Francis Joseph Flynn, better known as General Mite and frequently called ’The Smallest Man in the World’, was an American dwarf who performed as a showman.
Billed in shows around the world as ‘The Greatest Wonder of the Nineteenth Century’, ‘A Modern Miracle’ and ‘Assuredly the Smallest Man in the World,’ at the age of seventeen General Mite was only 22 inches and weighed a mere nine pounds.
Born in New York on the 6th of October 1864, he was the son of Edward and Mary Flynn and brother to Alice, who were all of average height.
In 1884, he wed an English dwarf by the name of Millie Edwards in a largely publicised and extravagant event. From then on, the couple were exhibited as “General and Mrs. Mite” in many advertisements.
In 1890 they moved to Australia and Francis Flynn died in Broken hill in 1898, just one day before his 34th birthday.
His final resting place can be found at the Broken Hill Cemetery in the historical Catholic section, row L lot 2.
Local historian Christine Adams runs history tours through the Broken Hill Cemetery.
Ms Adams describes it as the most historical place in Broken Hill and said the tours are conducted in a respectful way.
Many stories like that of Francis Joseph Flynn’s can be found within it’s walls and maps and flyers of notable grave sites are included on entry or can be picked up at the Broken Hill Tourist and Information Centre, 23-27 Bromide St.
