Roy said he began to suffer paralysis following a bicycle accident. He appeared at the Century of Progress Expo with Ripley's (along with Orpha Ensign, below), the 1935-36 San Diego Pan-Pacific Expo and the 1936 Texas Centennial Central Expo. By 1937 he could move his jaw only but still managed to sign autographs with pen in mouth.   Roy lived by two mottos: 1) Don't make excuses and 2) The only helpless man is a lazy one

Roy's "nurse" demonstrates the extent of his rigidity

Ripley's "Odditorium", 1932-33 Century of Progress Expo, Chicago, USA

John Shouse (above) from Comerce,Oklahoma was known as the "Petrified Man". Here he is in 1942, age 35, with his wife-nurse who claimed if someone had hit him "he would have broken in pieces like a ceramic vase."  He "turned to stone and could not move except his lips to sip liquid food through a straw."

"Mr. Maurice" (above and left) "Ossified Man or Turning to Stone. Born in Iowa in 1892. Healthy up until the age of 10. Now in one rigid position, from head to foot.  My father spent over $10,000 with the best doctors throughout the United States for treatment.  Have taken hot baths, electric treatment, and to no effect".    "He remained in the position you see him in the photos for many years to the end of his life.  He appeared in different sideshow during his career and was often presented as the extra added attraction for which an additional admission was charged. He was an intelligent man and conver- sationalist." -  Ward Hall    In 1953 Maurice earned the title "the oldest living ossified man in the show buisiness today".

Frank Worden (above and below) "had no control of his muscles except those of his forearms, hands and face.  He could roll his eyes, but could not turn his head."

Harry Overdurff earned a living as a Pennsylvania coal miner until his 50's when he was forced to quit due to the gradual stiffening of his joints and muscles.     He later learned (or was convinced) to turn his affliction into an asset by exhibiting himself for pay. He began showing at fairs and carnivals throughout the country culminating  at the 1933 Chicago World's Fair.      His career as "Ossified Harry, Man of Stone" was short-lived however as he passed away in 1935 of "general ossification and cerebral hemorrhage."

(Photo caption) 9 Apr 1934 "Harry J. Overdurff, 68, of DuBois, Pa. has been ossified 33 years, one of the few humans to enure it."