MAY 1883: “Millie-Christine, the famous two-headed lady, will be here shortly with Doris Great Inter-Ocean Show. She is the eighth wonder of the world, a living, breathing, intelligent, talking, singing and dancing woman; having two heads, four arms, four lower limbs and only one body,” read the description of the upcoming show in The Era in 1883.
“For the past ten years she has been the wonder and delight of Europe; and returned to her native America intending to retire from before the public, having accumulated a handsome fortune.
“But Mr. Doris, an indefatigable man in every effort, determined to have this greatest of all curiosities, nature’s most fanciful creation, and when she thought to stop all attempts at negotiations with her demanded $25,000 for the season, he surprised and secured her by simply filling in the amount in the blank contract and asking for her signature, which he got. Her daily levees and receptions are held in the great show afternoon and evening, where she converses in all the European tongues and sings a number of selections. One head a very sweet, clear, high soprano voice, while the other is a rich sympathetic contralto, and as might be expected, the two voices coming from one body blend together and in the most perfect harmony always.”
The story was clear that Millie-Christine was not a sideshow.
“She is worth going a hundred miles to see at any time and as this is the last season she will travel, it will be the only opportunity the people of this city will ever have of seeing this greatest wonder in all the world. The Great Inter-Ocean, largest and best show on earth, will exhibit here on May 22nd.”
The next day’s story lamented the rainy weather, but noted “Discomfort was forgotten, however, when the procession floundered gaily round the ring, the clowns waded in and cracked the damp air with their hilarity, the athletes tackled the ladders, the two-heard girl dispensed a double-barrelled smile upon the steaming throng … and everyone enjoyed a very good show given the most inauspicious circumstances.”
