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The Daily Alaska Empire
Juneau, Juneau County, Alaska
What is this article about?
A snake-charmer known as Elsie the Cobra Woman, who performed at Long Beach's Pike amusement area, was revealed to be a man named Nadir after dying from a rattlesnake bite. The autopsy by Dr. J. L. Robinson confirmed this; he had a history of freak show acts and a long-term marriage to a man.
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ELSIE UNMASKED;
REVEALED AS MAN
LONG BEACH, Calif., April 16.-
A snake-charmer who as Elsie the
Cobra Woman thrilled thousands of
visitors to Long Beach's Pike, was
unmasked today as a man.
Dr. J. L. Robinson, Assistant
County Autopsy Surgeon, said he
made the discovery in a post-mortem
into the entertainer's death from
rattlesnake bite.
Detective-Inspector B. C. Carstensen
said Alexander Marks, a shipyard
worker, told him he was Elsie's
third "husband." They were married
18 years ago in San Francisco.
He added, the detective said, that
Elsie's family name was Nadir. He
was born 58 years ago in India,
first appeared in traveling shows
as a dog-faced boy, then a monkey-man,
and finally as a bearded lady.
Elsie died Sunday of the effects
of a 7-foot diamond-head rattler's
bite Saturday night during the show
on the Pike-a miniature Coney Island.
Police said Elsie, 6 foot 3 inches
tall, weighing 295 pounds, would be
buried as "John Doe Nadir," but, of
necessity, in feminine clothing.
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Location
Long Beach, Calif., The Pike
Event Date
April 16
Story Details
Snake-charmer Elsie the Cobra Woman, who thrilled visitors at Long Beach's Pike, was unmasked as a man during autopsy after death from rattlesnake bite. Born in India as Nadir, he performed as dog-faced boy, monkey-man, and bearded lady, and was married to Alexander Marks 18 years ago in San Francisco.