Ella Ewing

Ella Kate Ewing ( born March 9, 1872 in La Grange, Missouri, † January 10, 1913 in South Gorin, Missouri) was a U.S. American who was known in her lifetime as one of the greatest women worldwide. Because of her height, she performed in sideshows and was called "The Missouri Giantess " (engl. " The giantess from Missouri ").

Biography

Childhood and adolescence

Ella Ewing was the only child of Benjamin F. and Anna Eliza Ewing. When she was still a toddler, the family moved to the Scotland County, southeast of Gorin. While she was a baby and small child, she had a normal size; until their seventh birthday, showed symptoms of an unusual growth. At the age of 14 years, Ella towered over not only their peers, but also their parents with a size of 2.08 m (6 ' 10 "). Because of their size also emerged social problems that were caused by their growth.

Ewing's maximum size is scientifically controversial, but some calculations on them, shall 2.44m (8 '). According to records of her mother reached Ella, after the end of growth, aged 22 years, a height of 2.54 m (8 ' 4 "). The Guinness Book of Records measured Ella Ewing at 2.25 m (7 ' 4.5 " ) and 2.29 m (7 ' 6" ) at the time of her death. As usual with large breed, her arms were disproportionately long and her hands and feet unusually large. Therefore, Ewing had to wear tailored clothing and custom-made footwear.

Career and later life

Despite their reluctance to stand because of its size at the center to Ewing decided to take advantage of her situation: She has appeared in public, and went on tour. However, due to their belonging to the Baptists, it waived Sunday performances. Her professional career began at the age of twenty years, as Lewis Epstein, a museum owner, Ewing for 27 days booked. The contract allowed Ella Ewing's parents to accompany their performances. Their fraud Gage initially $ 1,000, she booked Epstein for five more months and paid $ 5,000 - could earn more than Ella's father in five years. She started her career as a sideshow attraction, which should last until her death. At the age of forty years, Ella Ewing died of tuberculosis. She was buried at Harmony Grove Church cemetery near her home town of Gorin. Near Gorin are named after her a fish pond ( " Ella Ewing reservoir " ) and an art festival in Memphis.