The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1868-01-14
LETTER FROM THE FAR WEST.

EDITOR ARGUS-DeQr Sar: 1t Is my IN =
tention, in this letter, to give you some idea
of what has been transpiring in the magic
city" during the past few weeks, hoping it
will prove OF interest to you and your read
erS.
The walking mania, which seems to be
gradually taking possession of the sports
of the country, has spread to Cheyenne, ana
the whole town is infected with it. 1t first
broke out in a resort styled "McDaniers
Museum" at which place it was advertised
Prof. Clark would walk, without rest or
nourishment of any kind, tor sixty consecu-
tive hours. This caused considerable ex-
element among the fancy" of the magic
city" and many were the bets staked on
the result. The "walkist'' commenced his
tramp on Monday afternoon, Dec 30th, at six
o'clock, in hall at the rear of the museum
On one side of the hall, extending its en-
tire length, was erected q platform, upon
which the walkist pursued the even tenor of
his way-the observed of all observers aud
the hero of an admiring crowd. "An went
merry as a marriage bell, until Wednesday
morning, Jan. lst. when it was rumored
the ''pedestrianist" had gone insane, (which,
L should say he was from the start; for, in my
opinion, no sane man would thus volunta rily
prostitute his physical and mental powers to
such purpose. This, however proved to
be only temporary flight of reason, of but
few minutes duration, and caused no inter
rnption in the walk. In the afternoon,
prompted by curiosity, / paid a visit to the
scene OF action. The pedestrian had by
this time become so weak that he had to be
supported by two men-one on each side
who walked with him continually. Occa
slonally, as the poor simpeton showed signs
of sinking into the arms of Morpheus, one
of his supporters would violently pull his
nose, or jerk his chin, at the imminent risk
of breaking his neck. About four o'clock
he showed signs of wavering and desired to
stop; but the proprietor of the Museum had
secured HE services for the purpose of crea-
ting an excitement In favor of his institution
and drawing q crowd thither, and had no in
tention of permitting him to stop, until the
two physicians who were in attendance
should declare it absolutely necessary for the
preservation of life. So the poor fellow logged
or rather, was dragged along, accompanied by
the beating of drum, to drive off sleep
from his eyelids. The scene was so intensely
ludicrouS, that should have been tempted
to laugh outright, had ! not been impressed
with the fact that human life was at stake.
About eight o'clock in the evening it be
came evident that life's silver cord was
stretched to its utmost tension, when he was
removed and placed under medical treat
ment. So the walk was failure, he having
walked only fifty hours.
Next morning, the proprietor of the Mu-
scum, with the true Yankee talent of making
money out of everything, had the nearly de-
funct "walkist" removed to his establish
ment, and displayed card, stating that
Prot. Clark was not yet dead, and could be
seen by the curious, free-it being under
STOOD however, that no one would pass the
bar without taking drink
One would suppose this to be enonpb of
this nonsense for one season, Not 30. how
ever. On the next day, another lunatic in
cited by the efforts of his illustrious nrede-
cessor, commenced a walk of seventy hours.
in Dexter Hall. This worthy held ont
bravely until Saturday night, when he sud-
denly became delirious and, knocking down
two or three men who opposed him, made
his escape from the hall. He was pursued,
and captured on the bank of Crow Creek,
about half mile distant His reason re-
turned, but his walk was not resumed, and
was declared a failure, he having walked
but forty-nine hours
In week or two, three men will walk for
wager OF S5O0-the one walking the long
est winning the prize. A female "walkist.n
named Forrestelli, will also shortly exhibit
her powers OF endurance. That the race of
natural-born simpletons is not yet extinct, is
evident; and that some of them reside near
Cheyenne, is equally evident So much for
"walkists.'
The Legislature of Dakotah has passed an
act Incorporating Cheyenne as CITY. and
the arrival of the charter is daily looked for.
When it is received, an election will be held
for city officers, to take the place of the tenn
porary ones, now presiding, at which election |
an effort will lie made, by the lovers of law |
and order to place honest, responsible and
competent men in Office There will no |
doubt be an exciting contest, as the lawless |
element in the community is yery stronp. |
and will make strenuous efforts to elect it's |
candidates.
There has been considerable excitement |
IN town for the past few days, occasioned by |
the supposed murder of two children by their
father. The rumors relative TO the matter
were various and conflicting. One report
said that the man had murdered the two
children, cut up the bodies and burned them
IN dry-goods box; another, that he had Or
1ered coffin from an undertaken, for child.
put, when 1t was completed, refused to take
i, saying that he had buried the child in a
box OF his own construction, and would not
need it then, but if the maker would keep it
or day or two, he would have use for it
Another report said that the perpetrator of
he outrage had been lynched; and one man.
little the worse for liquor claimed to have
put the rope around his neck, for which as.
'ertion he was knocked down by an indig.
'ant by-stander, The man, however, had
L