Leopold Kahn | |
|---|---|
 Admrial Dot, 14 years old at 25 inches | |
| Born | Leopold Kahn 1858 |
| Other names | Admiral Dot, El Dorado Elf, California Dwarf |
| Occupation(s) | Entertainer, Character Artist, Comedian, Entrepeneur |
| Years active | 1858 - 1918 |
| Spouse |
Charlotte Naomi Swartwood
(m. 1892–1918) |
| Children | Hazel Kahn, Gabriel Kahn |
| Website | http://www.showhistory.com/ |
Admiral Dot (born 1858) was the stage name for Leopold Kahn, a dwarf who performed in P.T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Circus[1]. Kahn began his career at the age of four when he was discovered by P.T. Barnum [2]. At his prime, Dot measured only 25 inches tall, and was the shortest midget to be performing [3]. Kahn also performed as a comedian and a character actor in later years as he outgrew his competition [2]. Later in life, Kahn opened the Admiral Dot hotel and operated it until it burned down in 1911[4]. Kahn died in 1918, after succumbing to the Spanish Flu [5].
Domestic Life
editLeopold Kahn was born in San Francisco in 1858 as the son of Gabriel and Cornelia Kahn. Leopold's parents were Jewish and from Baden-Baden, Germany. Leopold was the only one in his immediate family that was a dwarf, but he did have an uncle and a nephew, Samuel that were both dwarfs. Leopold's nephew Samuel would eventually become Major Atom in P.T Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan, and Circus.[2] It was not until Leopold was four years old that he was discovered by P.T. Barnum while he was taking a vacation to the west coast.[1]
In October of 1981, Admiral Dot met Charlotte Naomi "Lottie" Swartwood, who would eventually become his wife. Swartwood was born in Van Etten, New York, on February 7, 1867. Charlotte converted from Presbyterian to Judaism, and adopted the Jewish middle name Naomi in order to marry. The couple got married at Temple Rudolph Sholon in New York on August 14, 1982. Notable guests at the wedding included Sadie Belton as the maid of honor, Colonel Reuben Steere as the best man, George Laible and his future wife, Annie Nelson, and Major Atom. [6]
Kahn had two children with Charlotte, a girl named Hazel and a boy, Gabriel, named after his grandfather. Hazel was born in 1893 and Gabriel was born on January 21st 1896. Despite Admiral Dot and his wife being midgets, Hazel and Gabriel were both of normal height [2].
Leopold and his wife continued to grow throughout their lives. Leopold eventually reached 4' tall, his wife 4'2". Leopold and his wife eventually settled in the town of White Plains, New York. By this time, Leopold had amassed a fortune of over $250,000, which he used to establish the Admiral Dot Hotel in 1893. Admiral Dot died on October 26th, 1918 of influenza at the age of 59 years, along with his daughter Hazel, who also passed away just two days earlier of influenza, during the 1918 flu pandemic. Kahn's son was serving as a private in the American army in France at the time.[5]His wife lived on until December 12, 1950, passing away at age 83[2].
Career
editIn the autumn of 1870, P. T. Barnum's Grand Traveling Museum, Menagerie, Caravan and Circus began its tour, with Admiral Dot displayed as one of its features. Barnum gave Dot the nickname "The Eldorado Elf," as he predicted his small stature would attract many audiences, and hence, a large profit. In the beginning, Admiral Dot appeared on stage with his mother, and was advertised as being 16 years old, 25 inches tall, and nineteen pounds. Dot continued to perform for P. T. Barnum for the next two decades, despite overtaking other small performers in height, including his nephew Major Atom. [3]
Admiral Dot later became a character actor and popular comedian for the Locke & Davis Royal Lilliputian Opera Company. It was during this time that Dot met his wife, and was dubbed "the Smallest Character Actor in the World.[2]
In his later years Admiral Dot would open the Admiral Dot Hotel. Admiral Dot also served as honorary chief of the fire department and was sworn in as deputy sheriff. To this day he is the smallest person to hold either position. Kahn continued to buy property in this area and also established Lexington Hall, a catering facility.[4] The Admiral Dot Hotel burned down in 1911, and Admiral Dot passed away seven years later. [3]
References
edit- ^ a b Prodigies by James G. Mundie - Admiral Dot, the El Dorado Elf.
- ^ a b c d e f Admiral Dot, the California Dwarf
- ^ a b c Admiral Dot,
- ^ a b Admiral Dot, Midget Performer, Archive
- ^ a b Admiral Dot, Famous Midget, Dies. - View Article - NYTimes.com
- ^ A WEDDING OF MIDGETS. - ADMIRAL DOT KAHN AND LOTTIE NAOMI SWARTWOOD MARRIED. - View Article - NYTimes.com
Bibliography
edit"Admiral Dot, Famous Midget, Dies. - View Article - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. New York Times, 27 Oct. 1918. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F0091EF93E5D147A93C5AB178BD95F4C8185F9>.
"Admiral Dot, Midget Performer, Archive ." Bid in Online Auctions - Live Auctioneers. Live Auctioneers. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/7478316>.
"Admiral Dot, the California Dwarf." P H R E E Q U E S H O W. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://phreeque.tripod.com/admiral_dot.html>.
James, Mundie. "Admiral Dot,." ...........www.showhistory.com.................. 17 Dec. 2005. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://www.showhistory.com/AdmiralDot.midget.html>.
Mundie, James G. "Prodigies by James G. Mundie - Admiral Dot, the El Dorado Elf." MissionCREEP. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://missioncreep.com/mundie/gallery/little/little22.htm>.
"A WEDDING OF MIDGETS. - ADMIRAL DOT KAHN AND LOTTIE NAOMI SWARTWOOD MARRIED. - View Article - NYTimes.com." The New York Times - Breaking News, World News & Multimedia. New York Times, 15 Aug. 1892. Web. 05 May 2011. <http://query.nytimes.com/mem/archive-free/pdf?res=F40915FD395C17738DDDAC0994D0405B8285F0D3>.