#major mite

[thecircusgirl]

[bartleby-company]

Major Mite

[catskewl]

Clarence Chesterfield Howerton (major mite) was a 2ft 4in. circus performer for 25 years with Ringling Bros. for 20 of those.

Howerton reportedly enjoyed cigars and beer, "often yelled obscenities". and was known to "run the length of a bar, kicking anything in his way",[8] sometimes whilst dressed in children's clothes.[6] While working with Ringling Brothers, Howerton befriended Jack Earle, who was 7 ft 7 1⁄2 in (2.32 m) tall, but at the time was advertised as being 8 ft 7 in (2.62 m).The two were often photographed together in promotional materials for Ringling Brothers, with it being said that "it is penny-ante poker which has made pals of Jack and the major .

Clarence died in 1975 at the age of 62.

[catskewl]

Clarence Chesterfield Howerton,“ Major Mite”, 12/7/1922, National Photo Co., Library of Congress.

(February 9, 1913 – November 18, 1975), also known as Major Mite, was an American circus performer who starred in the sideshow for over 25 years, 20 of which were with the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus. He was 2 ft 4 in (0.71 m) tall and performed with several groups from the early 1920s through the late 1940s, billed as the smallest man in the world. His small physique was often contrasted alongside larger circus sideshow acts, such as the juvenile obese and the excessively tall.

Regarded as a "highly successful sideshow [novelty]" and celebrity, Howerton visited the White House and represented recruitment efforts of the United States Marine Corps. He was featured in multiple films, including a role as a Munchkin in 1939's The Wizard of Oz. He retired in 1949. more at wikipedia

[never-a-president]

Clarence Chesterfield Howerton was never president of the United States.

[pastperfect-online]

This week we feature two people for our Bio Thursday - Jack Earle and Major Mite. The pair traveled with Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Circus and were billed as the world's tallest and shortest men, respectively. Earle reportedly stood 8 feet 6 inches tall, while Major Mite was a mere 2 feet 4 inches. The duo can be seen here playing cards.

[photo - Circus World Museum]

[7hundred30]