The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-04-19
THE WHEEL.
The Stupend0us Undertaking OF Stew
ems, the Cyelist.
A Trip of 10000 Miles, Through Europe
and Asia.
Boston Herald. ]

clist and the suthsr of the series of papsrsen
titled across America on q Bicyle," the
first of which appeared in the April number
Of the Outing los gazine has been in Boston
during part Of last week. At the recent re-
ception of the Massachusetts, Bicycle Club
rumors were afoat to the effect that Mr..
Stevens contemplated the clrcumvolutlon of
the globe, astride the "whirling wheel"
With this rumor wss another, that Mr.. Stew
ems would make this unprecedented journey
under the auspices of the Outing. magazine.
Accordingly q representative of the Her
aid called On Mr.. w. B. Rowland,
the treasurer, at the cosey rooms OF
Outing, on fremont street. In
answer 10 the reporters rather direct ques-
tion. Mr.. Rowland admitted that the rumors
were substantially true, and suggested that,
as Mr.. Stevens was in the Office, perhaps the
idea OF the now definitely decided upon jour
ney. Mr.. Stevens was called and introd uced.
In personal appearance, he is somewhat bs-
low the average height but of substantial
build, with broad shoulders, strong frame
and muscles q rosy and tan complexion, and
genial face. He readily impaired the in
formation desired.
Il understand, Mr.. Stevens, that you have
decided TO make the journey around the
globe on bicycle"
"Yes, or rather 70 complete my tour, for 1
have already ridden about 3 500 miles of
II, on my wheel. from San Francisco to
Boston,"
when do you propose to Start. Mr..
Stevens ?'
II shall sail on the steamer City of Chi
cage, from New York, on April 8 for LIVER
pool. On my arrival at that city shall spend
several days il visiting friends. TIE formal
start will be made about May l."
hat eoui pmant will rOu carry 2ii
I'm the first place, l shall take my 90 inch
expert Columbia, or rather 1t will take me.
/ shall use the best long distance saddle shall
carry change of clothing, a light rubber
coat and writing materials, al securely fas-
tened TO the machine. l shall depend upon
purchases en- route for needed supplies'
Can you give the readers of the Herald g
fairy correct idea OF your journey and
THE PRINCIPAL POINTS
you will touch?'
II think so. but like the weather, ii Will be
subject to change"
I'VE will take il on that besis."
III shall wheel from Liverpool to Dover, sail
ACROSS the straits of Dover, land at Calais,
wheel to Paris, through France ard Germ sny
TO Vienna, through Austria and Turkey and
via the valley of the Danube to Constantine.
pie, cross over to ScutA ri, in Asiatic Turkeg,
touching at ErZeroum and ether points a
Persie. expect TO reach Teheran, the capt
tai OF Persia, some time IN the fall. shall
probably winter 81 that city or az Bokhara,
Turkestan. l hope to resume my journey
early in the spring. / shall wheel into the
Chinese empire, and attic mpt to 20 through
the empire, via the valley Of the Yang Use
kiang to Shanghai. l may be obliged TO
materially change this course, Tor We h1ve
no authentic guide, or the definite expert
ences OF travellers, to work out the probable
reception Of the natives, or many unforeseen
diff pn1ffoa fey CrOcaiyar tia ftnir,pza I'm.
pire / shall proceed ID Japan. and there
shall end my wheel ride, having made the
entire land journey around the gtob3 on &
bicycle. l shall take steamer for San Fan.
cisco, and probably stop over one steamer 81
Sandwich Islands"
How loag do you expect it will take
your
II anticipate it will require abou Eighteen
months, out Of which about one year will be
upon the read"
And the wheeling distance will be"
Nearly 10000 miles actual wheeling
which, added to about 8, 800 miles ia cross
ing America, will bring the total distance or
bicycle up to over probably $1,000 miles
at least.'
DO ycu not expect to undergo hardship'
and priva ions?'
Perhaps so; but, even il they were def
itely assumed, should not hesitate. | in
tend to go
AROtED Inn NOkLb ON n hANlNLns
and shall do so. or else, IS the playwrish I
say. perish In thu attempt.
BIT suppose your bicycle gives out?'
Perhaps it may. bot that is the least o.
| the supposable difficulties. I rode Stand
srd Columbia in my transcntinental trip
and the machine is substantially as strong AZ
1t ever va and the roads over the Rockies
ought to be enough to wear on any ordinary
machine"
But the natives, the savages, the heather
ChineeP'
II am not afraid of them. I have had 6
little experience with North American n
cians, and ] guess the heathens OF other lands
/ are not any wOTse."
viii you kindly give me a little sketch
Of your life?"
Il suppose that il is of % use to refuse
preventative of the Herald. / was born in
Gra at BeTkhamstead, Hertfordshire, Eng
on Christmas, 1855. am unmarried, aue
my father aud mother ara both alive, aud al
present are living near Kansas City, No
anne over to the United States in 1871
landed at New York City, and went st once
30 Missouri where had a brother. l worked
with him On his farm several wears. Foul
years ago emigrated to Wyoming Terrific y
a I'D was in the employ OF ths UoIon Pacific
railroad rolling mills. Having q natueal
love for adventure, and desiring to write 40
the journey for some magazine or papst
contemplated making bicycle trip from tie
Pacific IN the Atlantic I went to San Fan
cisco, and there began TO prepare fo- ant
! journey. / purchased Standard COlunhiG
bicycle and. after becoming fairly gooC
rider, siarted upon my tour. You know
the rest"
One question more. You 60 under fhc
] auspices of the Outing Magazine?
Yes; they psy the entire expense OF the
| journey. / shall write for them a series o.
q dozen or more papers, which will De illus
tTated with epgravings made from skelche,
/ and photographs from along the ronte
shall probably inspect places and people ia a
few white men have ever beheld, and conse
/ ouently my papers must describe scanes ID
/ incidents exceedingly novel add interesting
and perhaps of nature which YOU newsoa
/ per men would call exclusive
After assuring Mr. Stevens that be hsC
his best wishes for q highly successful ind ar
fEr ha &c parfar urffhdroU