chimpanzee
behaviour, was very little understood nor perhaps did anyone truly want to. Their
almost human-like qualities, led these animals to being used in the worst of possible
ways which is where we come to one such sad case. That of a male chimpanzee
named Casey.

Casey appeared in the Australian Newspaper reports in late 1914. He was named for
another chimpanzee. The so-called 'missing link' Casey owned by a Mr. Joseph, who
was by then (since 1913) installed at Taronga Zoo. His own life was not such a
pleasant one either - his days spent chained by the neck to a metal stake in the ground
at the zoo. This namesake, however, spent his life being taken across the entirety of
Australia being shown in sideshows and variety acts, as just another money making
venture.

Casey was owned by Marrickville resident Thomas Fox who exhibited him mostly
around the Sydney area. Fox claimed that Casey was the 'missing link' the
advertisements of the day titled 'Almost Human'. The large male chimpanzee was kept
at Fox's home when he wasn't travelling.

On a late evening on 6 December 1914 Casey escaped from his owner's residence
having managed to slip the chain that kept him secured from around his neck. Out in
the street Casey created mayhem. -

Probably the most exciting incident in the history of Marrickville was witnessed in
Meeks Road last night, when the huge performing chimpanzee made his escape into
the street, and for a couple of hours refused to be captured, either by his keeper or two
policemen who came hurriedly upon the scene.

The adventure, however had a very sad sequel, resulting in the death of Mrs Russell,
who lives in Meeks Road, and who apparently dropped dead from fright.

Between 7 p.m and 8 p.m. Casey a performing chimpanzee well known to the Sydney
public, and owned by Mr Fox made his escape into Meeks Road. The chimpanzee is
always kept chained up, but being of a very cunning nature, he succeeded last evening
in freeing himself from his chain and slipping out through the front gate.

Casey is a big animal, standing about five feet in height and weighing about 12 stone
and is an excellent boxer, a fact of which he apprised his keeper, who received the
most severe injury to the eye, besides several lacerations about the face while
endeavouring to effect a capture.

It was not until the arrival of Sergeant Wearin and Constable Toobey of the
Marrickville police that Casey was taken into custody. Before finally being captured
the chimpanzee charged Sergeant Wearin, catching him by the collar of the coat, and
the Sergeant found it necessary to fire two bullets into the beasts foot before it
released its grip.

During the excitement the chimpanzee rushed at a group of women, and it was then
that Mrs Russell was seen to fall to the ground. When she was picked up it was found
that she was dead.

- The Sydney Morning Herald 7 December 1914

The coroner would later rule that Mrs Russell's death was accidental. In fact she he
died of a heart attack. Thomas Fox though, was not let off the incident. The grieving
husband of the deceased woman John Henry Russell, took Fox to the Supreme Court
claiming damages of £1,000 under the Compensation to Relatives Act 1897.

The case was heard in September of 1915 with the plaintiff alleging that due to Fox's
negligence that his wife's death was as a direct result her running away from the
persuing chimpanzee.

.
...This was an action brought by John Henry Russell, bread carter and administrator of
his late wife, Emily Russell, against Thomas Fox, to recover under the Compensation
to Relatives Act, for the loss of the deceased whose death,as be alleged, by the
negligence and want of care on the part of the defendant in the keeping of a
Chimpanzee.

....The chimpanzee which was at once persued by the defendant and his wife, one
armed with an iron bar, and the other with hot water took refuge on the roof of a
house. The police also joined in the persuit, and Mrs Russell was one among a large
number of people who were in the thoroughfare. Suddenly a cry was raised that the
chimpanzee was about to make an attack, and Mrs Russell sustained such a severe
shock that while running away she fell upon the road and subsequently died.

...Before the occurence Mrs Russell was in, and plaintiff attributed her death to the
shock caused by the the fear of an attack from the chimpanzee. He sued on his own
behalf and for his children, for the loss of the wife and the mother, and claimed
£1,000. In cross-examination, the plaintiff admitted that deceased of was stout build,
and somewhat excitable.

The defendant pleaded not guilty.

-The Sydney Morning Herald 29 September 1915

Despite his plea of not guilty Fox was ordered by the jury to pay Russell £450 as
compensation for the loss of the man's wife.

Fox had testified that Casey the Chimpanzee was in fact very docile and that he had
exhibited the animal all over the country. The jury though remained unconvinced and
thus Fox ended up being out of pocket.

As for the fate of Casey. There were reports of him being with a younger Chimpanzee
name 'Biz' that Fox had obtained during 1915. After 1915 however, Casey all but
disappeared from the newspaper reports. Until 1917, when a small article appeared
amongst the columns of the Sunday Times

The chimpanzee Casey is dead at last. It passed over at Tampa,Florida in

January.

- Sunday Times 18 March 1917

Possibly this may not be the same Casey, however it seemed rather odd that they
would make such a report along the comment 'dead at last'. Perhaps Fox sold Casey to
someone in the USA - which would not be uncommon or unusual given that the
chimpanzee was a performing animal and thus worth a good sum of money. What
ever Casey's fate, it seems to be a sad and quiet one. We can only assume that perhaps
the Casey reported as dying in Florida is indeed the same one that was the cause of
Fox ending up the poorer for his efforts.

- Written, compiled and researched by Liz Clark February 2011