ARMLESS WONDER JOHN T. OWENS & WIFE GUITAR VIOLIN BANJO AUTOHARP CABINET PHOTO
Item History & Price
Reference Number: Avaluer:9740 | Photo Type: Cabinet Photo |
ANTIQUE CABINET CARD PHOTO FEATURING 'ARMLESS WONDER' JOHN T. OWENS AND HIS WIFE, TILLIE, ALONG WITH SEVERAL MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS. (See bottom of listing for biographical information.)
On back, at bottom: "John T. Owens - " According to a bit of research we did, this is likely the signature of Owens. He supposedly signed many of these photos and sometimes also drew a photo of a bird. This handwriting appears to be the same as the o...thers we saw online. Although, please note that we cannot guarantee it.
There is another name handwritten on the back, at top, which is perhaps the name of a previous owner.
SIZE. Approximately 5 5/8 x 4 1/4 inches.
CONDITION. Photo: Trimmed at bottom. Missing piece at lower left. Faded. Spots and marks. Crease from left to right, knee level. Mount: Trimmed at bottom. Wear at corners. Dark marks at right. Soiling on back.
APPEARANCE. Fair tones. Nice set up and composition.
JOHN T. OWENS. "One of twelve children, John Timothy Owens was born in Missouri in 1865 to Nicholas and Mary Ann (O'Keefe) Owens. By 1880, the Owens family had moved to Colorado and had settled in Fruita sometime before 1900. Despite having been born with no arms and having to use his feet for everything hands are normally used for, John could write as well as play the harmonica, fiddle, banjo, and guitar. He drove a team of horses, harnessed them, and could saddle a horse. He performed whip tricks and could shoot a rifle. He wore specially made kick-off shoes and toeless socks so he could quickly access his vital feet. In 1895, he married stage musician Matilda D. 'Tillie' Fry (1875-1931), with whom he had three children, in 1895, and together they toured with Wild West shows... When not touring, they lived together in Fruita for some time around the turn of the last century before moving with John’s parents to Kansas. John died while on tour in Oklahoma in 1918 and is buried in Hopewell Cemetery, DeKalb County, Missouri. Tillie was buried there with him when she died." (source: Historical Photos of Fruita & Western Colorado)