The following story is from a giant named Melchior Thut who came from the Thut’s from Canton of Glarus. He was born in 1736 by his mother Magdalena. His father Heinrich was a farmer and hunter in the alpes of Canton Glarus.
At the age of 16 Melchior was still such short, that the church even didn’t want him to confirm. At the age of 17 he became sick (dropsy). A doctor gave him some kind of powder (probably quicksilver). After his convalescence he grew and grew until he got a size of 2.32m (7.6ft).
His mother Magdalena knew about strange people (bearded children, growth-restricted children…) who all became showmen and earned money. A merchant from «Schwanden» hoped a profitable business of «the tallest man of Switzerland». He let produce a red-white uniform (like Swiss mercenary), and took him to a journey through europe.
Before the adventure begann he married Anna Margreth Zweifel.
People were amazed when they saw him in Netherlands, England, Berlin and Prussia. He also was recruited by the king of Prussia Friedrich. But a short time later he was rejected because he was oversized.
In these two years of travelling Melchior didin’t became rich. Only the merchant made big bucks.
Duke «Karl Eugen von Württemberg» employed him and became his favorite valet.
Twelve years he served the duke. His annual wage was about 200 gulden. During his vacations he travelled back to Switzerland to his wife. He also met the famous academic Johann Caspar Lavater. He portrayed Melchior. Johann Caspar Lavater described Melchior as a reliable, cordial and docile person who frequented silence. Inside he had some kind of affectionateness and tactfulness. He was a person full of benevolence, officious and allegiant.
A second portrait of Melchior was built by a court painter of the duke. This portrait was found by Eveline Hasler 250 years later in Vienna.
Based on a sickness duke «Karl Eugen von Württemberg» dismissed Melchior Thut after twelve years of service!
He went back home to «Tierfehd» (Canton Glarus) which was devastated by a floot. He helped to rebuild the church and later became spinner.
In 1784 he travelled to Vienna where he became ill. His «showman business» was over and nobody payed regard to him anymore. He died as a poor man in Vienna at the age of 48.
