Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1879-05-16
Aswondsrfhl Runner.
FROM PARIs 70 MOSCOW IN THIRTEEN
DAYS AND EI0HTREN HOURS.

The present interest," in pedestrianism,
manifested by the gathering of throngs
of people to witness walking and run
ming matches. was equally great in the
early part Of the century, but was then
excited by the wonderful and almost
incredible performances Of one man.
This was Mensen Ernst, born in Ber-
gen, Norway. on October 10, 1899. He
was the son of sea captain, and when
still boy entered the English navy.
Although his powers as runner were
displayed even in his boyhood, he had
made three voyages in the East Indies,
aud had completed three years cruise
on the frigate Caiedonian, before lie
made public exhibition of them, which
he first did by running race in London
when nineteen years old. Though up
to this time he had had no training, and
had even lacked pedestrians ordinary
opportunities for muscular develop
ment, he was famed throughout the
navy as runner, and wonderful stories
as to his extraordinary powers circu-
lated among all 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 accom-
plished, the distance being covered by
the young sailor in exactly nine hours.
Shortly afterward he ran from London
to Liverpool, distance of $50 miles, in
80 hours Although thus successful as a
runner, Mensen did not quit the sea
until after having distinguished himself.
by bravery in the battle of Navafino,
fought October 20, 1927. Soon after
that date he became professional run
ner, and after winning a number of
lesser matches was induced to under
take the great feat of running from
Paris to Moscow. He started from the
Place Vendome at four o'clock in the
afternoon of June IL, 1881, and en-.
tered the Kremlin at ten o'clock, A. NJ,
on June 25th, having accomplished the
distance of 1850 miles in 10 days and
Is hours.
This feat created decided sensation
throughout Europe, and the employ
ment Of Menser as courier extraordi-
nary by the Kings and Princes became
popular amusement in European
courts. He ran from country to coun-
messages of congratulation, coincidence,
or dispatches of greater importance,
and whenever matched against the
regular mounted couriers easily sue
ceeded in beating them. He always
carried with him map, a compass, and
as many biscuits and ounces of rasp-
berry syrup as there were to be days
occupied on the journey. In winter he
took with him q 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 climbing the one and swim
ming the other. He never walked, but
invariably ran, keeping up long,
swinging lope for hours at time with
out rest, His only refreshment was \
one biscuit and an ounce of raspberry
syrup per day, and two short rests of
10 or 10 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 q handkerchief and slept,
and after such a 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 sense of suf.
location. He was o very amiable man,
favorite with all who knew him, and
was made much of by his royal patrons.
In 1882, he started from Munich at
p. NJ, June 9th, with dispatches from
the King of Bavaria to his son Otto,
King Of Greece. These dispatches
were delivered at Nauplia at 8 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 CONSTANT
nople through Central Asia. The dis
lance is 5615 miles, which the messen.
ger accomplished in 80 days, or one
third Of the time made by the swiftest
caravan. On this wonderful journey
he made his way across terrible deserts.
awful salt swamps, where, for hundreds
through countries whose inhabitants
were savage robbers, and who lived in
state of continual warfare. The man
seemed invested with supernatural
powers, and his fame spread far and
W1ucs OuS OI Tue mOSC interesting
problems of the age being the discovery
of the sources of the Nile, it was sug-
gested that this wonderful man be
employed to follow the course of the
river to its sources, and thus determine -
them. Prince Puckler Muskan, who
had himself travelled extensively in
Egypt, and had made several unsuc-
cessful attempts to penetrate to the
headwaters of the Nile, offered to de-
fray all expenses and reward Mensen
handsomely If he would undertake
the trip. The indefatigable runner
consented to make the attempt, and on
May IL, 1842, set out from Muskan, in
Silesia, whence he ran to Jerusalem,
where he had some business to attend
to. Thence he continued his way to
Cairo and up tho western bank of the
Nile, through Lower and Middle and
into Upper Egypt. Here. just outside
Of the village Of Syane, he was seen on
the morning of January %, 1S43, to
stop and rest, leaning against palm