10 Freaks That Inspired The New American Horror Story

4. Four Legged Woman

Spotted in the American Horror Story trailer Head to Toe and Trapeze is the three-legged woman, but the multi-legged woman was a real sideshow attraction. Myrtle Corbin is likely the most famous of the multi-limbed performers. Born in Tennessee in 1868, Myrtle suffered from dipygus, which refers to having a duplicated pelvis and legs. Myrtle had a pair of outer legs and a pair of inner legs, which were significantly smaller than the others. Each small leg was paired with the larger leg on the outside. Because of this disparity she rarely used her inner legs. She also had two pelvises and two sets of reproductive organs. She entered the sideshow business at 13 years and was marketed as a kind, happy and gentle person, but her father had been showing her off to curious neighbours since infancy. She became exceedingly popular and spawned four legged phonies, particularly after she was no longer performing. Myrtle went on to get married and have five children, some born from one side and some from the other. After years out of the limelight, Myrtle returned to show business as a true wonder of human development.