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CHE
- MAH
THE ONLY CHINESE DWARF

Starke County was the
home of Che Mah, the smallest man in the world prior to his
death in 1926. Che Mah's home was in Knox. He was
interviewed by a writer and asked, "are you the smallest man
in the world."
"I am," he replied, " and
with no exception." "Of course," he continued, "there are
children smaller than I, but I am the smallest man in the
world."
Che Mah was only 28
inches tall and weighed only 40 pounds. He was brought to
the United States in 1881 by Barnum and Bailey Circus. He
traveled with shows the greater part of his life. He was
considered the most polite and intelligent manikin ever on
exhibition, being with the largest shows in the country and
having appeared before all the crowned heads of Europe. He
has appeared and performed in all the big museums and
circuses in Europe.
Che Mah was one of the
most highly respected citizens of Knox, and owned
considerable property in Starke County.
"How does it feel to be
the smallest man in the world?" was asked of him.
"Well, " he replied, "I
don't know as it feels any different from being any other
kind of man." "It's not the size of the man that counts, but
it is his brains or what he knows," he said, pointing to his
forehead.
Che Mah was buried at the
highest point in Crown Hill Cemetery, in Knox.
Information provided by the
Starke County Historical Society
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