Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 78, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 April 1913 — Race Not Going Backward [ARTICLE]

Race Not Going Backward

Proof That the Men of Today Are at Least Taller In Stature Than Their Ancestors. -J Some time ago when It was wished to use some ancient suits of English armor for a pageant it was found that they were all too small for the use of the average man. Now comes, a similar story from Germany. Thb custodian of a castle near Innsbruck, a man slightly under the average height, says that he has tried on every suit of armor in the castle and that they are all too small for him. The custodian of the castle of Voduz, who is of still lesser stature, says the same thing of the armor under his care, and we are reminded of the low doors and short beds that are so distinguishing a feature of old Gothic houses. Is it possible that the human race is increasing in stature? >t would seem so. We can hardly account tor

this on the ground of athletics, seeini that the old knightly pirates of th< days of chivalry were athletic enough Physical vigor was their stock 1b trade. It is said that very few men nowadays can draw the old long bows ol the English archers, the bows that were capable of sending an arrow through a steel breastplate. But sc far as stature is concerned we seem to have the better of our buccaneer Ing ancestors.