I was born December 18, 1904 of normal parents, being one of a family of six children, four sisters and one brother; all of whom are normal except myself.

Where I was born my condition was of such a nature as to cause the local physicians to summon specialists from various points of the world to study my case.  After thorough study and experimentation, they were so completely baffled that they made the announcement that I was a Scientific Mystery.  However, they did proclaim me the Alligator Boy.

My condition is really the result of my mother being frightened by an alligator about six months prior to my birth.  I am now and I have always been absolutely normal, with the exception of the alligator skin characteristics.  The findings of numerous clinics of which I have been a subject, have established the fact that my sexual organs are the same as any normal man.

I have appeared before the greatest doctors in America and Europe.  In this country I have been under study of Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn.: Johns Hopkins, at Baltimore Md.; by leading specialists in Chicago and others too numerous to mention.  My skin has been subjected to microscopic tests, my blood was tested for all kinds of prenatal impurities, and the result has always been negative, my blood being normal as any healthy man's and it is impossible for me to transmit my condition to any other person, either by direct contact or otherwise, I have perfect health, and the prenatal theory is borne out conclusively from the fact that I shed my skin every spring and fall, the same as any member of the Reptilian family.  Though it does not shed all at one time, my body never gets smooth at any time.  I have no sweat glands or oil glands, the oil and moisture my body gets is what I place there myself, winter time twice daily, and summer once a day.  The heat bothers me at times and I have to use ice water to get relief from heat, though otherwise my condition doesn't worry me.

Today, doctors say there is no such things as birth-marks, yet no one has told me so far why I was born in this condition if there isn't.  God in his infinite wisdom has seen fit to create me in this pitiful condition; He must have had a reason and I never question His work, I believe that I have in my humble way contributed to the scientific would a solution to the much mooted question as to the truth of parental influence.  I extend an invitation to all doctors nurse and to the scientific world to examine me at any time or at their pleasure.

I've been traveling for twenty years on public exhibition.  Some doctors believe in birth-marks; others do not.  But may I impress  on every prospective mother to take the safe course and exercise the utmost care during the vitally delicate period (the first four months of pregnancy).  This surely can do no harm, and may result in much good.  If the exhibition of my body and the recital of the incident responsible for my condition impresses the lesson of care and caution upon the future mothers and fathers of our land I shall feel more than repaid for all inconveniences suffered while giving exhibitions.  There are lots of questions that every adult wants and you should know, so I am writing the questions and their answers down, plain, not to be immoral but to tell the truth.

Q.  Why aren't your face and hands covered like your body?

A.  My face and hands have never been like my body; the scale isn't thick and doesn't turn dark of color.  Some believe it is caused from being exposed to air and sun.  But such is not the case; sun and air are what make my body dark and heavy but do not change my face and hands.

Q.  Are your eyes weak and would glasses help?

A.  I have always been near-sighted; to wear glasses gives me rather bad headaches.  When I was about fifteen years old I have cataracts on both eyes, blind in my right eye and could see very little out of my left.  At the age of twenty-four, had them removed, and as you can see it was a success; my eyes don't bother me at all, thought many think the do.

Q.  Does your skin draw, do you feel normal?

A.  If I did not oil my skin it would draw.  I can only say I do feel normal; you see, this is the only skin I ever knew and it doesn't even worry me in mind, to feel sorry for yourself is very bad-always look for the bright side; of course, one has to include the dark side.  but the burden can be made much lighter if you choose to make it so.

Q.  Do you enjoy life, go to parties, dances, and what kind of sports are you must fond of?

A.  Yes, I do enjoy life to a certain extent.  I feel at home most anywhere, I am a fair dancer, can swim very good; in fact in the water I feel at home it is one active sport I can take part in.  Hunting and fishing are my favorite pastimes when I can.  Although I take in most of the good pictures and like music.

Q.  Are you happy?

A. That is a question half the world would find hard to answer and tell the truth.  It seems one is never really satisfied I like my work, as it takes me places; I can truly say I am contented.  Though, as every normal person, I have my blue days.

Q.  What are you most interested in and what is your hobby?

A.  Science and good books.  I read all kinds of books and not only enjoy them but learn a great deal.  Also fond of good mystery novels.

Q.  Does the scaly skin really cover your entire body?

A.  Yes, it does cover the entire body.  Some places not as thick as others.

Q.  Do you shave?

A.  Yes, I shave every day and many wonder why I have such a good head of hair.  Though I have always had good hair my scalp is real thick like my body.  Hair grows on privates, but not on arms, legs or chest.

Q.  Are you married or single?  And do you have sexual desires as normal men?

A.  I am not married, though I do get lonely at times, my sexual desires are as normal as any healthy man- as you readers know, sex is the foundation of happiness.  That part of normal life I have very little experience in person.  I am broad-minded and know that girls or women look on me with horror when it comes to sex.  I don't blame them.  I seem to be a success socially.  Remember, pleasure that you can buy is not real pleasure and does more harm than good; that kind of pleasure I don't really want.  I now that somewhere I will find a mate who will understand and love me as I am.  So you see there is a romantic side to every one, even the alligator boy.

Q.  Should you marry and be a father of children, would they be like you?

A.  Doctors say that my condition would not interfere with my being a father of normal children, as my reproducing glands are normal.  My condition is just of skin.

Q.  What is your height and weight?

A.  I stand 5 feet 101/2 inches.  My normal weight is around 155 to 165 pounds.  I eat normal and rest well, nothing I eat bothers me at all.  I do enjoy good health and hope I do always.

Q.  Is it true that you only have a short time to live?

A.  At the age of 13, I stood 5 feet 8 inches in height. MY weight was 70 pounds.  At that time doctors gave me two years to live.  At the age of 19 I was enjoying the best of health, weighing 169 pounds, height 5 feet 10 inches.  In the fall of 1938, 38 doctores said I had a short time to live but i feel good and don't believe all I hear.  have hopes of living to be an ole amn-only thing that bothers me is heat.

I truly hope that my questions and answeres have met with your approval, as they are only extended as an educational feature to my exhibiton.  I believe that if you real facts were heeded more the human race would be better off.

I was born and still remain a mystery to science.  If you have enjoyed my part of the show tell your friends, send them and come again.  Ithank you.

Sincerely,

ALLIGATOR BOY

BENJAMIN G. GREEN

Billboard Pub. Co.

Cincinnati, Ohio