New-York tribune., 1912-04-07
MAKING OF A HUMAN EEL
Bow Acrobat Showed His Mettle
at the Age of Three.
MOTHER HIS INSTRUCTOR
contortionist's Pride Is That His
Great Grandfather Was
Queens Private Guard.

circus acrobats are as proud Of their
GRANDPARENTS as if they had always known
social prominence in Boston or Philadel-
phia
Perhaps YOU have gasped at the seemingly
insane Indifference TO peril exhibited by
the champion boy acrobat of the world
a. the circus in Madison Square Garden.
You would think that chap with his
physical versatility might turn conver-
sationa handspring in which he would
make himself the hero Of the story. To
SOC him twist and soar through the air like
q Gnome-engined Wright, always lighting
on his Not-a-senles the bully bouncing boy
with the glass eye, the admiring gaze Of the
multitude on him, YOU would imagine,
wouldn't you, that if you asked him how
he did it he would talk of something else
than his great-grandfather?
And yet YOU rather like it in him. If he
hadn't had a grandfather he might
not now be thrilling spectators to within an
inch Of their capacity 10 feel. Having had
such capable grandfather, perhaps the
bows agility and fearleSsness should be
taken for granted
But il is impossible not to call him
narvel-impulsively and with lervor--when
you see his performance, and any credit
that may he due an earlier generation will
como a- "a less emotional after thought
Eugene Dekoe is this boys name. and he
was born in Brussels sixteen years ago.
His grandfather, he told the Tribune
nan. was chosen from the circus tents by
Queen Victoria TO act as her personal body
guard. His grandfather and ali Of his six
count them-uncles won distinction in
circus circles and showmen declare his
mother and father have no superors in
acrobat.c achievements under the white
tops"
IN THE -FOUR HIGH" FEAT.
one Of the most spectacular as we'll as
difficult moments in the life Of Eugene is
when he assists in what is technically
known as -four high in Madison Square
Garden. The energetic and courageous
woman on whose shoulders he stands in
such a nonchalaut fashion is his mother.
Eugene is the topmost figure perched near
~ eighteen feet aloft His mother is said
to Dee the only woman who has ever sue
oessfuIIy participated in -four high lie
takes no credit 70 himself although his part
in the act requires nerve and SKIN and
sense OF Ddldlli lfN DllN lldl h'llttlll'A''' ~
is said. Of any other boy of the circus.
His mother is proud enough Of him 20
make your eyes water when she tells YOU
how she trained him. and how apt he was
and how he offers his parents the most
helpful suggestions to better their act.
Eugene was born in a circus wagon, IKE
those Of his blood before him. said his
mother He was my first and only child.
l resolved that if love and labor could ac-
convlish it I would instruct him so that he
would add lustre to his name
The circus that Eugene, in manner of
sueaklng, was born in was French en-
terprise Of the one-ring species. Hardship
and health were two chief features Of the
life. The well known rain and shine. neat
and cold and the equally Intermittent mud
and dust, hill and vale. were experienced
10y all the performers, who by nature were
a buoyant lot--a good disposition for a"
aeriaIist 10 possess they say.
How did YOU manage when Eugene wax
q baty?" Mrs DekOe was asked. DID
you have 10 quit the circus"
The women in the dressing room were
crazy 20 care for him. she replied, while
I rode through towns in the street parades
or while / was appearing in the ring. W.eA
be was oh enough 20 wear short dresses
! used 20 put IL rope around his waist and
fasten him TO the centre pole OF the tent
and he would play on the sod, where there
was no danger Of his getting hurt.
Did he show Hc was a born acrobat at
an early age" she was asked
Before he was four years old I knew
he would be all that I had dreamed for
him she replied. "IIe would watch the