Ella Harper was a remarkable woman who lived a life full of challenges and achievements. She was born with a rare condition that made her knees bend backwards, which earned her the nickname of the Camel Girl. She became a famous circus performer in the 19th century, but also pursued her education and married a schoolteacher. She died of colon cancer in 1921, leaving behind a legacy of courage and resilience.
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Who Was Ella Harper?
Ella Harper was born on January 5, 1870, in Sumner County, Tennessee. She was the daughter of William Harper, a farmer, and Minerva Childress, a housewife. She had four siblings, but one of them died shortly after birth. Ella was different from her family and most people, as she suffered from a rare orthopedic condition called congenital genu recurvatum, which caused her knees to bend backwards, similar to those of a camel. This made it difficult for her to walk upright, and she preferred to walk on all fours, using both her hands and feet.
According to Historic Mysteries, Ella’s condition was not painful, but it attracted a lot of attention and curiosity from others. Some people even thought she was a hoax or a product of witchcraft. Ella, however, did not let her deformity define her. She was intelligent, curious, and ambitious. She learned to read and write, and had a passion for books and music.
How Did Ella Harper Become a Circus Star?
When Ella was 12 years old, she decided to join the show business and make a living out of her unusual appearance. She started working in small-time freak shows, where she was exhibited as a curiosity and a marvel. She soon caught the eye of W.H. Harris, a prominent showman who owned the Nickel Plate Circus. Harris offered Ella a lucrative contract to join his circus as the star attraction. He gave her the stage name of the Camel Girl, and advertised her as the only one of her kind in the world.
Ella Harper traveled with the Nickel Plate Circus across the country, performing in front of thousands of spectators. She was often paired with a real camel, and invited to demonstrate her ability to walk on all fours. She also wore exotic costumes and jewelry, and posed for photographs and pitch cards. She was paid a weekly salary of $200, which was equivalent to $6,500 in 2022, according to All That’s Interesting. This was a huge amount of money for a young girl in the 19th century, and it allowed Ella to afford a comfortable lifestyle and save for her future.
What Did Ella Harper Do After Leaving the Circus?
Ella Harper did not intend to stay in the circus forever. She had other dreams and aspirations, such as going to school and finding another occupation. In 1886, after four years of working with the Nickel Plate Circus, she announced her retirement from the show business. She wrote on the back of her pitch card:
“I am called the camel girl because my knees turn backward. I can walk best on my hands and feet as you see me in the picture. I have traveled considerably in the show business for the past four years and now, this is 1886 and I intend to quit the show business and go to school and fit myself for another occupation.”
Ella Harper kept her word and enrolled in the Ward Seminary, a prestigious school for girls in Nashville, Tennessee. She studied hard and excelled in her classes. She also developed a love for music and learned to play the piano. She made friends and enjoyed a normal life away from the circus.
In 1905, Ella Harper married Robert L. Savely, a schoolteacher and a widower with two children. The couple moved to a house in Nashville, and adopted a baby girl named Mabel. Unfortunately, their happiness was short-lived, as Mabel died at only six months old. The couple then adopted another baby, but he also died after 18 days. Ella and Robert never had any biological children of their own.
How Did Ella Harper Die?
Ella Harper lived a quiet and modest life with her husband in Nashville. She worked as a housekeeper and a seamstress, and was active in her church and community. She was well-liked and respected by her neighbors and friends. She did not seek fame or fortune, and did not talk much about her past as a circus performer.
In 1921, Ella Harper was diagnosed with colon cancer, a deadly disease that had no effective treatment at the time. She suffered for several months, and died on December 19, 1921, at 8:15 in the morning, at her home. She was 51 years old. She was buried in the Spring Hill Cemetery in Nashville, next to her husband, who had died a year earlier.
Ella Harper’s grave was marked with a simple stone that read: “Ella Harper Savely, wife of R.L. Savely, 1870-1921.” There was no mention of her stage name or her condition. She was remembered as a loving wife, a devoted mother, and a faithful Christian.
Why Is Ella Harper’s Story Important?
Ella Harper’s story is important because it shows the strength and dignity of a woman who faced extraordinary challenges and opportunities in her life. She was born with a rare and remarkable condition that made her different from others, but also gave her a chance to become a star. She used her talent and charisma to entertain and amaze audiences, and earned a fortune that enabled her to pursue her education and dreams. She also had a compassionate and generous heart, and adopted two children who needed a home.
Ella Harper did not let her deformity limit her or define her. She did not let the cruel and ignorant comments of some people affect her self-esteem or happiness. She did not let the fame and fortune of the circus corrupt her or distract her from her values and goals. She lived a life of courage and resilience, and left a legacy of inspiration and hope. She was a human marvel, not only because of her physical appearance, but also because of her character and spirit.
