The Camel Girl Who Walked On All Fours!
Ella Harper, known as “The Camel Girl,” had an unusual condition that made her famous in the late 19th century. She was born with congenital genu recurvatum, which caused her knees to bend backward. This rare orthopedic condition led her to walk on all fours, earning her the nickname “Camel Girl.” Ella became a star in W. H. Harris’s Nickel Plate Circus, where she earned a weekly salary of around $200 and captivated the public’s curiosity. Let’s dive in to know more about her story.
Early Life of Ella Harper
Ella Evans Harper was born on January 5, 1870, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Her parents, William Harper, a farmer and stockraiser, and Minerva Ann Childress, had a large family. Ella had a twin brother, Everett, who sadly died at just three months old. She also had three other siblings: Sallie, Willie, and Jessie. The family faced many challenges, but Ella’s unique condition which set her apart, soon earned her a fortune.
Life in the Circus | Displayed Alongside A Camel
Ella began her circus career at the young age of 12, performing in St. Louis and New Orleans. Her unusual condition quickly attracted attention. In 1886, W.H. Harris saw her potential and invited her to join his Nickel Plate Circus.
During her performances, Ella was often displayed alongside a camel so the audience could see the similarities between her backward-bending knees and those of the animal. That is quite insensitive and people would truly rally against it if it happened today. She became known as “The Camel Girl” and was advertised extensively through pitch cards that explained her condition.
Ella’s performances drew large crowds, and she earned $200 per week—a significant amount equivalent to about $6,800 today.
The pitch cards distributed before her shows stated:
“I am called the camel girl because my knees turn backward. I can walk best on my hands and feet as you see me in the picture. I have traveled considerably in the show business for the past four years and now, this is 1886 and I intend to quit the show business and go to school and fit myself for another occupation.”
Deciding to Leave the Circus
In 1886, at the height of her fame, Ella decided to leave the circus to pursue her education. She expressed her intentions clearly on her pitch cards. Her earnings from the circus provided her with the financial means to follow this new path. Ella’s decision marked a significant change in her life, moving away from the public eye.
Life After the Circus
After leaving the circus, Ella returned to Sumner County, Tennessee. The 1900 census records show that she lived with her mother and one of her nieces. Her father had died in a house fire in 1890, and her brother Willie passed away five years later.
Ella’s life took a happier turn when she met Robert Savely, a schoolteacher and bookkeeper at a photography shop. They married in 1905 when Ella was 35 years old. The couple welcomed a baby girl named Mabel Savely. But tragically, she died at six months old.
Despite their loss, Ella and Robert moved to Davidson County and adopted a baby girl named Jewel Savely in 1918. Sadly, Jewel also died at three months of age.
The Later Years and Death of Ella Harper
Ella Harper spent her final years in Nashville, Tennessee. She passed away from colon cancer on December 19, 1921, at the age of 51. Ella was buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, alongside her children. Her mother, Minerva, also passed away in 1924.
Ella Harper’s life journey—from a circus attraction to a private life filled with personal losses. Her life reflects both the hardships and the brief moments of happiness she experienced.
Conclusion
Ella Harper, known as “The Camel Girl,” had an unusual condition that made her famous in the late 19th century. She was born with congenital genu recurvatum, which caused her knees to bend backward. This rare orthopedic condition led her to walk on all fours, earning her the nickname “Camel Girl.” Ella became a star in W. H. Harris’s Nickel Plate Circus, where she earned a significant salary and captivated the public’s curiosity.
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