Even as a boy, Erector Set inventor larger than life

A.C. Gilbert was a practicing magician good enough to astonish Hermann the Great at age 7, a world-record-holding athlete at age 17, and a born salesman — in the best “win-win” sense of the word. (Salem, Marion County; 1890s, 1900s) (For text and pictures, see https://offbeatoregon.com/1703d.ac-gilbert-growing-up-in-salem-436.html)