This was the last day that Valentine Tapley shaved. He promised his Pike County friends that if Lincoln were to be elected, he would never shave again. His beard grew to over 12 ½ feet.
This post was contributed by Ross Malone. A historian and a retired school teacher, Ross has authored many books about Missouri’s history, weird facts, and folk tales. He has also written children’s historical fiction. Visit his website, and buy his books in the Missouri Life store.
