"SKELETON WOMAN" DYING IN POVERTY
Emma Schaller, a Former Museum Attraction, an Applicant for Public Charity
In a cheerless room in the rear of the second story of No. 157 Clark street, without food, money, or fire, lies Emma Schaller, 27 years old. Until three months ago she was for nearly seven years a principal attraction of dime museums throughout the country. She was known as the "skeleton woman," the "ossified woman," and the "skeleton bride," and in the days of her greatest drawing power as a dime museum freak commanded a salary of $75 a week.
Last evening her mother, Mrs. Lizzie Schaller, 49 years old, applied at the Harrison Street Police Station for assistance. She told the police that she and her daughter had been without food for twenty-four hours and had no money. She said she had paid no rent for eight weeks and while her landlord was indulgent she was afraid he might demand the rent of them. Her daughter, she said, because of the increasing ossification of her body, had become nearly helpless and could no longer earn money in museums. A collection among the officers at the Harrison Street Police Station relieved Mrs. Schaller's most pressing necessities and she was sent away with the assurance that her case would be reported to the county agent this morning and relief would be afforded her.
In the small bare room the woman who but a short time ago was the wonder of all frequenters of museums was lying in bed scarcely able to move. Every joint in her body, with the exception of the hip joints, the arms, and shoulders, has become practically rigid, and the attention of her mother is required about her at all times. She is able to move her jaw but a very little, and it was found necessary a short time ago to pull her teeth that she might have less difficulty in taking food. She experienced no pain, but said last night that within the last few weeks the ossification had been very rapid and most noticeable in her shoulders.
She was born in St. Louis, she said. When she was 20 years old she weighed 133 pounds. Then she was seized with a peculiar malady which baffled the physicians. She lost flesh rapidly though her appetite remained good. In a year her weight was reduced to thirty-eight pounds. Then she went on the boards as the "skeleton woman." For several years she traveled about the country, posing part of the time as the "skeleton bride," J. W. Coffey, another well-known freak, acting the part of the "skeleton benedict." About three years ago the ossification set in. She began to gain in weight, and now tips the scales at sixty-three pounds. The ossification effected her voice, and she could no longer sing. Her power as an "attraction" waned. As the "ossified woman," however, she was still to be seen at museums. Nov. 3 last she played her last engagement at a State street museum, but the ossification had become so general over her body that all she would earn at their last engagement was $12 a week, and her usefulness as a freak was at an end.
Mrs. Schaller said last night that if she could get to St. Louis, where she had friends, she would be able to care for her daughter.
- February 1895 |
