Kellogg's Own Midget

RECTOR

Posted By: Marilyn Holmes (email)
Date: 10/11/2009 at 10:41:56

Article appeared in the Kellogg Historical Society booklet, Vol. III; publ. 1983

"THE KING"
Charlie Rector

KELLOGG'S OWN MIDGET

At one time Kellogg had a midget, by the name of Charles Rector. The son of Edwin Forrest (1883-1943) and Cora Lee Rector (1881-1949) he was born on August 9, 1913 in Newton. His parents moved to Malcom when he was a baby and lived there the first 12 years of his life. He lived in Kellogg for several years in the early 1930s. While in Kellogg, his father worked for the railroad and they were very close friends of the O.C. Nortons. They occupied houses on Water St. and Reynolds St.

He was an accomplished musician, played the xylophone, drums and cymbals. He gave many performances in the Kellogg area. Velma Paulson Williams remembers accompanying him on the piano while he played the xylophone and tap danced.

He did commercials calling for "Phillip Morris" cigarettes.

At a very young age "The King" as he was called was offered engagements with outstanding New York companies where he held a six month engagement on Broadway. He spent the greatest share of his life touring the U.S. with his mother and father accompanying him with their mobile home pulled behind the family car. His acts were mostly dramatic shows, vaudeville and musical comedy.

At the age of 21, "The King" weighed 42 lbs. and was 42" tall. His greatest achievement in life was to make other people happy with music, songs, and dancing.

His clothes for the stage were made by his mother, but his street clothes were tailor made. He wore an infants size 8-1/2 shoe and children's gloves and his shirts were the size of a six-year-old.

With a love for animals, he included his white fluffy dog "Sparky" who played vaudeville with him. At one time he traveled with the Ike Rose Midgets. He had his own orchestra and played for clubs, lodges and various spots with the U.S.O.

"The King" had a wonderful personality, always smiling and full of life. He had many serious sick spells but was nursed through them by his loving mother who idolized him.

On October 11, 1944, "The King" passed away suddenly of a heart attack just as he was ready to go on the stage in Oklahoma. Services were held in Malcom, Iowa with burial there in the Ivy Hill Cemetery.