Bernard Coyne 1897 - 1921

COYNE

Posted By: Connie Swearingen- Volunteer (email)
Date: 12/27/2022 at 21:59:28

Correctionville News
26 May 1921

Anthon Giant Dead
Youth Was Known as Tallest Man in America

Bernard Coyne, twenty-four year old son of Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Coyne of the Anthon community, died Friday, May 20, after an illness of several months. He was known as the tallest man in America, was eight feet eight inches tall and weighed 300 pounds. He was well known in this
community as most persons who have lived here for any length of time.

He was in Sioux City last fall at the time of the fair and at the same time ordered a pair of shoes which were on display, size 24. One of the
side show attractions at the fair was a Holland giant who claimed to be the tallest man in the world, but when the boy’s father challenged him
he didn't back his claims. A special casket had to be ordered for the funeral.

The young giant was born on his father’s farm six miles southeast of Oto, la., July 27, 1897, and has resided in that locality since birth. He
had been failing in health since last September.

Mr. Coyne has four brothers and one sister who are considerably smaller than their brother. Physicians who examined the giant could give no reason for his unusual growth. He had refused several offers to exhibit himself, but at one time did appear on a fair circuit.

The giant, besides his parents, is survived by four brothers, Thomas Coyne, Hugh Coyne, Neil Coyne and Morris Coyne, and one sister, Loretta
Coyne, all living near Anthon.

Funeral services were held at the St. Joseph’s Catholic Church in Anthon Monday morning. Interment was made in Mt. SL Joseph cemetery.

Audubon County Journal
26 May 1921

Tallest Man an Iowan

Bernhard Coyne, of Anthon, Iowan, died at his home last week. He was in his twenty-fourth year and was believed to be the tallest man in the world. He measured eight feet eight inches in height and wore a No. 24 shoe.

He had many offers to appear in shows but would not accept, as he shrank from public notice.

He has several brothers and sisters all of normal size.

Sioux City Journal
21 May 1921

WORLD'S TALLEST MAN DIES

OTO GIANT SUCCUMBS TO LIFE-LONG AILMENT.

MEASURED 8 FEET 1 INCH

Special Casket Will BE Prepared for Funeral, Which Will Be Held Monday at Anthon -- Death Due to Complications Caused by Size.

Bernard Coyne, 23 years old, said to be the tallest man in the world, died at his home, six miles northwest of Oto, la., yesterday, according to advices reaching Sioux City.

Coyne was known as the "youthful giant." His "height when standing in his stocking feet measured 8 feet 1 inch. He tipped the scales at 300 pounds. Because of his giant stature he had been featured in exhibitions in Iowa, Minnesota, Dakota and Nebraska on numerous occasions.

Coyne made frequent trips to Sioux City. His last visit to the city was last fall at fair time when he came to attend the exhibition and incidentally, to purchase his semi-annual supply of shoes. The ordinary cobbler could not fit him, for his lower extremities demanded a size 21 shoe.

Bigger-Than Circus Giant.

The "youthful giant's' appearance on the fair- grounds robbed a Mr. Von Albert of his title of being the tallest man in the world. Coyne laughed at the contender, stepped beside the man and "put him in the shade."

The man's stature made ordinary men appear as pigmies. Automobile tops merely came to Coyne's arm pits. The average man found difficulty in reaching to button the man's coat. He required a ten-foot bed to sleep in, comfortably.

Death is said to have been caused by a complication of diseases due to the unatural size of the man. Coyne had been ailing in health since last November. Continued efforts of medical men to thwart his illness proved futile.

Coyne had never been robust or strong during his boyhood days. Sports had been taboo for him. Even the outdoor life on the farm failed to make him strong and he was more or less of an invalid, unable to work or play, all during his life.

Coyne was born on a farm half-way between Oto, la., and Anthon, la., July 27, 1894. He had always resided on the home place with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sylvester Coyne. During school age he attended the public schools of Anthon.

Cause of Size a Mystery.

The lad's prodigious size is said to have stumped medical men in trying to diagnosed the cause. His parents and his brothers and sister are of normal stature.

Coyne's body will necessitate a 9-foot casket, three feet longer than the average casket, according to R. Hudgel, Anthon undertaker, who has charge of the funeral. In order to permit the hearse to convey the casket to the cemetery the rear doors of the vehicle will be opened. No hearse in the United States could carry-such a body with the doors closed, the undertaker said.

Funeral services will be held Monday morning at St. Joseph's Catholic church at Anthon and the body will be interred at the Anthon cemetery.

Besides his parents, Coyne is survived by four brothers and one sister, all of whom reside on the family farm six miles southwest of Anthon.

Evening Public Ledger
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
21 May 1921

8-FOOT GIANT DIES IN IOWA

Bernard Coyne Was Said to Be the Tallest Man on Earth

Sioux City, Ia., May 21- Bernard Coyne said to be the tallest man in the world, died yesterday at his home in Oto, County.

Coyne was known as the "youthful giant." His height measured 8 ft. 1 in. and he weighed 300 pounds. He wore size 24 shoes. He had been ill for several months. He was twenty-four years old.

Chicago Tribune
Chicago, Illinois
21 May, 1921

Bernard Coyne, 8 ft. 1 in., Tallest Man in World? Dies
Sioux City, Ia., May 20--Bernard Coyne said to be the tallest man in the world, died today at his home in Oto. Coyne was 8 feet 1 inch.

Knoxville Sentinel
Knoxville, Tennessee
21 May 1921

Tallest Man In World Is Dead

Sioux City, Iowa, May 21- Bernard Coyne, said to be the tallest man in the world, died yesterday at his home in Oto County.

Coyne was known as "the youthful giant," his height measuring eight feet one inch and he weighed 300 pounds. He wore size 24 shoes. He had been ill for several months. He was 24 years old.

Omaha daily Bee
Omaha, Nebraska
24 May 1921

Tallest Person in United States Dies

Bernard Coyne.

Dubuque Ia., May 23. (Special) Bernard Coyne, premier giant of Iowa, 9 feet 2 inches in height, died at his home in Anthon, Ia., after a short illness. Coyne was only 18 and one of the tallest persons in the United States, although he was but little seen outside of the home circle of which he was fond.

A local casket Company was kept busy for an entire day filling an order for a cloth covered coffin 9 feet 9 inches long and a rough box 10' feet long.

Visitors to the city were appalled by the sight of a youth so tall but found delight in having him kick and reach for objects at an unbelievable height with ease.