“Last night, a few minutes after midnight, in a modest little frame house at 187 Cornelia Street, Barnum & Bailey’s bearded lady died. Known in public life as “America’s World Wonder� until a few months ago, her real name, Mrs. William Donovan, has at last become known by her death. She lies dead, unmourned except by her widowed mother.

“Perhaps no one of the freaks that have traveled with “The Greatest Show on Earth� has been with it so constantly as Mrs. Donovan. It might be well said she spent her entire life in its service. Born in Smith County, Virginia, On July 14, 1863, she was only nine months old when she entered upon her career as “America’s World Wonder,� so early in her infancy was the hirsute growth apparent on her baby face. “Mr. Barnum gave her an immediate engagement on seeing her and for some time she was on exhibition at the old museum at Grand Street and Broadway, Manhattan. Mrs. Pogue, her mother, remained with her daughter constantly during this first period of her show life. As she grew older, however, Mrs. Pogue’s large family of 12 children demanded her attention, and the child was left to herself.

“When she was three years old she started travelling with the show, and in the course of her 37 years of life she visited every civilized country in the world and went as far as Japan. She had developed a heavy black beard and mustache.

“In 1880 a barker of the show proposed marriage to her and she accepted him, the couple being married unbeknown to their parents. Being only 15 at the time of her marriage, it was necessary for her husband, Richard Elliot, to misstate her age, and this and several circumstance turned hr family against the match. It was not a happy one for her either, as events turned out, and in 1895 she procured a divorce in St. Louis and immediately married a second time. This second husband was William Donovan, a wardrobe man. He died two years ago of consumption, the disease that was later to bring her to her grave.

“While she was at the height of her professional career, her father died and one by one she lost her brothers and sisters by death until of the original twelve but two remained. During this period of trial for her mother, she became her mother's sole support, which duty she performed faithfully until she contracted her fatal illness.

“She last appeared in Nimes, France, where the show was touring the continent. Shortly after this she entered a French hospital and was under medical care for six months. She then rejoined the circus in March, 1902, but broke down and came home to die on the 13th of May. Since then she had been at the home of her mother.

“During her show tours she visited France, Russia, Germany, Italy and England. In the latter place she appeared before Queen Victoria. In Germany she appeared before the old Emperor William. She was the recipient of many decorations, if the medals which her fond mother exhibits count for anything. Beside these she had a collection of valuable souvenir spoons, which admiring citizens of showtowns donated to her.�

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