Isaac W. Sprague
Isaac W. Sprague | |
|---|---|
 Sprague in 1867, aged 26 | |
| Born | May 21, 1841 |
| Died | January 5, 1887 (aged 45) Chicago, Illinois, U.S. |
| Occupation | Sideshow performer |
| Known for | Performing as "The Living Skeleton" |
| Spouse | Tamar Moore |
| Children | 3 |
Isaac W. Sprague (May 21, 1841 – January 5, 1887) was an American entertainer and sideshow performer, billed as the living human skeleton.[1]
Early life
He was born on May 21, 1841, in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts.[2][3]
Career
During early adulthood, Sprague worked as a cobbler for his father and later as a grocer. As his illness progressed, however, he became too weak to continue either occupation.[4][5] After the deaths of his parents, he was unable to find enough work to support himself and was left unemployed.[5]
In 1865, at age 24, Sprague accepted a position in a circus sideshow, where he was billed as "The Living Skeleton" and "The Original Thin Man".[6] The following year, in 1866, at age 25, P. T. Barnum hired him to perform at Barnum's American Museum. Barnum paid Sprague $80 a week (equivalent to $1,800 today).[7][5] Sprague later recalled overhearing Barnum remark to an agent, "Pretty lean man, where did you scare him up?"[5]
In 1868, at age 27, Sprague escaped unharmed when Barnum's American Museum was destroyed by fire.[8] After taking time away from exhibition to marry Tamar Moore, Sprague attempted to leave the sideshow business. Financial hardship and his illness prevented him from finding other employment, and he later resumed touring throughout the United States, Canada and England.[8][1][4]
Medical condition
Sprague was reportedly healthy throughout childhood until he became ill following a swimming accident at age 12.[1][6] Although he retained a healthy appetite, he never recovered and continued to lose weight for the rest of his life.[4] As his condition worsened, he became increasingly weak and was eventually unable to continue working as a cobbler or grocer during early adulthood.[4][5]
By 1885, at age 44, Sprague stood 5 ft 6 in (168 cm) tall but weighed only 43 lb (20 kg).[6] As the disease advanced, he carried a flask of milk around his neck and drank from it throughout the day to help remain conscious.[4]
Later writers have described Sprague's illness as consistent with extreme progressive muscular atrophy, a rare neurological disease that causes muscles to weaken and shrink over time.[9]
Marriage and family
Sprague married Tamar Moore shortly after 1868 and the couple had three sons, all of whom grew up to be healthy and physically normal.[1] Sprague found happiness in his family, stating "Life, that had at times seemed so little worth preserving, now seemed more precious."[5]
Death
He died on January 5, 1887, in poverty, of asphyxia in Chicago, Illinois.[1][2][4]
See also
References
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Death of 'Living Skeleton'". New York Times. January 7, 1887. Retrieved March 28, 2015.
Isaac Sprague, the "living skeleton," died here yesterday. He was born in Bridgeport, Mass., and was quite healthy until his twelfth year, when he caught a cramp while in swimming, fell sick, and lost flesh until he weighed only 46 pounds. Barnum took him all over the United States, Canada, and England. He was married and the father of three robust children.
- 1 2 "Human Skeletons". Show History. Archived from the original on September 28, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ↑ Dunn, Morgan (August 26, 2021). "'The Living Skeleton' Delighted Audiences As A Sideshow 'Freak' — But His Offstage Story Was Tragic". All That's Interesting. Retrieved July 3, 2026.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Pednaud, J Tithonus (June 29, 2016). "Isaac W. Sprague - The Original Living Skeleton". The Human Marvels. Archived from the original on October 5, 2011. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 Hartzman, Marc (June 29, 2016). "Isaac W. Sprague, The Original Thin Man". American Sideshow. Penguin. p. 158. ISBN 9781440649912.
- 1 2 3 Bolin, Steven. "I. W. Sprague". Steven Bolin's Vintage Sideshow Photographs. Archived from the original on December 27, 2019. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
- ↑ 1634–1699: McCusker, J. J. (1997). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States: Addenda et Corrigenda (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1700–1799: McCusker, J. J. (1992). How Much Is That in Real Money? A Historical Price Index for Use as a Deflator of Money Values in the Economy of the United States (PDF). American Antiquarian Society. 1800–present: Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis. "Consumer Price Index (estimate) 1800–". Retrieved February 29, 2024.
- 1 2 Nickell, Joe (2005). Secrets of the Sideshows. Lexington, Ky.: University Press of Kentucky. p. 103. ISBN 0-8131-7179-2. OCLC 65377460.
- ↑ Cantrell, M Asher (June 28, 2016). "The True Stories Behind 11 Famous Sideshow Performers". Mental Floss. Retrieved July 3, 2023.
External links
- "The Living Skeleton; He Agrees to Give His Body to Harvard Medical College", New York Times, December 23, 1883. Paywall