The daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Ind. Ter. [Okla.]) 1898-1902, 1900-01-19
A TRAMP BISHOP.
Episcopal Prelate Who Has Footed
5000 Miles just for the
Fun Of IL.

turned from his annual pedestrian tour.
lie tramped 220 miles along country
roads, over mountains and through a
desolate region OF southwestern Nir-
ginia, acquiring a rich coat Of sunburn
on his kindly face, and losing a few
pounds Of flesh from his rotund form.
He was away from Wilmington exact
" two weeks, II days Of which were
devoted to the tramp Of 220 miles. The
greatest distance travelled in any one
day was 80 miles; but the roads were
in no condition to add 10 the pleasures
Of a pedestrian tour. He did not travel
on Sundays, nor did he attend the
services in village churches, but he
sought the seclusion Of the woods
where he improvised an altar and said
the services Of the Protestant Episcopal
church. To persons whom he meets
while on these long walks through the
country Bishop Coleman is only an idler
and merely Coleman" TO the chance
acquaintance.
Bishop Coleman is GO years Of age,
and retains the vigor and activity of
youth. He attributes his remarkable
physical condition 10 his love for walk
ing. Since boyhood he has been fond
of walking, and with the exception of
very few years he has made an annual
tramp ever since 1861. He estimates
that he has covered 5000 miles in this
manner. While out in blizzard sew
eral years ago. he contracted a cold
in his left eye and lost the sight Oh it as +
a result of his fondness for pedestrian I
ism. When about the ordinary duties 1
Of his diocese Bishop Coleman is dig /
nified in appearance, yet democratic in
manner. He has round, smiling face
and probably is as widely known and
respected as any other Episcopal bishop
in the United States.
Wicn starting on his annual walk,
Bishop Coleman is transformed in APP
pearance. An old linen duster, that
has done service for many years. re-
places the cloth-of the church; rough
takes the place of his usual
neat attire; heavy walking shoes encase
his feet, and an old black. broad
5rimmed hat covers his head. An old
silver watch, with a black cord instead
Of chain, that it may not tempt thieves,
and a heavy cane. complete the equip
ment Of the tourist The bishop left
Wilmington On the morning OF feeptem-
Der last and made his way toward the
vilds Of Virginia. Just where he went ]
be viii not say, As PIE does not care to
smbarrass those whose hospitality be /
snjoyed incognito. He always travels
n this manner, and perhaps for the
irst time since he adopted this plan he s
vas recognized this year. Passing y
rom one room to another in a railway |
tation at his starting point, he heard L
ome one cry: Hello, bishop" Sur a
lrised, the bishop wheeled about, and Z
ecognized little girl whom he met at d
seaside resort in July last. He was Il
cquainted with the entire family, and Il
eclined an invitation to dinner, as he Y
esired to follow his itinerary. a
At the outset the bishop said he dis 0
overed new reason for travelling in Il
ognito. As he was reclining one after =
oon under the shade Of a schoolhouse. d
omewhat weary after a long days W
ramp, two passing horsemen saw him. a
That old fellows got big load on, I
eckon," remarked one of the horse W
zen, audibly CT
Lifelong abstainer as / have been.'' bl
le bishop said the other evening. Il fl
as the more amused because only a Il
w minutes before had approved of in
le sentiment of two men with whom Il
as in conversation that / would as IL
'on drink a quart of kerosene as a fiji
TART Of whisky" hc
Flooding along, the bishop met an tr
her pedestrian, an Austrian. who th
und delight in viewing the country
ON the road. This was the first time HI
the bishops career as a tourist that ha
met another person who was travel re
2 for the pleasure in it. A friendly SC
nversation followed. the bishop i'm M
rting information to the foreigner. A
10 was making his fist pedestrian Of
P IN this country. The first night. IN
e many others, was spent in a farm DO
use. The bishop raped at the door bu
d the man Of the house opened it. fai
e farmer was about TO give the
hop lodging for the night when his ro'
3e, from the head of the stairs.
rted parley with her husband and tr
supposed tramp. finally withdraw Up
al objections when she saw the IlI
aop's benign face. atcar housaft
nop vas asked frIet he iai 20 seH.