Josephine Myrtle Corbin, born on May 12, 1868 and passing away on May 6, 1928, was an extraordinary American sideshow performer who possessed a rare condition known as dipygus. This condition manifested as two separate pelvises positioned side by side from her waist down, resulting from the splitting of her body axis during development. Each of her smaller inner legs corresponded to one of her outer legs. While she had the ability to move her inner legs, they lacked the strength required for walking.

Hailing from Lincoln County, Tennessee, Corbin was the daughter of William H. Corbin, 25 years old at the time of her birth, and Nancy Corbin (née Sullins), 34 years old. Physicians who examined the newborn shortly after her arrival noted a striking resemblance between her parents. Both William and Nancy had auburn hair, blue eyes, and fair complexions, prompting the physicians to clarify that they were not biologically related. The Corbin family included four children in total, including one from Nancy’s previous marriage.

Myrtle’s birth itself did not present any peculiarities or complications, as confirmed by her mother. Medical experts who assessed the infant shortly after her delivery remarked that a breech presentation would have posed a serious risk to both the baby and her mother. Demonstrating her resilience, Corbin quickly exhibited signs of a robust child, weighing a healthy 10 pounds (4.5 kilograms) just three weeks after her birth. A journal published later that year noted her thriving well and nursing healthily.

At the age of 13, Corbin ventured into the world of sideshow entertainment, adopting the moniker “Four-Legged Girl from Texas.” Her early promotional materials portrayed her as a gentle and cheerful soul, comparable to the warmth of summer sunshine and the joy of a never-ending day. [4] Such was her popularity in the industry that other showmen began exhibiting fraudulent performances featuring counterfeit four-legged individuals. As a result, when Corbin retired from performing, audiences were presented with several phony four-legged women as substitutes.

When she was 19 years old, Corbin married James Clinton Bicknell, and together they had four daughters and a son.

In the spring of 1887, about a year after her marriage, Corbin experienced discomfort in her left side, along with fever, headache, and a decreased appetite. Dr. Lewis Whaley from Blountsville, Alabama, was summoned to attend to her, and it was during this time that her pregnancy was discovered. She had been experiencing persistent vomiting and amenorrhea for two months. Dr. Whaley documented her case in the Atlanta Medical and Surgical Journal, leading to renewed interest in Myrtle, now referred to as ‘Mrs. B,’ throughout the late 1880s in medical journals.

During the examination, Dr. Whaley made a remarkable discovery regarding Corbin’s unique anatomy. He found that the duplication of her external sexual organs was mirrored internally as well. Whaley determined that her left uterus was the site of her pregnancy. When Corbin was informed of her pregnancy, she expressed disbelief, stating, “If it had been in my right side, I would come nearer believing you are correct.” This comment led physicians to conclude that Corbin had a preference for intercourse on her right side, a detail that was mentioned in subsequent reports. Despite the pregnancy being located in her left uterus, Corbin’s recovery was complicated, and after consulting with fellow doctors, Whaley decided to perform an abortion approximately eight weeks after her initial examination. At that time, she was estimated to be between three and four months pregnant. Thankfully, Corbin made a full recovery, and the procedure, as well as her unique anatomy, did not hinder her ability to successfully carry subsequent pregnancies to full term. Medical journals in the United States and around the world refocused their attention on the now mature Corbin, providing details about her personality. Descriptions portrayed her as an attractive woman with a well-kept physical appearance who diligently attended to her household duties. She was recognized as being highly intelligent and possessing a refined taste in music.

On May 6, 1928, Corbin passed away in Cleburne, Texas. To protect her remains from grave robbers, her casket was encased in concrete, and family members stood guard until it fully solidified. Numerous medical practitioners and private collectors expressed interest in acquiring her corpse and offered financial compensation for it.