HAS FIRST HAIR CUT OR SHAVE IN YEAR-John Gruis-1913

GRUIS, STEENBLOCK, KOLTHOFF, JUTTING

Posted By: CHERYL MOONEN (email)
Date: 5/5/2022 at 21:59:06

Dubuque Telegraph Herald, April 1, 1913

HAS FIRST HAIR CUT
OR SHAVE IN YEAR
~
JOHN GRUIS OF ACKLEY KEEPS
PECULIAR AGREEMENT WITH
HIS FRIENDS
~
Ackley, Ia., April 1 – John Gruis, a farmer, living just south of Ackley, walked into a barber shop here Saturday and demanded a close haircut, and a variety of different shaves. Neither scissors nor razor had touched Mr. Gruis’ face for a few days more than a year.

On March 22, 1912, friends of Mr. Gruis jocularly reminded him he needed a haircut. “I wouldn’t touch that hair for a year if I didn’t feel like it.” Mr. Gruis replied upon which three friends immediately produced a $10 bill each offering the money to him to refrain from visiting a barber shop during the year.

Gruis pocketed the money and kept his promise.

The year was up a week ago last Saturday, but the three donators, Lawrence Kolthoff, John Steenblock and U. Jutting, all of Cleves, called on him and offered to raise the remuneration for another year’s abstinence to $100. Mr. Gruis was inclined to accept, until a warm spring day came.