Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1879-10-02
The Longest Beard in the World.

a correspondent oi the Detroit Poa
and 1TttuAs writes from Adrian, Mich,
Of certain Edwin Smith, who j. the
posscfsOr Of T. remarkable beard. The
correspondent says: Ordinarily Mr..
Smith and lis beard would not attract
especial attention. he does not Jet II
sway at its own free wi D at all times. but
keeps IL tied IN a compact bunch under
his chin, holding il fast with thread and
hairpins. When thus done up"it docs
not appear to be oi unusual length unless
the observation j. Close. So while IL has
come 20 be generally known in the vi
cinity Of Mr.. Smiths residence that his
beard Is unusually long, but few people
have seen il in all It's enormous length
except ~ hereinafter stated. He isforty-
seven years Of age. He is about six feet
high and weighs l4j pounds. His hair
and beard are sandy and tinged with
gray. He has a pale face. blue eyes,
q high forehead, and AN intelligent and
pleasant appearance. At thirteen years
Of age hc began 90 raise a beard. and
while yot young sckoolbOy was pos
scssed of light siiEon covering 10 face
and neck, riyaling in length that of many
Of his seniors. But hc became tired Of
this, and shaved almost daily for
several years keeping his face smooth
and beardlcs- IIc CONTINUED 10 attend
school in what used 10 BE- known ~ the
Sherman district, Huron county. The
growth II his beard was not, however.
sufficiently rapid 20 attract any special
notice. In Is5- he came 70 Michigan.
whore he rar1icd. His hsalth from
boyhood has not been of the l.. t. bilious
and lung troubles being mo- common.
In 1861 bis health failed. and lac won't
20 California in the hope Of regaining it,
il was the fashion among the miners
Of those days 10 allow their boards 10
grow. Ii was agreed among several Of
them. Mr.. Smith among the number.
that they would allow their boards 70
grow for six months. and see which
could at tho 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 IL convenient 20 tie or fasinn
the beard under the chin. In this way
Mr.. Smith first became accustomed TO
wearing ii long, with the superfuous
length tied up out Of the way. And
now" said he, you see what it haI
grown to-" And as your correspondent
looked from the smiling face Of the man,
and then turned to 20 on a search for the
other end Of the beard. be thought of the
story uf the Etccplc which was 50 tall
that you had to look twice 10 see the top
Of IT, There could be no mistake about
IL. Zach individual hair stretched itx
siikcn, wavy length from face TO floor.
Now ! will show you how long it Is,
said Mr.. Smith. and he stepped upon
chair and stood erect. Still its length
was 50 great that the foot could be placed
on the ends. which touched the floor
The beard has been carefully trimmed.
so that If is Of even weight and size TO
the very end. Unroling little paper
which was laid away in a drawer. he
said, That's its length last'winter." and
unwound a seemingly endless hair
When measured it was found to he
seven feet four inches long Now we
will measure the beard as it j. today
said be. and looked for TIA yard-stick
Seven feet six inches and half was tie
length