Ruby seemed predestined for circus life as Clinton was also the nearby hometown of the famous Ringling Bros clown Felix Adler. So it was at age 5, parents Arthur and Birdie gave in and entered their little girl in the show business, rechristening her "Mlle. Corretta".
Like the famous Tom Thumb before her, ten years were added to her age in order to create a bigger draw. Ruby appeared four seasons with the Ringling Bros.Circus among other outfits and stayed in the business for eight years. She might have remained longer but for a tragic accident that occurred in 1912.
Ruby and parents were fulfilling an engagement with the Mazeppa Carnival in Kankakee, Ill. While riding in a buggy during a parade the horses bolted. Ruby was violently thrown from the carriage and died, her little body unable to survive the hard fall.
She was only 13 years old.
