Isaac Sprague facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Isaac W. Sprague
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Sprague in 1867
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| Born | May 21, 1841 East Bridgewater, Massachusetts, United States
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| Died | January 5, 1887 (aged 45–46) |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Sideshow attraction |
| Employer | P. T. Barnum |
| Height | 66 in (168 cm) (in 1885) |
| Spouse(s) | Tamar Moore |
| Children | Three sons |
| Parent(s) | Nathaniel and Betsey Sprague |
Isaac W. Sprague (born May 21, 1841 – died January 5, 1887) was an American sideshow performer. He was known by his stage name "The Skeleton Man." People also called him "The Living Skeleton" or "The Original Thin Man."
Isaac was born in Massachusetts. When he was a teenager, he started losing weight very quickly. Doctors were confused because they didn't know why this was happening.
In 1865, he joined a sideshow, which was a type of entertainment show. Later, in 1868, he got a job at P. T. Barnum's famous American Museum in New York City. Isaac got married and had three healthy sons. He passed away in Chicago, Illinois in 1887.
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Isaac Sprague's Early Life
Isaac W. Sprague was born in East Bridgewater, Massachusetts. His father, Nathaniel Sprague, was a shoemaker, and his mother was Betsey Sprague. Isaac was a normal child and loved to swim.
When he was 12 years old, he began to lose weight very fast. Even though he ate a lot and had a healthy appetite, he kept getting thinner. Isaac thought his swimming might be causing the weight loss, but doctors couldn't figure out the real reason.
Becoming a Sideshow Performer
As Isaac lost more weight, he became weaker. He first worked in his father's shoemaking business. Later, he helped in his father's grocery store. After his parents died, Isaac was too weak to continue working. He had to leave his job.
In 1865, a traveling sideshow came to his town. They offered him a job. At first, he said no, but then he changed his mind and joined the show. He performed as "The Living Skeleton" or "The Original Thin Man."
He then moved to New York City. There, he got a job at P. T. Barnum's American Museum. He earned $80 a week, which was a lot of money back then! His job at the museum ended in 1868 when the building unfortunately burned down.
Later Years and Health
Isaac Sprague married a woman named Tamar Moore. They had three healthy sons together. After the museum fire, he continued to work with Barnum and other showmen.
When he was 44 years old, Isaac was five feet six inches tall. However, he weighed only 44 pounds. Doctors believed he had a condition called extreme muscular atrophy. This means his muscles had wasted away. Isaac W. Sprague died in Chicago, Illinois in 1887.
Images for kids
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Isaac W. Sprague in 1867, known as "The Living Skeleton."
See also
In Spanish: Isaac Sprague para niños
