The Wild Men of Borneo facts for kids
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The Wild Men of Borneo were a famous sideshow act. They were two brothers, Hiram and Barney Davis, who were very small in size. Hiram was born in England in 1825, and his brother Barney was born in Long Island, New York State, in 1827.
Who Were Hiram and Barney?
Hiram and Barney were both about 42 inches (107 cm) tall and weighed around 40 pounds (18 kg). While they had some learning difficulties, they were known for being very strong. In 1852, a showman named Lyman Warner discovered them. He bought them from their mother, who was a widow.
Warner gave them the stage names Waino and Plutano. The brothers were very good at playing their parts as "Wild Men." They would speak in sounds that didn't make sense, lift men from the audience, or even wrestle to show off their muscles. They also recited poems they had learned. When Lyman Warner passed away in 1871, his son Hanford took over managing the brothers.
Becoming World Famous
In 1880, the famous showman P. T. Barnum began to manage Waino and Plutano. Under Barnum's guidance, the Wild Men of Borneo became one of the most well-known sideshow acts in the entire world. They earned a lot of money, making about $200,000 during their careers.
In 1893, a small book called What We Know About Waino and Plutano, Wild Men of Borneo was used to promote them. This book described their "capture" in 1848 and made them seem like wild, uncivilized people from a far-off land.
Later Life
The brothers' time as sideshow performers ended in 1903 when Hiram became sick. They moved to Massachusetts. Hiram passed away in 1905, and Barney died in 1912. Both brothers are buried in Mount Vernon, Ohio.
Images for kids
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Waino and Plutanor circa 1870s
See also
In Spanish: Waino y Plutanor para niños
