The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-22
IE HAS REACHED PANAMA.

No one ever thought that Antonio Benz.
the erratic Young Austrian, who in 1892
announced his foOihardv Intentions of
walking from the city of Buenos Avres, in
the Argentine Republic. TO Chicago. would
ever accomplish the feat. But Judging
from what the. passengers on the San Juan
from Panama say, the Panama adviceS
and the documentary evidence that has
been brought up On the ship, addressed to
tie Berlin Museum, Benz really has come
pretty near winning his wager, for he has
got as far as Panama at least, reaching
there on the 30Jh of April.
BEN has letters and books 10 which are
written statements from people all along
his line Of march. testifying TO the fact
that the Austrian has passed through
their several provinces on foot Other
wise his story seems almost incredible.
% On August Z. 1892, word was sent out
from Buenos Ayres stating that Benz was
about to try to make Chicago overland.
People laughed at the idea, saying that it
you'd be i'm possible for any one to make
(fe Journey, so far as the South American
Mend of it was concerned at least The
Austrian does say in his report that he
crossed certain mountains on muleback,
and this is chalked against him on the
reckoning board.
BEN on arrival at Panama showed a
complete journal of his experiences. du-
plicate of which was yesterday forwarded
to Europe, as stated. The book noted that
two companions accompanied Benz on his
trip as far as Bolivia and then gave up in
despair. Benz kept right ahead. and swOre
he would reach the Windy City in spite of
all obstacles that might impede his on
ward march.
The Austrian is not mentioned as being
humorlst, but be mentioned in a sort OF
a facetious way that he walked through
dozen revolutions ana political uprisings
during the time OF his travels"
On the 18th day of October, 1892, the
Bolivian frontier was reached, and on the
9th day of January, 1898. the Peruvian
border was passed.
The people of Lima received and enter
tanned the hardy pedestrian, and for ten
&GayS he was their guest. He had changed
Very little in appearance after his long
march, and his health was perfect. He
determined not to stay any longer at Lima,
as be wanted 10 make the north coast of
Peru as quickly as possible. The stretch
of country between Lima and Huacho
was, for the most part. arid. 1t was a ter
rlble test Of physical endurance when the
arid plains of Huacbo were reached.
WeaI5s footsore and somewhat III. the
advek trous traveller finally entered
Huach3.
a stay of two days was all that was
made, guide hired and a course laid out
for st. Nicholas.
1898. Here Benz rested for three weeks.
preparatory to striking out for Huaras a
distance of 100 miles, over a rough
country. h took nine days to gel to
Huaras and fifteen days more to make
COrenZo.
Benz wanted to see the sights as we'll as
Igave an experience. He had heard a
Hreat deal about the famous mineral
springs of Cajamaco and determined 10 go
a short distance out Of his road to visit
them.
From Caiamaco the tramp struck along
the mountains, and for several months
was lost among them so far as communi-
cation with he outside world was con-
ceTned. He got into Quito, Ecuador, on
October 4, and after being received by
several persons of state and the proprie-
tor OF an EcuadOran newspaper, who
secured him passports, he moved on to
Tulcan, province in the north of the
republic.
1t was not until January 5, 1894, that
BEN got into Bogota. where he purchased
pair of buTros and arranged to continue
his walk along the banks Of the Cauca
River. several leagues from the capital.
Bem's adventures on the banks of the
Cauca were somewhat thrilling. Once he
was attacked by two native desperadoes.
who accused him Of being spy against
A%he Government and wanted to do away
with him on the spot. But for the timely
Interference of the province soldiery he
would probably have been slaughtered.
The Austrian used various means to
avoid the bad roads of Ecuador and Co
Iombia, and came to Panama in pretty
we'll used-up condition. He had MADE
515O miles during the two years of his
travels, and said that when once clear of
Central America he would have no trouble
at all in reaching Chicago. From Panama
he will 90 10 San Jose de Costa Rica.
thence along the coast TO the Mexican
frontier.
Why Benz is sacrificing himself for the
sake of nOtorlety is not very definitely eX-
planned. He is said to be a man of means
and has spent nearly $4,000 so far to aid
him in winning. Money was sent to him
from his agents at different places along
the line Of his tramp
BEN was to leave Panama about the 18th
of the month. He expects to waste an
other year before he sets foot in the me-
Fopolis Of the western United States.