SPIDER  BOY

The first I've heard of Henry Bulson as "Spider Boy" was in 1927 when he joined up with the personnel of "A Night At Coney Island".     The show was billed as "The Most Amusing and Strangest Act in Vaudeville" - "The greatest act touring the United States - Almost an hour of entertainment by the world's most famous congress of freaks."

Hank, in his trademark pose

The story is told that Henry once fell in love with a fellow showgirl. She apparently reciprocated his feelings and the two were married but not long after - she left him, leaving a note telling him she couldn't stand to look at him anymore.    And ever since, when Henry went up on stage he would look over the audience carefully, hoping to spot his love come back to him.

A news columnist unflatteringly described Henry thus: "The Spider Boy is not a pretty thing to look upon.  He has a good head, a pleasant face and a sturdy chest, but his legs are twisted like tangled branches of a young vine. He seems to have ben molded like a corkscrew."

Showing his powerful upper body

Coney Island historian JEFF STANTON had this to say about Henry: "The Spider Boy, known as Harry Bulson, began life with crippled legs and consequently developed great facility and strength with his hands and arms. Taking refuge in the woods from the taunts of kids his age, he began swinging like Tarzan from branch to branch through the trees. Sometimes he would hang on by his teeth while he set traps for birds with his hands. People became afraid of the boy who could walk long distances on his hands and bite a half dollar in two with his teeth. Eventually he was confined to a mental institution but escaped by twisting the bars from his cell window. He was given shelter by an old farmer who pitied him. When a carnival passed through the area he became Spider Boy, a side show celebrity. Eventually he moved to Coney Island where he got top billing at Wagner's show."

The following 3 photos courtesy of "Show Freaks & Monster" showing the personnel in "A Night At Coney Island" 1927 & 1928

l to r: Ajax, sword swallower; Henry (note his legs are splayed behind him); Princess Ida, legless dancer; Forrest Layman, armless wonder;  (standing): Mr. and Mrs. Pete Robinson, fat lady and human skeleton; Mrs. Tiny, the smallest mother in the world; Albert-Alberta, half-man, half-woman; Olga Roderick, bearded lady; Coney Island Charlie, talker; (behind) Paul Herold, giant

Many of the same personnel as above, but this time including Betty Green as "Koo-Koo, the bird girl" and Nina, snake charmer

Henry Bulson was still appearing as "Spider Boy" in 1942 in Sam Wagner's World Circus Sideshow then suddenly this appeared in an issue of Billboard that same year: "Henry Balsam (sic), Spider Boy, left for home in Congers, N.Y., to go into the trucking business in partnership with a local boss trucker."   The following year we learn "William Henry Bulsom, Spider Boy, visited here. Now making WAC uniforms in New City, N.Y."

A New Orleans street parade to advertise the show.  All eyes are on Henry as he pulls the car with his teeth!

I have yet to discover whatever became of Mr. Bulson. Perhaps he is yet living in a home for the aged telling stories of his glory days as the "SPIDER BOY".