Although sideshows are no longer seen in America, it was once quite famous among the masses. People with bodily abnormalities were the main attractions of these sideshows. Their roles were minimal yet very impressive. Nowadays, there is very little information available about these sideshow performers. Let us talk about a few of these great performers to pay our tribute to them.
Annie Jones
She was called the bearded lady. Since there was no method to remove facial hair in America, she had to face all the hard stares and glares of society. She was born in 1865. It is said that at the time of her birth, her chin was already covered with hair. It must have been some hormonal imbalance in her body that led to the indomitable growth of her facial hair.
Her parents were offered $150 per week for the girl to be presented on the show called "the freak show." It was a contract of three years. She started working as a sideshow performer at the age of one.
Her parents were offered $150 per week for the girl to be presented on the show called "the freak show." It was a contract of three years. She started working as a sideshow performer at the age of one.
She was once kidnapped by a New York phrenologist who claimed that the girl was his child.
She died at the age of 32, suffering from tuberculosis.
She died at the age of 32, suffering from tuberculosis.
Jack Earle
The world's tallest man, Jack Earle was born in 1906. It is said that he was 6 feet tall even before he turned 10. Although his height as an adult is not confirmed, people believe the figures to be 7 to 8 feet. The condition that led to his unbelievable height was called acromegalic gigantism. He was initially an actor, but he retired from the industry after an accident. After this tragic incident in his life, he was offered a role in the circus by Barnum.
After a few years, he left the circus and started working as a traveling salesman for a wine company. They say he died of kidney failure at the age of 46 in 1952.
After a few years, he left the circus and started working as a traveling salesman for a wine company. They say he died of kidney failure at the age of 46 in 1952.
Myrtle Corbin
The girl with four legs, Myrtle Corbin was born in 1868. She started working as a sideshow performer at the age of 13. She was born with an abnormality called dipygus. Because of her gentle nature, she became very popular and started earning 450 dollars per week. Later on, she married James Clinton Bicknell and had five healthy kids. Unfortunately, she died of a skin infection at the age of 60.
Fedor Jeftichew
He was called Jo Jo, "the dog-faced boy." The boy was born with hereditary hypertrichosis (also known as the werewolf syndrome). As a result, he had hair all over his body and face. He was brought to America at the age of 16 to perform at the sideshows. It is said that Fedor's father, too, had the same syndrome. He drank too much, which was ultimately the cause of his death. He died at the age of 35 while battling pneumonia.
Chang and Eng Bunker
They were the Siamese twins. Their story is like a roller coaster. Firstly, they were seen by a hunter who thought of making money by selling them. He managed to bribe their mother and buy them.
Later on, they realized that they were exploited, so they broke the contract with the hunter at the age of 21. Then they bought a field for the plantation and married twin sisters. They fathered 21 normal kids.
Later on, they realized that they were exploited, so they broke the contract with the hunter at the age of 21. Then they bought a field for the plantation and married twin sisters. They fathered 21 normal kids.
They lost everything when the civil war began. Chang did not take it very well and started drinking. In the year 1874, Chang died of bronchitis in sleep. Eng saw his brother dead, and within a few hours, he too passed away.