Abstract:
Jo Jo, a monkey-like character who appeared with daily weather forecasts in a bottom corner of the front page of the Charlotte Observer for almost 40 years, was the creation of Curtis B. Johnson, owner/publisher of the Observer. By 1934, Jo Jo was being drawn by Charlotte commercial artist Hal Gaffney. Weather predictions were accompanied by four-line verses of wit and charm written by D. G. Spencer. During World War II, Jo Jo and artist Dick Pitts, who drew Jo Jo from 1935 until 1950, both enlisted in the army. A series of Jo Jo's cartoons was once exhibited in Charlotte's Mint Museum.