Emmett Blackwelder, the Turtle Man

Today is the birthday of Emmett Blackwelder (1923-1996). Born in North Carolina with limbs (all four of them) that stopped at the joint, the highlight of his act consisted of juggling with wooden paddleballs. He performed in Ward Hall’s and Chris Christ’s sideshows, invested wisely, and retired in 1984.

To find out more about the variety artspast and present, consult No Applause, Just Throw Money: The Book That Made Vaudeville Famous