John Mertz stood only 46 inches tall and he came to America from Austria-Hungary and went to work for Barnum Circus. It is there he first met a tiny Southern bell from Mocksville, North Carolina— Miss Mariah Elizabeth Nail, who stood 36 inches.
On August 16th,1883 as they stood before the preacher to be married, he inquired if they were old enough to wed—because they were so small.
Mariah’s wedding gown is on display at the Salisbury Museum.
Around 1911 the couple retired from Circus life and settled in Salisbury, North Carolina. John was well respected in the community and worked as a clerk for T.F. Kluttz.
Mariah died of Influenza on March 7, 1922 at age 69. John died at age 85 on February the 4th, 1938.
They are both buried in Chestnut Hill Cemetery in Salisbury, NC 
Wow, we don’t see those little people anymore. I love to see photos of her. Did she marry?
Ok I was off Nancy, I found in the records, Sallie Chilonia Hosey (Little Sallie) was born Nov 13,1858 in Coosa Cty, AL. died at age 32. She weighed 32 lbs, and was 32″ tall. And She was actually the sister to my Great Grandfather Andrew Jackson Hosey born in 1862. There was another record with the same info only they had added her hair was 32″ long. 🙂
Nancy, I dont think I have pics but I can look thru my genealogy things and find her birth year. 🙂
The dress would fit one of my dolls. I am glad it is on display. I like the museum in Salisbury.
Do you have pictures of Sally? What year was she born.
This reminded me of one of my daddy’s aunts who was 36″ tall, her hair was 36″ long, and she died at 36. Her name was Sally Chilonia Hosey, and she lived in Sylacuaga cty, in Ala. The circus wanted her to be in their show but her daddy said no. I think they have her little chair in their museum there in Talladega Springs, ALa. 🙂
I have seen her dress. Rowan County is full of stories about many interesting folks.
Thanks for sharing.