Coffey began his exhibition career in Chicago dime museums. He was billed as “The Ohio Skeleton” and he often appeared shirtless in front awed crowds. His ribs could be counted from across the room. His presentation was standard for the time and consisted of little more than groups of gawking rubes passing through and Coffey standing in a corner. There was no act, no flair to the display and very little dignity involved and John Coffey decided the situation simply would not do.
The ‘Minnesota Woolly Girl’ – Alice Elizabeth Doherty – holds the unique distinction of being the only recorded American to be born with hypertrichosis lanuginosa. A condition exceedingly rare and unusual. Born with with a mane of fine and silky blonde hair; she was an American Werewolf.
Sam was born on October 20, 1874 in Boston and his first public appearance was at the age of 19 and for the benefit of medical students at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair. Sam Parks was likely born with osteogenisis imperfecta – a condition that resulted in brittle bones and, as a result, regular painful fractures. According to a souvenir pamphlet distributed by Parks he could personally recall breaking 58 bones during his lifetime.
Captain William George Auger was Born in Cardiff, Wales on December 27, 1882 to parents of average size. By fourteen, George already stood over 6 feet in height. As an adult, Auger was often billed at standing over 8 feet in height, however his true stature was much more honest at around seven and a half. As a young man, George Auger served as a police officer in Cardiff and was likely the tallest officer in the history of the company.
Unlike many of her bearded-lady contemporaries – the Baroness Sidonia de Barcsy was a genuine member of a royal family. Sidonia was born whisker free on May 1, 1866 in Hungary. She remained sans mane until shortly after she gave birth to her son at the age of 19. Her son, Nicu, was a dwarf and was destined to stand less than three feet in height. The Baroness, meanwhile, began to sprout facial hair and in a few short months Sidonia possessed a full beard measuring nearly 9 inches in length.
At one point in history every circus, carnival, and vaudeville hall had a strongman on hand to astound spectators. The image of a mustachioed man clad in leopard print while hoisting a bending barbell high aloft is still synonymous with circuses. The spectacles these men provided ranged from the highly impressive the the borderline mundane but in a golden age populated with hundreds of contemporaries an individual simply had to go the extra mile to ensure fame and fortune.
John Holtum elected to stand apart by becoming a human target. Holtum caught cannon balls fired directly at his him from point-blank range.
There are a handful of human marvels who seem to transcend time, culture and societal norms. These truly unique few become forever recognizable and iconic to the general public. Joseph Merrick, The Elephant Man will be forever famous due to his unforgettable visage. Likewise, Jo-Jo the Dog Faced Boy will forever be famous for his shaggy face and Zip the Pinhead will always remembered. However, one strange character who managed to obtain this ‘celebrity of strange’ wasn’t really that strange at all. Or, at least, not when compared to other more ‘impressive’ marvels.
Mr. Smith held his daughter to the red-hot stove until her arms were destroyed. Too badly damaged in the incident, both arms were eventually amputated three inches from the shoulder at Cook County Hospital.
True love knows no bounds.
Al had an overactive pituitary gland and he eventually stood over seven feet in height. To earn a career in sideshow, Al claimed a height of 8’4” and billed himself as ‘The Tallest Man in the World’. No one seemed to mind Al’s embellishment, due mostly to the fact that Al was an incredibly genuine and nice guy.
J. Tithonus Pednaud herein presents for your edification and enlightenment a curious collection of human marvels. These portent and exceptionally unique human beings stand as uplifting testaments to human spirit and serve as inspiring examples of human tenacity.
