Eli Bowen

The Legless Acrobat
Bowen in 1867, age 23
Born
Eli Bowen

(1844-10-14)October 14, 1844
Richland County, Ohio, U.S.
DiedMay 4, 1924(1924-05-04) (aged 79)
New York City, U.S.
Occupation(s)Circus artist, sideshow artist
SpouseMattie Haight
Children4

Eli Bowen (October 14, 1844 – May 4, 1924) was an American sideshow performer known as "The Legless Wonder", or "The Legless Acrobat".[1] He was also billed as "The Handsomest Man in Showbiz" and the "Wonder of the Wide, Wide World".[2] His peak weight was 140 pounds (64 kg); his height was 24 inches (61 cm).

  1. ^ Slout, William L (1998). Olympians of the Sawdust Circle: A Biographical Dictionary of the Nineteenth Century American Circus. San Bernardino, Calif: Borgo Press. p. 30.
  2. ^ Cite error: The named reference Carny Folk was invoked but never defined (see the help page).