Professor Hamilton's Diary: Feb. 13, 1935

He falls ill while babysitting; 'Fattest Lady' dies in Reading

Professor Hamilton came home after his afternoon classes today to look after his youngest daughter, Mary Elizabeth, while his wife and daughter Gwennie went to their music classes. About 4 p.m. he came down with a stomach bug, which hit the baby at midnight. “We thought it was caused by food in both cases?” he wrote uncertainly.

Yesterday I wrote about the famous composer and conductor John Philip Sousa dying at a Reading hotel in 1932. Today I will share the story of Jolly Ethel, who succumbed while performing at a freak show there, which was a front-page story in the Reading Times. The picture of Jolly Ethel at age 19 was posted on Pinterest.

Paid subscribers can read on about this beloved performer, who toured the country for decades and appeared in three movies. Upgrade to paid for just 16 cents a day.