 |
Robert Wadlow strikes a
pose with the
Greupner brothers during
his promotional stop in Elk River |
Business
relies on publicity. In 1939, Greupner
Shoe Store carried this adage to an unusual end. Appearing to promote Peters
Shoe Company, and the local distributor: Greupner Shoes, the tallest man in the
world arrived in Elk River.
Robert
Wadlow, of Illinois, spent a day in August 1939, in Elk River. He busied himself signing autographs and
promoting the quality footwear of Peters’ Shoes. Pointing out his own shoes, Wadlow noted the
size as 37AA.
Using
a cane and braces to move through the city, Wadlow struck a variety of poses
beside individuals and automobiles to illustrate his great height. On the day of his visit, the Sherburne County
Star News measured him at 8 feet, 9 ½ inches.
A year later, at his death he was measured at 8 feet 11 inches.
During
his visit to Elk River, his most memorable pose provided comparison to the
height of William and Fred Greupner. The
newspaper reported Wadlow as the “giant as big as is claimed.”
The
paper concluded the report by congratulating the Greupner brothers for the
enterprising promotion in bringing Wadlow to Elk River and the publicity for
Greupner shoes and for Elk River.
Although the United States did not enter World War Two
until December 1941, the government instituted preparations for war as early as
1940. The plans for war impacted
Sherburne County as the army drafted a number of young men in the county. The local newspaper, Sherburne County Star News reported the draft calls and also noted
national efforts to get ready for war. 
