"The girl a few years ago was thought to be a little daft and was confined to the Flatnush Asylum for the insane." (Image by Lewis Hine.)

The August 22, 1886 Brooklyn Daily Eagle carried an odd item about a strange girl who earned a living repairing barbershop supplies. An excerpt:

“‘Nothing today,’ said a Fulton street barber to a fantastically dressed young girl carrying a valise and a parasol, much worse for the wear. An Eagle reporter who was present was curious and inquired the meaning of the tonsorial artist’s words. He said: ‘The girl who was just here makes a living by renovating barbers’ brushes. She takes the brushes when the bristles are about ready to drop out and makes them into new ones. Sometimes she also puts on new backs and inserts new bristles, and straightens those which have become bent. A good  barber’s brush when new costs $1.50. After a brush leaves the little workwoman’s hands it is as good as new. She charges but 50 cents for her work, and it is well worth that sum. ‘There is a history connected with that girl,’ continued the barber, neatly curling the reporter’s mustache and covering the face with magnesia. ‘She is the daughter of formerly wealthy Brooklyn parents who have become reduced.’

‘The girl a few years ago was thought to be a little daft and was confined to the Flatnush Asylum for the insane. She escaped from the institution and went to Newark, N.J., where she was employed in a brush factory. During the dull months she makes a living by repairing barbers’ brushes. In many ways the girl is a great curiosity and would make a great drawing card for a dime museum. She is able to turn her feet in any direction, which would be an improbability for you or I to attempt. This girl, it must be considered, has enjoyed the gift from birth, owing to the tendons of her feet being broken.  I guess she makes a good living at her trade,’ said the barber in conclusion, jerking the apron off the reporter’s neck and crying, ‘Next!'”

••••••••••

Edison film of an 1894 barber shop: