The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-07-30

This re- markable little lady, who makes her
debut among us at City Hall, today. is native
OF Ffeiburg, Germany, came to this country one
and half years ago, and has but little knowl-
edge of our language. At home, like most
German girls she devoted much of her time to
outdoor exercise. She Joined heartily in the
numerous walking excursions over the beanti-
full country roads, and never failed to carry off
the prize in the more prolonged efforts where
endurance was the chief requirement. Locat-
ing in Chicago, she entered at once upon the
labor of converting American ladies to her
theory. Her astonishing pedestrian feats de-
veloped condition of phys endurance that
puzzled the scientists and revolutionized the
hardships. A few months later, in that aris-
tocratic ediice-Boston Music Hall-the little
German walked straight into the affections of
Beacon street, and the bellies of South Bay
split their two, three and four button gloves in
rapturous applause. Physical culture was the
social subject of conversation, and the suburbs
were thronged. with amateur pedestrians.
Horse cars were not to be tolerated, while the
very mention of an omnibus was looked upon
school girls-muscle rvaling that of a finished
athlete, such as the little Won Hillern possessed
They saw that this petite being, weighing
scarcely LOG pounds had taken the gift that
Providence had allotted her, and had perse.
vered in and perfected it at cost of labor and
self-denial, and modest earnestness, that had
made of this humble gift great and noble one
-onegr enough to fill select Boston audi
ence with almost wild enthusiasm. Among
the ladies she was looked upon as the evangel
of their sex. During her great $50 mile walk,
Music Hall presented the singular spectacle of
ladies sitting up all night to cheer their little
favotite by their presence. In figure she is
slight and small, with the rare combination of
golden hair and dark eyes, combining the
primitive temperament of the blonde with
something of the keener nerve of the darker
type Shells a surprise to all who look upon
her for the first time, for the stranger has pic
tured an entirely different person.. Instead of
an amazon, he sees before him petite being
scarcely five feet in height, picture of health,
and with form SO muscular and compact as to
denote strength in every movement.
This young lady arrived here from New
port Saturday, and during the afternoon and
eveningiseveral of our physicians called upon
her at the PrebleiHouse. A delegation of her
lady friends will arrive from Boston this noon
to cheer their little favorite through the walk.
In conversation with our reporter, Miss Won
Hillern was non-committal as to. thelresult; in
deed it is said that she never asserts positively
the accomplishing of any extraordinary feat.
There was just..a shadow of anxiety upon her
countenance atisour mention of the warm
weather, but those familiar with her remark
able Twill power" believe she will walk the fifty
miles without break. Her fastest mill will
doubtless be during the afternoon, although
it will be. seen that the entire distance must be
walked in less than fifteen minutes per miles
The only nourishment she will take is beef tea,
which must be taken while walking and with
out loss of time. Miss Won Hillern's manager
has received number Of applications from
ladies DESTROYS of accompanying the little stran-
ger, but this will depend upon circumstances.
Should the conditions of the walker be favar-
able and Miss Won Hillern be quite on time,
she will be pleased to have company. Should
anything occur to render the result doubtful,
she will be forced to travel alone. In view
of the crowd viii CHI may be expected in the
evening, it would be well for ladies and all
who can to attend in the afternoon. She will
start promptly at II o'clock, when her twelve
hours commences, and those who wish to see
the start should not fail to bs on time. AT the
close of the exhibition the horse cars will leave
for all parts of the city.