Thompson Westcott scrapbooks of the History of the Philadelphia Stage
History of the Philadelphia Stage, Between the Years 1749 and 1855. By Charles Durang. Volume 3. Arranged and illustrated by Thompson Westcott, 1868

p. 186

Facsimile

Transcription

Status: Complete

[Mr. Calvin Edson,
The Living Skeleton.

The Public are respectfully informed, that this Extraordinary and
Wonderful Curiosity, will be Exhibited for a few days prior to his
departure for Europe at the
Masonic Hall, Chesnut St.

This Extraordinary Man was Born in Stafford, Connecticut, and is 42 years
Old, 5 feet 3 inches high, and weighs but 58 lbs. His weight was for-
merly 135 pounds.

He has been gradually losing his flesh for the last 16 years, without any
apparent disease, having enjoyed perfect health and appetite; eats, drinks and
sleeps as well as any man; can walk, dance, ride on horseback, &c. His
bodily strength is not so much impaired but that he can lift 200lbs. His men-
tal powers are not at all diminished. He was a soldier in the last war, and
was at the Battle of Plattsburg, and one of the brave men who gallantly vo-
lunteered to take up the planks from the bridge to prevent the passage of the
enemy. He slept on the ground the night after the battle, and was chilled,
and benumbed with the cold - since which time he has been gradually losing
his flesh, until it is all gone, and nothing left but skin and bones; he is lively
fond of jokes and company. all who have seen him, pronounce him the
greatest human curiosity ever exhibited. He has been visited by many Phy-
sicians and scientific men, but none of them pretend to account for his extra-
ordinary appearance.

He has Exhibited at Boston, Albany and New York, where he has met
with very liberal patronage from the public, and has been visited by many of
the first Families, particularly Ladies and Children.

He is without doubt the most Extraordinary and Wonderful Curiosity
ever presented to An American Public. Open from 10 to 1 A.M.
and from 4 to 10 o'clock P.M.

Tickets 50 Cents, Children Half Price.

N.B. [Owing?] to the arrangements for Mr. Edson's departure for London,
the public may rest assured that he cannot remain but a very few days.
Young, Printer.]

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