The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1898-01-14

once more to the show business.
While making tour in a caravan he
caught a severe cold, which, settling
on the lungs, carried him off at the
early age of 43.
A foreign giant, who held receptions
in London, accompanied by wonder
full dwarf, General Tiny-Mite, was Col.
Chang, of Pekin, who at the age Of
thirty-fve measured eight feet six
inches, and weighed 500 pounds, or
over thirty-fve stone, while his little
partner measured only 10 inches, and
weighed four pounds and three-quar-
tiers. Chang was remarkably hand
some, and presented an imposing APP
pearance in his richly embroidered
white satin garments. He was man
OF culture and considerable refinement,
speaking, beside his native tongue, ia
panese, English, Spanish, German and
French. In spite of his gigantic pro-
portions, there was considerable grace
about his movements, while a certain
air of distinction added greatly to his
almost regal presence Like most
giants Of modern times, he died COM
paratively young, passing away at
Bournemouth in 1893 at the age of
4S.
A remarkable marriage took place in
the summer of the year 1871, when
Capt. Bates, "the Kentucky giant" es-
poused Miss Anna H. Swan, "the Nova
OIL Dot
tired feet, while his fair bride stood
nearly z feet II inches in her satin
shoes.
The gallant bridegroom had won his
spurs in the American civil war, in
which he had greatly distinguished
himself, being wounded several times
in various engagements. Both he md
his bride had been exhibited in Lon
don in the years 1869 and 1870, and it
was during this period that an affec-
ton sprang up between the two which
| eliminated in the marriage
Captain Bates was one of family
of giants, but Miss Swans parents
were, if anything, below the usual stat
ure.
1t was not likely that Barnum, the
prince of showmen, would miss the
chance of exhibiting a young lady
who at II years of age measured 6
feet, and like another giantess of later
times, was "still growing" Hence we
find her astonishing all New York till
| the burning down Of Barnum's estab-
lishment and the narrow escape of the
| fair Nova Scotian put an end for a
time to Miss Swans receptions.
| Possessed of considerable attractions
his some histrionic ability, we find
Miss Swan, soon after the disastrous
! fire, drawing large audiences to New
York theater to witness her imperson-
alton of Lady Macbeth. but she soon
returned to the show business, and
made a grand tour in America, subse-
quently visiting the principal cities of
the old world.
Plare aux danes! We have hither-
to, with two exceptions, made mention
only of famous male giants, reserying
to the last little portrait gallery Of
three celebrated giantesses, whose bio
graphical notices, having regard to the
amount of space at disposal, must nee
essarily be brief.
Some years ago there was exhibited
in Piccadilly young Swiss lady
named Catherine Boebner. At the age
OF % she measured feet 5 inches, and
came to England after tour in Eu-
rope. during which she was presented
at the courts of Russia and Germany
creating quite sensation by her beau
ty, which was greatly enhanced by the
picturesque costume in which she Up,
peared.