Birmingham state herald., 1896-08-21
WARD THROWS II UP The Trip Over Four Continents
 Is Abandoned. STAKES FORFEITED TO HIM His Father Probably at the Bottom-He Had Two Thrilling Adventures and Three
 Chances to Marry
STAKES FORFEITED TO HIM


 who arrived in the city few days ago on his trip around the world, was a call- CT at the State Herald office yesterday.
 Like nearly every one who comes to Birmingham" began the reporter, your stay indicates that you are in love with our city and dislike to leave."
 "I do like your city" said MT. Ward, but my stay here has not been due al- together to that.
 "The parties al interest have made me a proposition to settle the wager and abandon the trip and I have accepted it.
 "The conditions were as you have pulp 1ished, that 1 should make the trip around the world in two years and eight months, using no more than five of the horse kind, go alone, drive on four con- tinents, start without money and be self sustaining all the way, and marry lady who must be worth in her own right $2000. The amount posted was 5000, and purse of $2700 additional was put up by the sporting men of Ogden as an in- centiVe for me to make the trip as early as possible My itinerary as mapped out was through Texas, Louisiana, Mis- sissippi. Alabama and to New York, passing through some of the principal cities and towns. In these cities and towns l was required to obtain from the mayors or notaries public a description of myself with an official seal attached, and forward same to the parties at Og- den From New York I should have sail ed to Queenstown and on to Liverpool and London, thence to Naples, through Europe, Africa, Asia. Australia and New Zealand and back to San Francisco, travelling on horseback or in vehicle when necessary to pass through the in- terior as mapped out, which would re- quire only five changes of horses to ac- complish
 'As stated when I reached Birming- L., f1, ffaI Nff a-ia, to forfeit the stake money of $5000 if l would abandon the trip, which l accept ed"
 What reason was given for wanting you to abandon the trip?'
 They did not say, but I think my father is at the bottom of it, as he pro tested against my making the trip. am the only child, and my father is alone He has two large horse ranches on the Elkhorn, Platte Valley, Neb., where l was raised, I left the old gentleman against his wishes when I was 25 years old, and he told me not to come back to live any more until l was able to buy him out I have had considerable ex perience in an effort to make the money lto buy him out. and at one time had 1t In my fingers, but it passed out in specula- tion and I am left at the foot of the lad der again, and that is why I wanted to take this trip-not only wanted the money but thought the information thus obtained would be worth much to me. q visited my father just before leay- ing and told him my intentions, and he insisted that l come back home. and l told him I was under a forfeit and could not do so. Hence I am satisfied he is at the bottom of the proposition that shall abandon the trip, and have concluded to do so. I like Birmin gham. and if can find something to do think will re- main here aWhile--may possibly con cude to locate here.
 ",rhe reason I first left home was that I was born and reared on the ranch. and became tired of it and wanted to do something else"
 Did you have any adventures on your trip here?"
 well, yes. I was on the road seven months. and travelled something over 5000 miles, making the entire distance in that buggy there, and hauled by that same little gray mare you see. And, by the way. there Is not better piece Of horse flesh today in the country. l could nave made the trlp easily 10 New York.
 .'About my adventures. l had only two that you might say were close calls. I took up a Mexican tramp below Lare- do, Tex, who was foot-sore and weary, to rest him. and reaching a shack on the roadside I got out of my buggy to get some water at wsll, he following me. While drinking from the bucket with my back to him, I heard something spring like knife, when I quickly turn ed. only to see a keen-bladed dagger raised to be plunged into my back Throwing my hand to my hip, l looked my would be assailant in the eyes, only to see him break for the mesquite, yell ing "Dont shootiP
 My next experience was in Louisiana It was In the plney woods ana among class of people known as the red bones, Ihad stopped for the night and stretched my hammock and was resting. though not asleep. I have a Gordon setter dog that has been my companion througnout the trip. I heard my dog growi ano' carefully raising my head, saw two Hieu approaching, pistols in hand. The moon was shining brightly and they would lump behind trees to prevent being dis- covered in case I was aroused l dlseoV- cred their movements and, grasping my gun that stood near my head l Wafted patiently for developments When they were within few yards and stationed still behind trees l called to them 10 come out; that my gun was we'll chargeu, had been thor ughly tested ana would kill the first man who attempted to run. They came out and, although l was somewhat nervous over the situation, l made them an impressive speech and closed by advising them to move in haste and telling them if they troubled me aeain what I would do for them. They left post haste and much to my comfort. However, I could have easily killed them before they could have harmed me.
 Did you find any of those $2Oo0 heiresses on the trip?"
 ''Yes. | had three propositions from la dies who had read of my contemplated journey, one in San Antonio. one in Houston and one in New Orleans. The New Orleans lady is an heiress, indeed. owning large property in New Orleans and several big farms. l only listed them and was awaiting the winding up of my tourney on that line"
 MT. Ward said that he made his ex- penses by selling his photographs' and writing for the papers. He was sporting editor on the Omaha Bee two years and held a similar position on the Sporting Journal of Denver six years.
 Decline of the Reserve.
 Washington, Aug. 20.--The treasury gold reserve declined today to S1C3, 932,-