(3 of 3)
Concludes Dr. Humberd: "I think that the lad's height is still actively increasing."
By asserting that Robert Wadlow exceeds all giants in Medical History, Dr. Humberd escapes giving a direct lie to the Bible (Goliath, 9 ft. 9 in. ; KingOg of Bashan, 9 ft.) ; to Roman Pliny (who reported that an Arabian giant brought to Rome was 9 ft. 9 in. tall) ; to Jewish Josephus and Roman Vitellius (both reported a Jew named Eleazar as 10 ft. 2 in.).
In the U. S. an El Paso Jew named Jacob Ehrlich, who calls himself Jack Earle when on exhibition, claims to be 8 ft. 6 in. That height seems to be a favorite among sideshow giants. John G. Tarver of Alba, Tex., claims it. Clifford Thompson of Stevens Point, Wis. claims an inch more. Dr. Humberd frankly does not believe them. He insists that they fake their real heights by wearing high-heeled shoes and tall hats.
Tallest current tale of the tall comes from Teheran, capital of Iran (Persia). There, one Siah-Khan, at 18, is reported to be almost 12 ft. tall. His arms are supposed to be so long that he must wrap an arm once around his head to put food in his mouth.