Born shortly after the American Civil War, a young girl from Tennessee possessed a rare physical condition that turned her into a nationwide sensation. Her knees bent backward, requiring her to walk on her hands and feet. By the age of 12, she traveled from St. Louis to New Orleans, earning a massive salary while sharing a stage with live exotic animals.
Her journey took her from the glaring lights of traveling sideshows to a quiet pursuit of education and family life. This is the factual account of Ella Harper, a woman who navigated extreme fame, sudden wealth, and deep personal tragedy.
Congenital Genu Recurvatum – A Rare Medical Condition
Ella Harper was born on January 5, 1870, in Hendersonville, Tennessee. Her parents, William Harper and Minerva Ann Childress, raised livestock and tended to the family. Doctors quickly noted that Ella had congenital genu recurvatum.
This rare orthopedic condition meant her knees curved backward. She found it most comfortable to walk on all four limbs. None of her siblings shared this physical trait. During the late 19th century, sideshows dominated American entertainment, and promoters soon noticed her unique mobility.
Fame and Fortune in the Nickel Plate Circus
At just 12 years old, Ella entered the show business circuit. By 1886, ambitious showman W.H. Harris hired her for his Nickel Plate Circus. She became the star attraction, receiving a weekly salary of 200 dollars. At performances, she was brought onstage alongside a live, heavy camel weighing roughly 1,000 pounds (453.5 kilograms).
Audiences paid to observe the visual similarities between her walking posture and the animal. Promoters officially billed her as the “Camel Girl.” Despite the immense public attention, Ella explicitly planned her exit from the industry. Her official pitch card stated her intention to quit show business, attend school, and fit herself for another occupation.
Leaving the Stage for a Private Education
After approximately one year of earning her substantial weekly salary, Ella executed her plan. She left the lucrative circus industry to pursue an education and returned to her childhood home. Extreme tragedy struck her family shortly after her return. Around 1890, her father died in a house fire. Five years later, her brother Willie passed away. Ella continued to live a private life away from the public eye.
Marriage, Family Life, and Final Years
On June 28, 1905, Ella married a schoolteacher and photography shop bookkeeper named Robert Savely. The couple welcomed a daughter, Mabel Evans Savely, on April 27, 1906.
Mabel died at six months old on October 1, 1906. The family relocated to Davidson County, Tennessee. In 1918, they adopted a girl named Jewel, who passed away within three months. Ella Harper developed colon cancer and died on December 19, 1921. She was buried beside her children.