The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-01-12
KANSAS CLOWNS TASK.
wichita Man, With ventriIOqual
Figures viii Circumnavigate the
Globe, Earning $4,000.
From the Chicago Record.


From the Chicago Record.
Wichita, Kan, Jan. Just as the bells
are pealing out their midnight welcome to
the new year, George ]. Mold, the Wichita
ex-letter carrier, who is to circle the globe
on a $4,000 wager under the most remark
able conditions ever imposed upon a globe
trotter, will lay aside his citizens clothes
and don the grotesque regalia of a clown.
A veteran circus man will make him up
after the most approved fashion, two ven
triloqual figures-one a sable pickaninny
and the other the counterpart in minia-
ture of the jolly Irishman of the comic
stage-will be placed in his arms, and,
entirely penniless. he will go forth to win
one of the most remarkable wagers on
record.
''The Silent Circumnavigator," as he is
to be known, is not to hold converse with
any human being during the four years
through the medium of the ventriloqal
figures which he carries. Mold is an ac-
compliShed VentriloquiSt and his gift has
often been employed to mystify his fell
low passengers on train and in other pub
lie conveyances and to perplex acquaint-
ances who We're strangers to his second
self He Will have to return to Wichita
on or before the expiration of the four
years with $4,000 or it's equivalent, else
he win not receive a cent, even though
fully carried out. The condition is also
imposed that Mold shall furnish to Cash
Henderson-the well known business man
who makes the Wager-a bulletin every
day, giving his whereabouts and financial
condition. Robert +. Kinnaird, personal
friend of Henderson, has resigned his po-
sition with the Beacon to accompany
Mold as Hendersons representative, to
see that the conditions are fully COM
piled with. He is expected to assist Mold
In his labors and will wear citizens
clothes.
wager are those: At the Coronado club
recently Henderson, KinnSird and Mold
were discussing. some Of the notable
globe-trotters and their achievements,
when Mr.. Mold made the remark that al
most any man, with an outfit made up of
energy audacity and originality, could
doubly discount anything in that direc-
ton that had yet been done.
Il think you are mistaken" said Hen
derson Il think / can map out globe
trotting expedition whose accomplishment
is within the bounds of possibility, but
which no living man would have the cour-
age to undertake" He then outlined the
conditions, upon which he was willing to
wager $4,000 in support of his assertions.
Mr.. Mold revolved the possibilities in his
mind for a few seconds and then prompt
ly agreed to take the wager. Papers
were Immediately drawn up and before
| the parties left the club house their names
were appended to the document, which is
| as follows:
December A. D., 1895, in the city of
| Wichita, state of Kansas, u. s. A., be-
tween George J. Mold, to be known as
| the Silent Circumnavigator, party of the
| second part, and Cash Henderson, proplie-
tor of the New York store, party of the
| second part.
! .sWitnesseth: The said Silent Circr1m-
| navigator, George j. Mold, party of the
| first part, hereby agrees, for a wager Of
$4,000 offered by the party of the second
| part, to make tour of the world within
| four years, commencing Jan. 1, 1896, and
ending Jan. l, 1900, under the following
| conditions:
a. To start penniless and return 70
| Wichita, Kan, the starting point, before
| the expiration of four years with $4,000
| or it's equivalent.
"2. To be costumed as a clown and Ia
carry ventriloqual figure during the en-
| tire trip.
%. Not to speak during the entire trir
except to and through the said ventrilo-
| quail figure.
"a. Expenses Of the trip to be made by
| distributing advertising matter or samples
| of any description. Party of the first part
reserves the right to make any contracts
he may desire with any firm who may see
! fit to employ him as an advertising me-
| dium. to sell his autographs and photo
| graphs, to receive any donations rendered
| him by admirers or to engage in any hon
orable occupation of short duration while
en- route
IS. Party of the first part is to furnish
| party of the second part with a bulletin
daily, giving his whereabouts and finan-
cial condition.
sc. This contrast to be null and void II
any part of it shall be violated by said
| party of the first part.
! -. It is also agreed that Robert F. Kin
| naird shall accompany party of the first
part to assist him in his labors and also
| to see that all the conditions of this con
| tract are strictly adhered to-"
The wager has been the talk of the town
| ever since it was made public and has
| been widely commented on by the news
papers throughout the country People
| were at first inclined to regard the whole
matter as huge joke. They have since
hot
acted in good faith, and that the Silent
| Circumnaviga tor'' and his companion will
| start on scheduled time, according to
| agreement. Mr.. Hendefson's commercial
standing is in itself a sufficient guaranty
that the wager will be promptly paid il
| won.