Mocksville native Mariah Elizabeth Nail stood only 36 inches tall and weighed 48 pounds. She traveled throughout the United States and Europe with the circus as one of the world's smallest women. She met her husband, Major John Mertz, "Major Mite" while touring. The couple traveled with the Barnum Circus, Adam Forepaugh, and John Robinson Shows. They retired from the circus in 1911 and lived in Salisbury until their deaths.