| ANNIE JONES |
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| The story is told that Annie as a 9-month old was already showing at Barnum's Museum and that after it burned down a showman abducted her and exhibited her privately throughout Europe until 1867, when he was arrested in Canada. Annie was recovered by her mother. |
| Telling Annie's life story is an ongoing project. Stars of the circus side show have always had their biographies embellished. After all, a good press agent never let the truth get in the way of a good promotional story! This author has tried his best to separate fact from fiction. The following is the result of his efforts thus far. |
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| The "Infant Esau" seen at Barnum's American Museum 1867 |
| AMERICAN BEARDED LADY |
| When Phineas Barnum's second American Museum burned down in March of 1868 the showman seriously considered retiring. He had been in the museum business almost thirty years and was almost 58 years old, which was considered elderly in those times. But just two years later, W.C. Coup didn't have to do a whole lotta convincin' to get the old man back in the business. The plan was to put together a combination traveling museum, menagerie and circus. Along with the menagerie would be a few "human prodigies." The star would be a Hebrew midget "Admiral Dot". There would also be a giant man, an armless woman, a reproduction of the "Cardiff Giant" and -------- a bearded girl. |
| "A bearded girl has made her appearance at Glade Springs Depot, Washington County, Va. She is four years old, and has a moustache and whiskers, the hair upon the forehead extending to the eyebrows. Very heavy hair, exceedingly black, extends below the shoulders. The child is sprightly, with fully developed limbs and well-formed body. The arms, shoulders and back are covered with soft, downy hair." news clipping, Apr 1870 |
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| Leopold Kahn as "Admiral Dot" |
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