Democratic Sentinel, Volume 20, Number 2, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 January 1896 — THE HEALDSBURG GIANT. [ARTICLE+ILLUSTRATION]

THE HEALDSBURG GIANT.

Young Church Is Over Seven Feet in Height and Still Growing. California lays claim to a*number of unusually tall people within her borders. The subject of this picture is only 17 years of age, but is over seven feet in height, and still growing. At the rate he Is now shooting up into the air It looks as If the ancient giant will look like a mere boy in comparison. His name is John Wiley Church and his exact height is just seven feet and a quarter of an Inch. Though John has already gained fame as a giant in Half Moon Bay, hip native town, and more recently in Healdsburg, his present residence, none of the other members of his family have ever attracted any attention to their stature, for the reason that none of them are bigger than ordinary Individuals. His brother is not above the average height, so John cannot comprehend why he is so tall. In fact, he is half ashamed of the honor, and has allowed himself to become round shouldered In an effort to appear as small as the rest of the family.' It is not until his dignity asserts itself and he straightens out that one realized how diminutive they are beside him. The man standing under his arm was proud of his six feet of stature until he met John. He is not very stout, but then that may be accounted for by the fact

that he works hard every day, peddling fruit around the interior towns. His wonderful height never fails to attract attention and John has never had to complain of bls sales.

JOHN WILEY CHURCH.