The talking chimp, Mr. Moke, was kidnapped from the St. Louis Zoo. The chimp-napper was hoping to take the bright primate to Hollywood and get rich.

This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.

Photo by Robert Lawton / Wikimedia Commons