OBJECTS Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
WMI 311.1 |
Object Name |
Specimen, Animal |
Collection |
Murphy Collection |
Source |
Edward Murphy |
Date |
circa 1891 |
Place of Origin |
USA, Indiana, Mount Vernon |
Place |
USA, Indiana, Mount Vernon |
Description |
Siamese twin calves, sometimes called "The Eight Legged Calf". |
Provenance |
Old card: "The calf in the Museum was born below Mt. Vernon, Ind. It lived about one week and was exhibited at fairs (10 or 12) by Sam Bayless and Tommy Lanham. They kept it in a box, on the lid of which it was exhibited (just turned the lid over and he was in the box) (Don't remember the date-same year that Charlie Slonaker came here.[see Notes - this was circa 1891]) Tom Lanham (Scissors grinder, traveler) Sam Bayless (showman) played violin, married Ida Critser." |
Notes |
September 2021, brought from Gaston's Wildlife Art Services in Saint Paul, Minnesota, where it was restored. Display label: "EIGHT LEGGED CALF This siamese twins calf was born before 1900 south of Mt. Vernon In. It lived for about one week and was exhibited at 10 or 12 fairs By Sam Bayless and Tommy Lanham. It was kept in a box, the lid of which is now the base on which it stands. The date of its birth was the year that Charlie Sloniker [sic] came to town. Tom Lanham was a scissors grinder and traveler. Sam Bayless was a violinist, showman. He married Ida Critser. Presented by Dr. Edward Murphy." So the challenge is to find out the year when Charlie Slonaker came to New Harmony. From the information file on Charles Slonaker: "C. E. Slonaker a man "71 years young," died Sunday morning as he probably would have wished, among the young people of the First and Grace Methodist Episcopal churches, circles in which he always was welcomed despite his age. His death came near the close of the Easter sunrise service held in the chapel of the Beck memorial home by the Epworth leagues of the two churches. Mr. Slonaker, who resided at 405 Leland avenue, had been an employee of the Illinois Central railroad 37 years. He retired Sept. 1, 1937, after 25 years as the company's chief agent here. He had been a railway employee 45 years... (handwritten) Ap. 21, 1939"
So 1939-"about 48 years ago" => circa 1891 Charlie Slonaker came to New Harmony and the calf was born |
Dimensions |
H-25 W-22 L-33 inches |
Material |
Leather/Bone/Hair/Metal/Wood |
Owned |
Sam Bayless, Tommy Lanham |
People |
Murphy, Edward Bayless, Sam Lanham, Thomas Hindman, Thomas Slonaker, Charlie Critser, Ida |