The Mystery of James Morris

Unusual As Usual

James Morris was born in 1859 in Copenhagen, New York. From an early age he learned that he was unique, he would amuse his friends with his ability to stretch his skin like that of an elastic band, before letting go and it snapping straight back to its original form - caused by a condition called Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome.

He was hired by Jacob Edwin Sackett to perform in his Rhode Island dime museum, before eventually touring throughout North America and Europe with The Barnum and Bailey Circus billed as ‘The Rubber Skin Man’.

By 1885, aged 26, it was rumoured that he had become addicted to drinking and gambling, and as a result he had to continue performing long after what would have been considered a respectable retirement age. The elastic skin man mysteriously faded into obscurity sometime after July 1898.

✅ Let's connect:

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/unusualweekly​

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/unusualweekly​

Twitter - https://www.twitter.com/unusualweekly​

YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/unusualasusual​

Fact Analysis: Although careful research is implemented to assure accurate and correct information, sometimes it can be difficult to separate fact from fiction (or ‘humbug', as P.T. Barnum would say). If you find any information in this podcast inaccurate, please do let me know via social media.