The Portland daily press., 1896-08-29
MIssouRPs BIG GlANTEss.
Ella Ewing, of Scotland County, Stands
Over Eight Feet Tall.
(St. Louis Dispatch.


or Scotland county's rural population
none are more widely known or looked
up to than Miss Ella Ewing, and why
should not the average mortal look up
to herg Her legal presence covers feet
inches of the perpendicular. She was
born In Lewis county, near La Grange,
March, 1879. The family moved to Scot
land county shortly afterward, settling
near the picturesque banks of the Fabi-
US, four miles from where CORN now
stands, this being the postoffice at which
the family receives their mail.
Her parents little thought as they
plodded back and forth over the county
roads TO Fairmont, then the market
town, that their daughter would develop
into suoh prodigy. She herself as she
fearlessly travelled the bridle-paths of the
forest on horseback thought not Of fu-
ture, but oontented herself with the flow
ers by the wayside. 1t was first force d
upon the attention of her parents and
friends that she was growing faster than
other children when she entered the dis
trict school and came in contact with the
neigh boring boys and girls of her age.
AS time went on her height increased
with wonderful rapidity, and being of a
difident, retiring disposition, she shrank
from the notoriety her increase of stature
brought, and from her eighth to her ssv-
entesnth year she remained In the seclu-
sion of her country nome.
1t was after much persuasion on the
part of friends that she consented to ex-
hibit herself for profit. the first venture
being around neighboring fairs, Ke-
kuk, Warsaw and Quincy, under the
management of ex-Judge Ruford, of this
county, and Postmaster Hewitt, OF Way
oonda. In 1890, although previous to this
she had taken the role of Goddess of Lib
erty in local Fourth of July celebration,
with such success rs to draw thousand s
from adjoining counties. This first trip
was not profitable from pecuniary point
OF view, but abe succeeded in becoming
known to those who cater to the amuse-
ment-loving public, and since has been
besieged by callers and letters offering
engagements to travel for exhibition, but
she Ia very select in her choice, and of
late has not Travelled much. AT present
she is at Cincinnati. sz
Miss Ewing is Of pleasant appearance
and agreeable disposition, and is con-
versationaiist of no mean power. Dur
Ing those intervals between her various
tours in her pleasing way shs relates
many amusing incidents of her stay in
the larger oiti es and that privileged cir
Gle tina are fortunate enough to know
her in her home remember and cherish
the stories that fall from her lips.
Her parents, while a little above the
average height, are not exceptionally
tall, her father. Mr. Benjamin F. Ew-
ing. being trlfie over six feet, and her
mother five feet five inches. They are
very fond of Ella, their only child, and
have lavished world of care upon her.
One or both of them accompany her on
all her trips. They have guided her
health through all the maladies of child
hood with tender care, Watching 18th
deep soltcitude her marvellous growth
Last summer while preparing to mount
Of the animal threw her heavily to the
ground, dislooating her ankle joint.
This accident confined herato her home
for two months, and the many and con-
stant inquiries about her by all the coun-
try side attest the esteem and regard of
the people.
When Miss Ewing ia seated not one in
Thousand would notice her more than
others, thinking only that she was rather
large woman. 1t is swhen she arises
that establishment is pictured on every
face; even those who have seen her doz-
ems of times think she looks taller each
time.
She is two inches taller than Chang,
the Chinese giant. Her measurements
are: Height. feet Q inches; weight,
260 pounds; bust measure, 40 inches;
waist measure, IS inches; skirt measure.
SO inches; length of arm, 81 inches. 1t
takes 20 yards of 56-inoh goods to make
her an ordinary street dress, and some of
her stage costumes have twice this
amount of material in them; size of
shoes, 90; they are made to order by a
st. Louis firm. She is as modest and
unassming as the daisies of her native
dales and dells. Scotland county people
are Justly proud of her.