Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1873-08-13
Joe Cloud, the Rover.

On the 2lst day Of July, ultimo, Mr..
Joe Cloud entored upon tho task oil
rowing from Philadelphia 10 New Or
leans, in q small boat, inside ono hun
dred and iorty,fvo days. The dis
tanco between tho two points is 5000
miles, and tho wagcris for $4,000. Wo
have from day TO day noted the pro-
gross made by tho rover, our last bull
letin containing tho announcement OF
his arrival at Harrisburg on Saturday.
He remained in that city over Sunday
and till 5 o'clock last evening, when
he took the Fast Line west, arriving
here at 0.20 p. NJ.
Mr.. Clouds original intention was
to row from Harrisburg by way OF
tho canal TO Hollidaysburg, md at
that point take tho cars TO Pittsburg.
This feature Of the schedule, which was
part and parcel of tho bet, was nulli-
fed at Harrisburg by mutual consent
of all parties concerned, on account
of the fact that not enough water re-
mained in the channel of the canal to
float Mr.. Clouds boat; with tho pro-
viso attached, namely, that this unior-
tunato fact should initiate against Mr.
G. in the event OF his success TO the
amount Of 81, 900, unless Mr.. G. should
DO able TO make one hundred miles
inside twenty-four consecutive hours
between Pittsburgh and New Orleans.
A representative Of the Tribune visi-
ted MIR. Cloud upon his arrival at the
depot, and had long conversation
with him. lilo said that he was slight
ly behind the schedule time, but at
tributod this 10 systematic attempts
made in the eastern waters to rotard
his progress. As though by precon-
certed action, he said, sloops on the
river and boats on tho canal would
uniformly take his water and crowd
him ashore, and an attempt made by
him TO row around them was scarcely
ever successful. Owing to this fact,
and to tho other fact that locks and
shallow places on the route were more
numerous than no anticipated, he failed
by several hours TO make good his
time table estimate. But he is san
guine that he can easily mako up for
lost time after ho shall have struck
the waters which run down to the
Gulf of Mexico. His last day spent
will be his big card. 1t will be the
rowing from 1vyvillo to New Orleans
--onc hundred milcs-in twcnty.four
hours. lf aHa
Mr.. Cloud is 4S years old, and weighs
200 pounds. The muscle OF his arm
measures sixteen inches. He wears a
sailors suit Of blue, surmounted by q
broad brim straw hat. In conversa-
tion, he is fluent and natural, and the
accent of his words Enthusiastically be-
trays his Yankee origin. He is the
atrical man by profession, and it is said
Of him that he has appeared as "Simon
Legrce' IN "Unclo Toms Cabin" one
hundred and sevenLy-six consecutive
nights. nts. eGa
His boat is fifteen feet long, three
feet wide, and weighs sixty pounds
A provision Of the wager is that he is
to sleep and eat in or on tho boat
His supper here consisted of plate
Of turtle soup, eaten on bis boat in the
baggage car, but he says his usual diet
is bread without butter, beafsteak, and
water. Two men travel with him 10
attend TO his temporal wants, and
several persons who go incog. watch
his every move in the interest of the
parties who have bet against his
ability to perform the feat which he
has undertaken. His average run.
ming thus far has been twenty-eight
miles per day, but he expects 10 ma.
terially increase this distance aftor he
strikes the Ohio. Ho will begin his
journey from Pittsburgh down tho
river to.day.-Ahoona Tribune, Aug 5.