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| Robert Wadlow and his father, Harold. |
Robert Wadlow, then 21 and representing the International Shoe Co., paid a promotional visit to Chariton on Monday, Aug. 28, 1939, at the invitation of Robert and Mary Crozier, partners in the family dry goods store on the southeast corner of the square.
Like other celebrities, Robert drew a considerable crowd. But unlike some, the amiable young man demonstrated no particular talent. Instead, his height was his distinction. At 8-feet, 8 and 1/4 inches and sometimes known as "the Alton giant," he had been recognized as the world's tallest person --- a distinction that remains intact.
Wadlow had become a celebrity some years earlier, during 1936 at age 18, while touring with the Ringling Brothers Circus --- not as a sideshow attraction, merely appearing in the center ring dressed in his everyday clothing (he declined to wear the top hat and tails that circus managers had proposed). During 1938, he entered into a promotional relationship with the shoe company that provided, in addition to other benefits, custom-made shoes as part of the deal (his size was 37 AA). He was accompanied on his travels by his father, Harold, and a shoe company representative.
Robert's physical condition resulted from hyperplasia of his pituitary gland, a condition that medicine in the later 20th century would be able to deal with. At the time, however, when medical intervention was not possible, he was beginning to make his way through life as best he could.
Here's how The Chariton Leader of Aug. 29, 1939, reported his appearance --- under the headline, "Robert Wadlow --- He's Really 'Tops' --- Visits in Chariton."
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Robert Wadlow, 21 years old and the tallest man in the world, leaned his 491 pounds against a truck cab here yesterday afternoon and stared at Chariton. And Chariton, jamming the streets and leaning out of windows for a better view, stared right back at Robert.
Robert, whose home is Alton, Illinois, and who is at present traveling around the country to represent a nationally known shoe company, appeared in this city for more than an hour in front of the J.T. Crozier store on the east side of the square.
When the youth arrived, he leaned against the side of the truck for a time, patiently waiting until such trivial matters (to the crowd, anyway) as a public address system hook-up and last minute preparations were completed.
Then he laboriously climbed into the back end of the truck where his father (Harold Wadlow), Robert Crozier and a representative from the show company began the "program."
While Robert, completely hiding the glass in his hand, tossed off three glasses full of water, his father spoke to the crowds. To emphasize the extreme height of Robert, an offer was made by his father of a silver dollar to anyone who could come up and pick the money off of Robert's head when the latter was standing erect. Two volunteers, both over six feet, came far short of even reaching Robert's brow.
Then Mr. Wadlow Sr. gave a brief sketch of his son's life. Robert was born February 22, 1918, in Alton, Illinois. At his birth, he weighed but 8-1/2 pounds but his unusual growth began immediately. At six months his weight had increased to 30 pounds and at nine years of age, the boy was 6 foot, 1 inch tall and weighed 180 pounds. Today, he is the tallest man of whom doctors have any record, towering up from his size 37 shoe some eight feet, eight and one-quarter inches. He is 13-1/2 inches taller than anyone in the United States and 5-1/2 inches taller than any person on whom there is a definite record.
If you are interested in statistics and measurements, here's a few that are true, but nevertheless hard to believe. The boy's shoe laces are each six feet long. He wears an 8 and three quarters size hat. His shirt has a 19-inch collar with an arm length of 41 inches. From his belt to the cuff of his trousers the measurement is 68 inches long.
After standing beside Robert and barely coming above his son's belt line, Mr.Wadlow declared that there was no other man in the world over eight feet tall, despite the claims of two "giants," one of whom claims he is even taller than Robert.
Robert's father is but five feet, eleven and a quarter inches tall weighing 175 pounds. His mother is 5 foot, four inches tall weighing 145 pounds. Robert has two brothers and two sisters, each of whom are of normal size for their age.
Robert was educated in the Alton public schools and went through junior college there. He doesn't smoke because he is "afraid it will stunt his growth." He played basketball in high school, having the special position of "dropper" created for him. His team mates threw him the ball and Robert, stationed by the basket, would merely drop it in. He was finally ruled out of play because of the unfair advantage his height gave his team.
The boy also likes to swim when he can find a pool big enough, collects match covers, dabbles with photography, and takes a keen delight in being appointed deputy sheriff of the counties through which he travels.
He enjoys good health and has done through all the children's diseases without any trouble. The party, including Robert's father and the shoe company representative, travel about in a seven passenger car. Hotel reservations are made in advance and a place for Robert to sleep is obtained by combining two or three normal size beds.
Strange as it may seem, the boy eats but little more than the average person, according to his father. "While he was growing the fastest, he did eat considerable. But now that he has about reached his full height, his appetite is about the same as yours or mine."
His full height? Oh, yes. Doctors predict that he will eventually reach nine foot. Then he'll quit growing.
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Reassurances that Robert's health was "good" were misleading. Leg braces helped him remain upright and walk but circulation in his legs and feet apparently was impaired. And in the year after his appearance in Chariton, his general health began to decline.
On July 4, 1940, during an appearance in Michigan, a faulty brace irritated his ankle and an infection, complicated by an autoimmune disorder, developed. He was treated with surgery and blood transfusions, but died in his sleep at age 22 on July 15. Measured three days before his death, his height had increased to 8 feet, 11.1 inches.
Robert is buried in Alton's Oakwood Cemetery. During 1986, a life-size statue honoring him was erected in his hometown.
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