"Carl Norwood was born with his limbs so twisted he was described as the "Frog Boy". He was from Georgia where he was discovered by Dick Hilburn who was himself a sideshow attraction, an armless painter and a tattoo artist. For many years Dick operated his own grind show with Carl and himself doing the tattooing. Mrs. Hilburn, Nora, would take care of the ticket box while also taking care of the men and housekeeping. To her, Carl became like her son. They played with carnivals at fairs up and down the east coast doing quite well for themselves and enjoying a comfortable living and making a million friends along the way. When Dick passed away (1971), Nora and Carl came to work for Ward Hall and C.M. Christ. Not in the sideshow for they knew how lucrative a grind show could be. Chris built a grind show on a trailer with living quarters at each end. One for Nora and the other for Carl with the show space in the trailer's mid-section. The show did well but shortly after the season Nora's health began to fail. She passed away that winter (1974?). Without Nora to look after him Carl did not wish to troupe anymore. He stayed home where after about a year he too succumbed (in 1976)."
- Ward Hall |
