Weekly Chillicothe crisis. (Chillicothe, Livingston Co., Mo.) 1878-19??, 1879-09-11

A correspondent Of the Detroit Post ana
Tribune writes from Adrian, Mich, of a
certain Edwin Smith, who is the possessor
of remarkable beard. The correspond
ent 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 hair pins. When thus done
up it does not appear to be Of unusual
length unless the observation is close. So
while it has come to be generally known
in the vicinity of Mr.. Smiths residence
that his beard is unusually long, but few
pew people have seen it in alllts enormous
length except as hereinafter stated. He
is A years of age. He Is about six feet
high and weighs las pounds. His hair
and beard are sandy and tlnged with
gray. He has pale face, blue eyes, a
high forehead, and an intelligent and
pleasant appearance. At l3 years Of age
he began to raise beard, and while yet
a young schoOl-boy, 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, ana
shaved almost daily for several years,
keeping his face smooth and beardlesS.
He continued 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 at
tract any special notice. In 1858 he came
to Michigan, where he married. His
health from boyhood has 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.
at was the fashion among miners Of
those days to allow their boards to grow.
1t was agreed among several, Mr., Smith
among the number, that they would allow
their boards to grow for SIX months, and
see which could at the end Of that time
boasts of the longest. Mr.. Smith out
stripped all rivals, and allowed his beard
to grow from then on. The nature of the
work made it convenient to tie or
fasten the beard under the chin. In this
way Mr.. Smith first became accustomed
to wearing it long, with the superlluous
length tied up out of the way. And
now, said he, you see what 1t has grown
to-, And as your correspondent looked
from the smiling face Of the man, and
then turned to 90 in search for the other
end of the beard, he thought of the story |
of the steepe 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 | will,
show you how long itlis, said Mr. Smith,
and he stepped upon 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 had
been carefully trimmed, so that it is of
even weight and size to the very end.
Unrolling little paper which was laid
away in a drawer he said; That's its
length last winter, and unwound a SEEM
ngly endless hair. When measured it
was found to be feet inches long.
Now we will measure the beard as it is
to-day, said he, and looked for the yard
stick. Seven feet six inches and half
was the length.