The Worcester spy. [volume] (Worcester, Mass.) 1898-1904, 1899-08-14
CRACK CYCLIST At "a.
Remarkable Journey Of a
Descendant of the
Draper Family.

James A. Rappe, S4 years old, of
AIarinette, Wis, veteran of the Sem
mole, Mexican and civil wars is now
en- route to Philadelphia to attend the
coming national encampment of the
Grand Army of the Republic, says the
Philadelphia Inquirer. Veteran Rappe
left Marinette on July 10 with the in
tention of covering the entire distance
to Philadelphia on wheel presented
| to him by his friends just before he left
home. So far his daily average dis
lance covered has been AZ miles, which,
considering the advanced age OF the
oyclist, is by no means bad record.
| Last year Comrade Rape walked
from his home to the Cincinnati en-
campment, a matter of over 600 miles.
This was probably the most remarkable
pedestrian journey ever undertaken
and carried out by a man of Mr.. Rap
pes advanced years.
He required just rs days for the
Jaunt, and when he arrived in Cincin-
matt he was almost as fresh and healthy
as when he left home. He had deter
mined to walk to Philadelphia this
year, but his friends considered that he
was a trifie too old to undertake it.
consequently the wheel was substitute
ed Tor shankS mare
| Mr.. Rape first acquired love for
long pedestrian journeys during the
Mexican war, through which he served
his country faithfully. During this war
Comrade Rape, as he loves to be
called, was frequently called upon to
| perform Ions marches under most IN
| favorable circumstances, but instead of
| faltering by the wayside, as did many
others in his regiment, he enjoyed the
| experience and never felt any the worse
for it. Indeed, marching long distances
appeared to agree with him to such an
extent that when others siekened and
ached from fatigue, he grew fat and
exceedingly healthy.
Mr.. Rappc in more ways than one,
is man in hundred. During his life
he has had a host Of interesting and
exciting experiences, and according ia
his own belief he is by no means
through making history yet although
| he is "a. He not only participated in
the Mexican war, but also in the Sem
mole Indian and civil wars, and des-
pite his advanced age, reads fine print
freely, and has never used glasses. He
declares that this is not second sight
with him. -Four weeks before he start
ed on his long walk he was under a
| doctors care, yet he declared himself,
when he arrived in Cincinnati, in fine
! fettle, and rs per cent better than when
he first started.
During the course Of a chat with Com
rade Rape the other day at his home
In Marfnette, just before he started on
his long Journey to Philadelphia, he re-
lated many interesting particulars re-
garding his exciting career.
'Well,' he said, by way of preface, a
never was in states prison, but the
/ RI 7 tax-
and several times in the guard house
not for good behavior. At Fort Brown
l was caught asleep on post, but it was
overlooked on account of my being sick
and having no sleep for some time, but
was liable to death or worse pun
ishment
My mother was of New England
stock. Her maiden name was Draper
ana her ancestors were revolutionary
soldiers and there was quite a num-
Der of them. My fathers family was
large, four boys and four girls. / was
the third boy My father died in 1921
and left us in poor circumstances. MY
mother died soon after We were Their
separated and have never been together
since. was bound out three times
but | always ran away. / wanted tc
see the world and did.
i worked hard and steadily until 6
SeaA aeO, WneH my shoulders gave out
and now | suppose / am loafer for thu
remainder of my life.
IN regard to my recent long walk Of
six hundred and thirty-dve miles ii
twenty eight days, l may say that
| undertook it in the first place because
desired to see some Of my old com.
rades of the civil war, and in the sec.
ond place, because am fond of walk
ing and because there was no other way
Of my arriving at my destination. as
l could not afford to pay my fare"