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| (left) Schlitzie's debut as the "Last of the Aztecs" at the World's Museum in Philadelphia, Jan 9, 1921. The World's Museum was one of the last Dime Museums in America. I could find it mentioned only the three years from 1920 - 1922. It is interesting that Prince Randion is also appearing at the World's Museum at the same time. The careers of Schlitzie and Randion were intertwined, often appearing in the same venues over the years. Schlitzie appeared again at the World's Museum early in the following year and was advertised as "Schlitzie, the Mysterious". |
| In 1921 Schlitzie was loaned to Charles Zerm and his wife Bernice. Bernice returned in Dec of that year to New York from Cuba or possibly South America where she had been managing the Schlitzie show. In their passenger arrival record, Bernice gives "Slitzie's" date and place of birth as July 17, 1895 San Antonio, Texas. But this was all made up off the top of her head. Bernice's own birthdate was Jun 7, 1895 and at the time her husband was the manager of a 10-in-1 for the Wortham and Rice Carnival which wintered in San Antonio. This is probably the origin of rumours that Schlitzie was form New Mexico. Charles Zerm had come to know Steven Mills when both worked the show grounds of the Rice & Dore Water Carnival in 1914. The Zerms later came to live in Venice, Calfornia "The Coney Island of the West" (left) so it is possible Schlitzie may have appeared here at one time. Apparently, Bernice was Charles' second wife. His third was Patsy Kennedy whom he married in 1945. Patsy was known as "Lady Patricia", sword-swallower with RBB&B in the '40's and '50's. |
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| This is the grand entrance to the Dreamland Circus Sideshow at Coney Island, 1921 which was then managed by Sam Gumpertz. Steve Mills secured a contract for Schlitzie to appear here in 1922 and 1923. In 1924 Schlitzie was booked again with the RBB&B "Congress of Freaks" (photo left, below) and again the following year (photo right). |
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| Schlitzie with Ringling Brothers and Barnum & Bailey, Congress of Freaks. These are photo details from Barth and Siegels's "Step Right This Way: The Photographs of Edward J. Kelty" |
| 1924 |
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| author's collection |
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