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Updated: June 15, 2025
"Why, what's the matter, Ben Turton?" asked Joe, as he placed his hand on the shoulder of the "human fish," as Ben was known; for he did a diving act in a large glass tank filled with water, staying under about three minutes without breathing, and performing some tricks in the limpid depths. "Oh, I don't know, Joe, what the matter is," Ben said. "I guess I'm just tired." "What!
Talfo, the professional "fat lady," Señorita Tanzalo, the pretty snake charmer, and Tom Jefferson, the "strong man." Joe loved them all. The circus was like one big family, with, as might be expected, a "black sheep" here and there. Joe became an expert on the trapeze, and, later, when Benny Turton was temporarily in a hospital, Joe "took on" the tank trick.
And with this fire held over him, he ran toward the tank in which Benny Turton did his "human fish" act. The next instant Joe Strong, apparently ablaze all over, dived into the tank. Which was the more surprised Benny Turton, who had just finished his fish act in his tank, the spellbound audience, or Jim Tracy, who was, in a way, directing Joe's performance it would be hard to say.
But though Joe had written to England he had, as yet, received no encouraging word as to any inheritance that might come to him through his mother. Joe is now beginning his second season with the Sampson Brothers' Circus, and the opening performance was marked by the accident which happened to Benny Turton.
Turton was writing his book on British shells at Bideford, to call them Nautili, because their shells were like Nautilus shells. Men did not know then that the animal which lives in them is no more like a Nautilus animal than it is like a cow.
During this period, he changed his plan of life, and in September, 1859, he was ordained Deacon by Bishop Lonsdale of Lichfield, on Letters Dimissory from Bishop Turton of Ely. His title was his Fellowship; but it was settled that the College should present him to the Vicarage of Great St. Mary's, Cambridge; and till it was vacant he was to have worked as a classical tutor in Trinity.
"Say, it's too bad, Ben. Maybe if you were to speak to Jim Tracy " "No. I won't do that, Joe. Never mind about me. There's your call." "So it is. I'll see you again. Come on, Sid Tonzo!" Joe clasped hands with his two fellow trapezists, and together they ran lightly out to the ring. Benny Turton followed more slowly. He was to begin his act in a few minutes.
But I wish to state that staying under water even three minutes is a feat of no mean ability. We do not say that no one else can do it, though we have a standing offer of a thousand dollars to any one who will duplicate the feat of Mr. Turton, and remain under four minutes. But under the circumstances that offer is withdrawn.
"Ranaway, my mulatto boy Cy, has but one hand, all the fingers of his right hand were burnt off when young." J.A. Brown, jailer, Orangeburg, South Carolina, in the "Charleston Mercury," July 18, 1838. "Was committed to jail, a negro named Bob, appears to be crippled in the right leg." S.B. Turton, jailer, Adams Co. Miss. in the "Natchez Courier," Sept. 29, 1838.
On one occasion; however, by some unlucky chance, tidings of his successes reached the ears of the royal gamekeeper, who formed a plan by which to entrap him; and so nearly were they pouncing upon Turton that he was obliged to take to his heels and fly, carrying with him a hare which he had caught.
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