MEMPHIS, MO --
This week’s lesson in Heartland History features the life of Ella Ewing, a giantess born and raised near Gorin, Missouri.
She was born in 1872 to Ben and Annie Ewing, and died in 1913.
Her childhood was traced by Memphis resident Bette Wiley, who wrote about Ewing's life in Our Miss Ella.Wiley discovered the history when she came across three journals written by Ella's mother in a box of junk bought at a household sale.
“She had written in pencil almost everyday from the time that child was born and so I was able, it took me three years, but I was able to trace Ella's childhood almost from birth,” Wiley said.
Ella was a normal child until age five or six, when her arms and legs started growing at an abnormal rate. By age 14, she was over six feet tall.
“There wasn't a pair of shoes or overalls anywhere that she could wear. Of course she had always worn dresses until Annie couldn't keep them made fast enough,” Wiley said.
After an internal struggle, Ella decided to exhibit herself at the Chicago Museum in order to make her own money. She spent the next 20 years traveling around the country, and worked for the Ringling Brothers Circus.
“She took it and after she became aware of the fact that people who stared at her were ignorant of the fact that she was as normal as they were inwardly, her soul was as happy and sweet and God fearing and God loving,” Wiley said.
Ella used the money to build a house that would fit her size.
She was 40 years, 10 months, and one day old when she died.
Her funeral arrangements were taken care of by Gerth-Baskett Funeral Home.
Her eternal resting place is with her parents at the Harmony Grove Church Cemetery near Gorin.
Many of Ella's belongings, like her nine foot long bed and 24 inch shoe can be found at the Downing House Museum in Memphis, Missouri.
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