Stevens County tribune. (Morris, Minn.) 1877-1880, 1879-04-17
A WONDERFUL RUNNER.
From Parts to 1EOscoac in Thirteen Days
and Eighteen HoMrs-Beatissg the Mount
ed Coasrters-A Trip to the Sources of the
Nile.

From Parts to 1fOscoaC In Thirteen Days
and Eighteen DEMONSTRATING the Mount
ed COas4ters-A Trip to the Sources of the
Nile.
New York Times.l
The present interest in pedestrianism,
manifested by the gathering of throngs of
people to witness walking and running
matches, was equally great in the early part
of the century, but was then excited by the
wonderful and almost incredible perfor-
mances of one man. This was Mensen
Ernst, born in Bergen, Norway, on Oct. 49,,
1899. He was the son of sea captain, and
when still boy entered the English navy.
Although his powers as runner were dis
played even in his boyhood, he had made
three voyages to the East Indies, and had
completed three-years' cruise on the frigate
Caledonian, before he made public exhibit
ton of them, which he did by
running race in London when 10 years old
Though up to this time he had had no train
ing, and had even lacked q pedestrians Or
binary opportunities for muscular develop
ment, he was famed throughout the navy as
a runner, and wonderful stories as to his ex-
traordinary powers circulated among all the
branches of the service. At last heavy sum
of money was wagered by the officers of his
ship that Mensen would run from London
to Portsmouth, distance of seventy three
miles, in less than ten hours. The feat was
attempted and accomplished, the dis
lance being covered by the
young sailor in exactly nine
hours. Shortly afterward he ran from Lon
don to Liverpool, distance of $50 miles, in
80 hours. Although thus successful as q
runner, Mensen did not quit the sea until
after having distinguished himself by
bravery in the battle of Navarind, fought
October 20, 1927. Soon after that date he
became a professional runner, and, after
winning a number of lesser matches, was in
duced to undertake the great feat of running
from Paris to Moscow. He started from the
Place Vendome at o'clock in the afternoon
of June IL, 1881, and entered the Kremlin
at 10 o'clock A. M. of June 25, having ac-
complished the distance of /, 700 in 10 days
and Is hours.
This feat created a decided sensation
throughout Europe, and the employment of
Mensen as a courier extraordinary by kings
and princes, became a popular amusement
in European courts. He ran from country
to country, and from court to court, bearing
messages Of congratulations, coincidence, or
dispatches of great Importance, and when
ever matched against the regular mounted
courtiers easily succeeded in beating them.
He always carried with him map, COM
pass, and as many biscuits and ounces of
raspberry syrup as there were to be days
occupied on the journey. In winter he took
with him pair of long, slender, Norwegian
snow shoes, and in travelling he always
chose the most direct line, turning out
neither for mountains nor rivers, but climb
ing the one and swimming the other. He
never walked, but invariably ran, keeping up
long, swinging lope for hours at time
without rest. His only refreshment was one
biscuit and an ounce of raspberry syrup per
day, and two short rests of 10 or Is minutes
each in "a hours. These rests he took while
standing and leaning against tree or other
object of support. At such times he covered
his face with his handkerchief and slept, and
after such nap he would pursue his way
apparently as refreshed as though he had
slept for hours. He was very uneasy when
compelled to be quiet, and could not sit still
for half an hour without feeling senss of
suffocation. He was very amiable man, a
favorite with all who knew him, and was
made much of by his royal patrons.
In 1888. he started from Munich at l p.
M, June 9TH, with dispatches from the King
of Bavaria to his son Otto, King Of Greece.
These dispatches we're delivered at Nauplia
at 9 a. NJ. on July LIST; or seven days sooner
than if they had been sent by the regular
post. In 1886, while in the employ of the
British East India company, Mensen was
charged with the conveying of dispatches
from Calcutta to Constantinople through
Central Asia. The distance is 5,615 miles,
which the messenger accomplished in fifty
nine days, or in one-third of the time made
by the swiftest caravan. On this won
derful journey he made his way
across terrible deserts, awful salt