Jacko hoax
Encyclopedia
The Jacko hoax was a Canadian newspaper story about a gorilla supposedly caught near Yale, British Columbia
in 1884. The story, titled "What is it?, A strange creature captured above Yale. A British Columbia Gorilla", appeared in the British Columbia
newspaper the Daily Colonist on July 4th, 1884. On July 9th, 1884, the Mainland Guardian newspaper in New Westminster, British Columbia
stated "that no such animal was caught, and how the Colonist was duped in such a manner, and by such a story, is strange." On July 11, 1884, the newspaper British Columbian reported that about 200 people went to view "Jacko" at the jail where he was supposedly kept, but the people found only a man at the jail who fielded questions about a creature that did not exist.
The "Jacko" story has been used by Bigfoot
advocates as evidence for the existence of Sasquatch. The original newspaper article describes "Jacko" as a gorilla and not a Sasquatch. Many books about Bigfoot and cryptid
s have featured the event and cite the original newspaper article. In 2008 Michael Cremo
discussed the story as possible proof for the existence of Sasquatch. However, the writer Joe Nickell
noted that the story was regarded at the time by the Mainland Guardian as a hoax. The "Jacko" story was featured on the A&E
television documentary series Ancient Mysteries about Bigfoot, season 4, episode 18 narrated by Leonard Nimoy
. The story was also mentioned on the Bigfoot episode of the television series In Search Of..., season 1, episode 5.
Anthropologist Grover Krantz
suggests that Jacko was purchased by P. T. Barnum
and exhibited as Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy. Photos of Jo-Jo between 1884 and 1885 indicate Jo-Jo was replaced. However, Bigfoot researcher Chad Arment claims that Jo-Jo was not Jacko, as Jo-Jo could speak many languages and could write his name according to an article in the New York Times, October 13, 1884.
Yale, British Columbia
Yale is an unincorporated town in the Canadian province of British Columbia. It was founded in 1848 by the Hudson's Bay Company as Fort Yale by Ovid Allard, the appointed manager of the new post, who named it after his superior, James Murray Yale, then Chief Factor of the Columbia District...
in 1884. The story, titled "What is it?, A strange creature captured above Yale. A British Columbia Gorilla", appeared in the British Columbia
British Columbia
British Columbia is the westernmost of Canada's provinces and is known for its natural beauty, as reflected in its Latin motto, Splendor sine occasu . Its name was chosen by Queen Victoria in 1858...
newspaper the Daily Colonist on July 4th, 1884. On July 9th, 1884, the Mainland Guardian newspaper in New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster, British Columbia
New Westminster is an historically important city in the Lower Mainland region of British Columbia, Canada, and is a member municipality of the Greater Vancouver Regional District. It was founded as the capital of the Colony of British Columbia ....
stated "that no such animal was caught, and how the Colonist was duped in such a manner, and by such a story, is strange." On July 11, 1884, the newspaper British Columbian reported that about 200 people went to view "Jacko" at the jail where he was supposedly kept, but the people found only a man at the jail who fielded questions about a creature that did not exist.
The "Jacko" story has been used by Bigfoot
Bigfoot
Bigfoot, also known as sasquatch, is an ape-like cryptid that purportedly inhabits forests, mainly in the Pacific Northwest region of North America. Bigfoot is usually described as a large, hairy, bipedal humanoid...
advocates as evidence for the existence of Sasquatch. The original newspaper article describes "Jacko" as a gorilla and not a Sasquatch. Many books about Bigfoot and cryptid
Cryptid
In cryptozoology and sometimes in cryptobotany, a cryptid is a creature or plant whose existence has been suggested but is unrecognized by scientific consensus and often regarded as highly unlikely. Famous examples include the Yeti in the Himalayas and the Loch Ness Monster in...
s have featured the event and cite the original newspaper article. In 2008 Michael Cremo
Michael Cremo
Michael A. Cremo , also known as Drutakarma Dasa, is an American Hindu creationist whose work argues that modern humans have lived on the earth for billions of years...
discussed the story as possible proof for the existence of Sasquatch. However, the writer Joe Nickell
Joe Nickell
Joe Nickell is a prominent skeptical investigator of the paranormal. He also works as an historical document consultant and has helped expose such famous forgeries as the purported diary of Jack the Ripper. In 2002 he was one of a number of experts asked by scholar Henry Louis Gates, Jr...
noted that the story was regarded at the time by the Mainland Guardian as a hoax. The "Jacko" story was featured on the A&E
A&E
A&E is an abbreviation that may refer to:* Accident and Emergency, in the UK and Ireland, a common name for the emergency department of a hospital* In multimedia, it commonly stands for Arts and Entertainment....
television documentary series Ancient Mysteries about Bigfoot, season 4, episode 18 narrated by Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Nimoy
Leonard Simon Nimoy is an American actor, film director, poet, musician and photographer. Nimoy's most famous role is that of Spock in the original Star Trek series , multiple films, television and video game sequels....
. The story was also mentioned on the Bigfoot episode of the television series In Search Of..., season 1, episode 5.
Anthropologist Grover Krantz
Grover Krantz
Grover Sanders Krantz was a professor of physical anthropology at Washington State University, perhaps most famous to the general public as one of the few scientists not only to research Bigfoot, but also to express his belief in the cryptid's existence...
suggests that Jacko was purchased by P. T. Barnum
P. T. Barnum
Phineas Taylor Barnum was an American showman, businessman, scam artist and entertainer, remembered for promoting celebrated hoaxes and for founding the circus that became the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus....
and exhibited as Jo-Jo the Dog-Faced Boy. Photos of Jo-Jo between 1884 and 1885 indicate Jo-Jo was replaced. However, Bigfoot researcher Chad Arment claims that Jo-Jo was not Jacko, as Jo-Jo could speak many languages and could write his name according to an article in the New York Times, October 13, 1884.