Rensselaer Standard, Volume 1, Number 15, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 27 September 1879 — The Longest Beard in the World. [ARTICLE]

The Longest Beard in the World.

A correspondent of the Detroit Post and Tribune writes from Adrian, Mich., of a certain Edwin Smith, who is the possessor of a remarkable beard. The correspondent says: "Ordinarily, Mr. Smith and his beard would not attract especial attention. He does not let it sway at its own free will at all times, but keeps it tied in a compact bunch under his chin, holding it fast with thread and hairpins. When thus ’done up* it does not appear to be of unusual length unless the obeervation is dose. So, while it has come to be generally known in the vicinity of Mr. Smith’s residence that his beard is unusually long, but few people have seen it in all its enormous length except as hereinafter stated. He is 47 years of age. He 1* about six feet high, and weigh* 146 pounds. His hair and beard are sandy and tinged with gray- He has a pale face, blue eyes, a high forehead, ana an intelligent and pleasant appearance. \At thirteen years of age he began to

raise a beard, and while yet a young schoolboy, was possessed of a light silken covering to face and neck, rivaling in length that of many of his seniors. But he became tired of this, and shaved almost dally for several years, keeping his face smooth and beardless. He eon tin Ued to attend school in what used to be known as the Sherman District, Huron county. The growth of his beard was not, however, sufficiently rapid to attract any especial notice. Jn 1858 he came to Michigan, where he married. His health from boyhood lias not been of the best, bilious and lung troubles being most common. In 1861 his health failed, and he went to California in the hope of regaining it “It was the fashion among the miners of those days to allow their beards to grow. It was agreed among several ol them, Mr. Smith among the number. that they would allow their beards to grow for six months, and see which could at the end of that time boast of the longest. Mr. Smith outstripped all rivals, and allowed his beard to grow from then on. The nature of the miners' work made It convenient to tie or tasteu the beard under the chin. In this way Mr. Smith first became accustomed to wearing it long, with the superfluous length tied up out of the way. ‘And now,’ said he, ‘you see what it has grown to.’ And as your correspondent looked from the smilling face of the man, and then turned to, go in search for the other end of the beard, he thought of the story of the steeple which was so tall that you had to look twice to see the top of It. There could be no mistake about It. Each individual hair stretched its silken, wavy length from face to floor. ‘Now I will show you how long it is,’ said Mr. Smith, and he stepped upon a chair and stood erect. Still its length was so great that the foot could be placed on the ends, which touched the floor. The beard has been carefully trimmed, so that it is even weight and size to the end. Unrolling a little paper, which was laid away in a drawer, ne said: ‘That’s its length last winter/ and unwound a seemingly endless hair. When measured, it was found to be 7 feet 4 inches long. ‘Now we will measure the beard as it is to-day,’ said he; and he looked for a yard-stick. Seven feet, six inches and a hair, was the length.”