Union County courier. [volume] (Elk Point, Union County, D.T. [S.D.]) 187?-1913, 1884-04-23
From Track to Easel.

Miss Bertha V,n H.llcrn has become
20 well known as an artist that her
fame rs pc :cstrienne is almost for
gotten; vet, it was by her exhibitions
Of physical endurance that she first
won f.mc. When She w"s n mere girl
at her on ct home in the X Inc valley.
much given to reading and 10 tramp
ing over the hills, she learned of The
United States. What most impressed
her was that the WON of this young
nation, SO swiftly bound ny to material
power and prosperity. were often fee
bic invslids, the beauty Of their youth
rapidly wrinkliny into cd age.
S'e re.cl~c .h.t she would come to
this country and, willie pursuing her
study Of art. devote two wears to show
iny the wives and maidcns OF Amcr.c ca
that not only phys.cal development
was possible for one OF their sex. . but
also the exercise Of will power and the
capacity 10 endure privation and suf-
fering for tho accomplishment Of an
end. 1t Was not then generally known
that Miss Won H llern's object was not
. mere exhih lion of bodily endurance.
for she was not strong above many of
her sex. but TO inspire her sisters with
courage to do great things, TO aspire to
high en's. the attainment of which
must involve scls-deniai, tirmness. ami
moral perseverance,. Snc declared to
herself that she would devote exactly
two years to this mission; that nothing
should swerve her from her purpose,
and that at the expiration OF that time
she would devote herself to art.
This resolution was carried out to
tho .e;ter. In every ci.y where she ap-
,-eared the brs, people went to see her
walk. Here in P.iiadelphia she became
very popular, and. scores of fine $50
ciety" ladies began taking long tramps.
Several times during her tour of the
country several rich women came to
her and cndeavored 10 dissua,le her
from walking more, offering to p.ace
an income ut her disposal if she would
at once begin painting. But she per-
sistentlv refused, and con iaucd her
weekly tramps until her two years were
ended, all the viii G, in her leisure mo-
men,s, devoting herself to the mastery
Of the details of painting. Sie also
acqu rel knowledge of sculpture. but
the work was too contin n /, to suit her
open-air tastes. Daring her long wax
In Boston Miss b. c~et was persuaded
by some friends to go to see ncr. TIE
two ladie, formed warm friendship,
which ultimately resulted in their ar
tistic partnership. When the two years
were ended, Miss Won II lcrn at onco
aband med tho rink for the palette. She
gave her last exhibition at Louisville,
Ky. and at once. without any 'l#re-
we'll to the public" began her work rs
An artist. She was followed on the
rink by other womcn walkers. but their
objects were not for moment to ue
compared TO hers.
In appearance, Miss Won Hiilern is
. thorough Saxon. Her blonde hair
surrounds an oval face Of clear COM
p.exiou. and her features indicate her
strength of character.
She is rs devout AS she is energetic.
During tho two years she walked she
says that shc never lost but two con-
tests ol cniurancs,' aud these were
when she ncg.ccted, before leaving her
room for trial. TO asx aid of y higher
power than her own. On one OF these
occasions she made tho omission pur-
posely, TO see whether it would affect
ner strength. and this may bc ioted
rs singn ar test Of the efficacy of
prayer. = lIttL.d d, h Pcss.