Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-10-18
|. N. PHELPS GLOBE TRO1IER
Arrived in the City Yesterday on His
Tour of the World.
He is Attempting to Win a Novel
Wager, and Will Leave for South
Administrations Young An
nounces Official Batting Aver
ages All Americas Defeat Ealti-
more-Other Sporting Matters.

Il had no idea it was so far around"
said Frank NJ. Phelps, globe trotter, in
the Register office last night, "or l would
not have started"
Phelps stands six feet high and looks
much taller. He wore a nobby plug hat,
and long light colored overcoat, which
when unbuttoned. revealed a shirt with
the words Around the World on the
breast. He weighs 1s5 pounds When
he started on his journey a little over two
years ago, he weighed 60 pounds more
and he must have been magnificent spec
linen of physical manhood. Just now he
is suffering from a physical ailment. but
he has genuine Yankee pluck, and is de-
termined to complete his journey and win
the wager which is made with some cas-
tern club men.
The wager was for 50 e1e conditioned
upon Phelps surfing without a cent, and
without clothes, and after circling the
globe and visiting certain cities, return
ing to New York with not less than $1,000
the money to be made without borrowing.
begging or stealing. The start was made
July 4th, 1895. Phelps has yet to visit
Mexico and South America, going as far
south as Buenos Ayres.
Phelps started out with a paper suit
made of newspapers and paste. but soon
exchanged these for other clothes. He
went to Liverpool, thence to Spain.
France, Italy, Belgium, Germany. Rus
STA, Egypt, Afghanstan, India, China.
Japan and thence across the Pacific 10
California. After leaving that State he
went through Texas and then north to
Canada. Phelps will remain in Wheeling
a few days, and then visit several Ohio
cities, including Cleveland, his home, He
will return to Wheeling with a new-fan-
gled bicycle. upon which he will start for
the south and Mexico
Phelps is compelled by the terms of his
wager to ride 1900 miles by bicycle on
each continent, but is also permitted 10
use steamers and railroads He raises
his money, to use his own expression, by
working everybody / can" He is full OF
schemes and ideas. and proposes to sell
his new tangled wheel through the south.
at a profit Of $50 on each sale He has
done profitable business in the sale of
Asiatic coins and curos. having an es-
pecially good demand for Japanese shoes
Of straw. He has yet to earn $500 and feels
confident of doing it,
Phelps is chock full of good stories of
his adventures, and is a very entertain
ing talker While riding in Russia, south
OF Moscow, he was arrested for wearing
an unconventional costume including an
American flag around his waist. He was
in Jail for several days. He has a CON
tempt for Russia and the institutions of
the Gar but was particularly pleased
with the scenes along the Rhine in Ger
many. He was also very enthusiastic
about Japan and the kind manner in
which he was treated in the land of the
Mikado. He rode through a portion of
the Greet Desert in Africa, on the back
OF a camel, with the thermometer regis
terlng 40 degrees. In India he ate horse
meat and liked it. He compared the wes-
tern part of the United States to the east
to the disadvantage Of the former
Phelps has done everything to earn
money, and will continue doing so. His
clippings include a number from F,uro-
pean newspapers, and by the terms of his
wager ne secured statements from Of
ficials of different cities, railroad agents
cts.