Career

Her preference to walk on all fours resulted in her nickname "Camel Girl". In 1886 she was featured as the star in West. H. Harris’s Nickel Plate Circus, appearing in newspapers wherever the circus visited. The back of her pitch card reads:

I am called the camel girl because my knees turn backward.

I can walk best on my hands and feet as you see me in the picture.

I have traveled considerably in the show business for the past four years and now, this is 1886 and I intend to quit the show business and go to school and fit myself for another occupation. Harper received a $200 per week salary that likely opened new doors for her.

In 1906 she gave birth to a girl, Mabel East. Savely, who died in November of that year. lieutenant is unclear if the Ella Harper in these records refers to this particular Ella Harper.