Josephine Myrtle Corbin was born with a rare birth defect called polymelia, meaning born with extra limbs, in her case, she had 4 legs, 2 normal ones and 2 smaller ones that grew from her hips. But there was more to it. She also had 2 sets of reproductive organs and 2 pelvises. Because of this rare occurrence, she’s probably one of the few people in history considered wonders. Let’s delve into Myrtle’s story and discover her exceptional life milestones.Myrtle was considered a rare and remarkable case of human development.
Josephine Myrtle Corbin, an American sideshow performer, came into the world in 1868 as a remarkable medical rarity. Affected by a condition known as dipygus, she possessed two lower bodies from the waist down. This unusual phenomenon occurred due to her body axis splitting during development, resulting in two separate pelvises side by side. Remarkably, her smaller inner legs were paired with one of her outer legs. While Myrtle could move her inner legs, but they were too weak to walk on.
Born in Tennessee to her parents, William and Nancy, Myrtle’s arrival brought both wonder and concern. At 25, her father, William, and 34-year-old mother, Nancy, welcomed the unique little Myrtle into their lives. Medical professionals noted that if Myrtle had been delivered breech, with her bottom first, it could have been potentially fatal for both her and her mother. Thankfully, Myrtle’s early days were promising, as she displayed signs of strength, weighing 10 lb (4.5kg) just 3 weeks after her birth.
Myrtle’s father was facing financial hardship and had to think of ways to support his growing family.
© Charles Eisenmann (1855-1927) / Wikimedia Commons, © Public domain, © Palette.fm
At the age of 5 weeks, people had the opportunity to visit William Corbin and marvel at his four-legged daughter for a small fee. As the years passed, Myrtle grew up accustomed to the constant stares and astonishment from those who encountered her rare condition. Her inner legs never fully developed, her right foot was clubbed, and both of the smaller legs had 3 toes on each foot.
Over the following decade, William took Myrtle on a journey across the country, where she participated in fairs, sideshows, and dime museums. By the time she turned 14, she had achieved success and managed to secure a lucrative contract paying her an unusually high salary of $250 per week.
The four-legged girl, Myrtle, had a younger sister named Ann, who fortunately did not suffer from any birth defects.
Myrtle married when she was 18 and later became a mother.
© James R. Applegate (1849–1910), Philadelphia / Wikimedia Commons, © Public Domain, © Palette.fm
As Myrtle entered adulthood, she grew weary of the constant attention she received due to her condition. At 18, she decided to marry James Bicknell, a medical student, after which she retired from her performing career. Interestingly, her fame had inspired others to attempt to fake her unique deformity, but all of these impostors were eventually exposed as frauds.
A year into their marriage, Myrtle experienced troubling symptoms like fever, nausea, headaches, and side pains. Concerned, she sought medical attention, and to her disbelief, the doctor revealed that she was pregnant on her left side. Myrtle skeptically responded, saying, “If it had been on my right side, I would come nearer believing you are correct.” The pregnancy proved challenging for her health, and doctors even advised her to consider an abortion due to the severity of her illness. However, Myrtle managed to recover swiftly.
Over the following years, James and Myrtle welcomed seven more children into their family. Tragically, only 5 of them survived infancy, 4 daughters and a son.
© Unknown author / Wikimedia Commons, © Public Domain
The family lived a quiet life until their 5 children reached adulthood. Then Myrtle re-entered the show business. In 1909, when Myrtle was 41, she was a part of Huber’s Museum exhibit, appearing as The Four-Legged Girl from Cleburne, Texas. She often dressed her 4 legs in matching shoes and socks, to the audience’s delight. She was making $450 per week at the time.
In 1928, Myrtle developed a skin infection on her right leg, and the doctor diagnosed her with erysipelas or a strep infection. A week later, on May 6th, 1928, Myrtle passed away. Her casket was covered in concrete, and family members kept watch until it was fully cured to prevent grave robbers from stealing her remains.
Almost a century later, Josephine Myrtle Corbin Bicknell continues to inspire others by proving that even in the 19th century, a woman could forge a successful career and become a mother all at once.
My Son Approached Me, Pale and Holding My Husband’s Laptop – The Discovery He Shared Next Completely Shattered My Reality
Lana always considered herself a grounded person. As a 35-year-old mother and an avid reader of celebrity gossip, she enjoyed the escapism it offered, always with a light-hearted chuckle about how distant those stories were from her own life. Married to Jimmy, her college sweetheart, and mother to their 12-year-old son, Seth, Lana’s days were filled with the ordinary joys and challenges of family life.
However, one seemingly normal Thursday afternoon, Lana’s world was turned upside down, echoing the very gossip narratives she indulged in for entertainment. It all started when Seth, needing to finish a school project, asked to use Jimmy’s laptop because his own was updating. Jimmy, usually meticulous about his personal and work boundaries, had left his laptop at home that day, which Lana thought little of at the time.
As Seth worked at the dining table, he stumbled upon something unexpected. He found a folder not protected by the usual business-related passwords—a folder filled with personal photos that would ignite a storm of betrayal and disbelief within Lana. Concerned by what he saw, Seth called Lana over, his voice tinged with confusion and worry.
The photos Seth uncovered showed Jimmy and Lana’s sister, Maya, in a series of intimate moments—laughing over coffee, an affectionate kiss on the hand, too-close-for-comfort during family gatherings—each image a blow to Lana’s heart. Trying to maintain her composure, Lana assured Seth she would handle the situation and asked him to focus on his homework.
Over the next couple of days, Lana wrestled with her emotions and the crumbling image of her marriage. She decided to keep up appearances until she could confront Jimmy and Maya together, searching for the right moment to seek the truth.
The opportunity came when Maya, unaware of Lana’s discovery, suggested they spend a Saturday together at the spa. Throughout the day, Lana observed Maya, looking for any sign of guilt or confession, but none came. Maya was her usual bubbly self, chatting about work and future plans as if nothing was amiss.
My Son Approached Me, Pale and Holding My Husband’s Laptop – The Discovery He Shared Next Completely Shattered My Reality
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Lana always considered herself a grounded person. As a 35-year-old mother and an avid reader of celebrity gossip, she enjoyed the escapism it offered, always with a light-hearted chuckle about how distant those stories were from her own life. Married to Jimmy, her college sweetheart, and mother to their 12-year-old son, Seth, Lana’s days were filled with the ordinary joys and challenges of family life.
However, one seemingly normal Thursday afternoon, Lana’s world was turned upside down, echoing the very gossip narratives she indulged in for entertainment. It all started when Seth, needing to finish a school project, asked to use Jimmy’s laptop because his own was updating. Jimmy, usually meticulous about his personal and work boundaries, had left his laptop at home that day, which Lana thought little of at the time.
As Seth worked at the dining table, he stumbled upon something unexpected. He found a folder not protected by the usual business-related passwords—a folder filled with personal photos that would ignite a storm of betrayal and disbelief within Lana. Concerned by what he saw, Seth called Lana over, his voice tinged with confusion and worry.
The photos Seth uncovered showed Jimmy and Lana’s sister, Maya, in a series of intimate moments—laughing over coffee, an affectionate kiss on the hand, too-close-for-comfort during family gatherings—each image a blow to Lana’s heart. Trying to maintain her composure, Lana assured Seth she would handle the situation and asked him to focus on his homework.
Over the next couple of days, Lana wrestled with her emotions and the crumbling image of her marriage. She decided to keep up appearances until she could confront Jimmy and Maya together, searching for the right moment to seek the truth.
The opportunity came when Maya, unaware of Lana’s discovery, suggested they spend a Saturday together at the spa. Throughout the day, Lana observed Maya, looking for any sign of guilt or confession, but none came. Maya was her usual bubbly self, chatting about work and future plans as if nothing was amiss.
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That evening, back at Lana’s house, as they sat down for a family dinner—with Jimmy joining after what he claimed was a long day at the office—the tension was palpable to Lana. After the meal, while she was getting dessert, she overheard Maya and Jimmy in the kitchen discussing their situation. Maya’s words, “We can’t keep this from her anymore. It’s wrong,” confirmed the betrayal.
Confronting them then and there, Lana demanded the truth. The explanations that followed were fraught with excuses and apologies. Maya and Jimmy tried to justify their actions, claiming a deep connection that had unintentionally evolved beyond familial bonds. Lana, devastated yet resolute, realized the depth of their betrayal and decided it was time to reevaluate her marriage and her relationship with her sister.
In the weeks that followed, Lana and Jimmy attended counseling sessions, but the trust that had once underpinned their marriage was irreparably damaged. They agreed on a temporary separation, giving each other space to reflect on their future. Seth, deeply hurt by the revelations, struggled to interact with his father, feeling betrayed by the role model he had looked up to.
As Lana navigated through the aftermath of the discovery, she was forced to confront the reality that life could indeed be as unpredictable and dramatic as the stories in her gossip columns. She focused on healing and finding a path forward for herself and Seth, believing in the resilience of the human spirit and the importance of honesty and communication in mending the wounds of betrayal.
This poignant episode in Lana’s life serves as a stark reminder that no one is immune to life’s unexpected turns and that strength often comes from facing harsh truths head-on.
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