The Fourlegged Girl From Texas
By celticeagle
@celticeagle (158876)
Boise, Idaho
May 12, 2022 3:11pm CST
I was looking through the list of celebrities with birthdays today and along with Katherine Hepburn and George Carlin, I found a woman by the name of Myrtle Corbin(May 12, 1868 - May 06, 1928). I didn't recognize the name so I did some research. Come to find out she was a circus performer known as "The Fourlegged Girl From Texas". Due to her unique body, she was toured around to different circuses and "freak shows". She was known as a monster because she was different. The other two feet were weak but she dressed them up with smaller socks and boots. She could do everything a person with two legs could do.
Image courtesy of Flickr.
She actually went on to have five children. Her amazing story can be read here:
https://www.thevintagenews.com/2021/12/20/this-girl-was-deemed-a-monster-for-having-four-legs/?edg-c=1
6 people like this
5 responses
@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
12 May 22
Myrtle's is a fascinating story. When I saw the photo, the first thing I thought was an underdeveloped twin partially absorbed in utero. This, it turns out, was the case, as I learned in reading the article. How amazing it was that she had two complete sets of reproductive organs. Even more amazing was how she survived to the age of 59.
2 people like this
@BarBaraPrz (45475)
• St. Catharines, Ontario
13 May 22
I wonder just how complete the two sets were... was it possible for her to have two concurrent pregnancies, not twins...
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@DWDavis (25812)
• Pikeville, North Carolina
14 May 22
@BarBaraPrz Interesting question. If her husband was the father of both, would they be considered twins?
2 people like this
@LindaOHio (155961)
• United States
13 May 22
Obviously she had a twin that never separated. I'm glad she was able to make a living and have a family.
2 people like this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 22
Yes. Both those are worth the humiliation I suppose.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 22
I agree. But, at least she did have a life.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 22
@rebelann .........There was an oriental set of twins that were conjoined at the abdomen(i think) and they went on to have families.
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@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 22
Sort of sad for the other body that didn't form.
1 person likes this
@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
15 May 22
@LadyDuck ......Yes, glad it doesn't happen often.
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@LadyDuck (457918)
• Switzerland
14 May 22
@celticeagle - I agree, it happens, I am glad not too often.
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@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
17 May 22
@porwest .......And learn from the miserable ones.
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@celticeagle (158876)
• Boise, Idaho
13 May 22
Yes, that was a positive part to the story.
1 person likes this
@porwest (78761)
• United States
17 May 22
@celticeagle One must always find a silver lining. No matter what. Life's too short. Enjoy every moment even if some of them are miserable.
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