The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-08-01
DAKOTA BOB IN TOWN.
He Tells of his Tramp Across the
Continent.

01AA'AMtAAte
Dakota Bob, known throughout the
country as the man who has been trav-
cling in all parts Of the nation, arrived
in this city yesterday morning, complet-
Ing tour which he began at Portland,
Oregon, on last Christmas day. In four
years and seven months he has walked
81, 400 miles. The trip which he finished
yesteria was made on wager between
John Mills of the COLLEEN Gate Athletic
club of San Francisco, Cal and Billy
Lee of the Wavsrly Athletic club OF
YonkerssN. W The wager as Tor 49,
900 and Mills bet Lee that "Dakota Bob
could make the distance in eight months.
Dakota Bob says that he could have
arrived in this city week ago had 1t
been necessary
This famed traveller is a queer charac-
ter and he attracted a great deal of auten-
ton in Portland yesterday. He is dressed
much like the cow boy and his long,
wavy hair and big sonbrero makes him
a conspicuous figure in any place. AL
most the first thing that he did after ar
irving was to call upon Mayor Robinson n,
the postmaster and other officials and
secure their autographs. These were
written in book which also contained
signatures of the same officials IN all of
the other cities and towns which this
tourist has taken in. All over his coat are
tackled medals and buttons of all descrip-
tions.
II have had a great trip. said Bob
as he sat at Smiths hotel last evening.
lit has been quite an experience, but is
not entirely new to me as three times
in this same way. Although l am not
so very tired, l am glad that 1t Is at last
completed and as neared Portland this
morning after leaving Saco at O'Clock,
could not help crying for joy. The
people of Maine have been especially kind
to me Landlord Smith has invited me
to stay here until L leave tomorrow for
couple of days stay at Old Orchard.
Then I shall come back to Port1 and, take
the boat for Boston and then proceed
slowly to Yonkers and then TO my home
in Buffalo, n. Y. I get one half of the
money which has been wagered. Twenty
two years ago ! graduated from the High
school at Buffalo and then entered Cor
nell university. 1 remained at Cornell
for about a year and a half when, firing
of my studies, I determined to see the
west. L suited the action to the word
Since then I have been travelling al
most all Of the time. But when left
home 1 solemnly promised my mother
that would not tell my real name to
anybody. 1 got this name by which I am
known, from Buffalo Bill, for whom I
worked t hree years. When 1 started out
from Portland, Oregon, on Christmas day
I had not a cent in my pocket. But now
I have quite roll which 1 have secured
by making original designs out of com
mon newspapers and selling them TO the
people about the hotels and at meetings
of lodges and societies. have on the
fourteenth pair OF shoes since beginning
my trip. have not been sick day,
which is remarkable, as have drank all
kinds of water and eaten almost all
kinds of food.
MY trip was over to San francisco,
through the snow sheds to Wyoming,
through Iowa to ST Paul, to Indian
apolis, to Terre Haute, to Toledo and then
to Sandusky, Ashtobuloa Cleveland,
Erie and Buffalo. Here I stopped two
days to see my mother. Then continued
on down through Rochester, Utica and
New Yok City ana then through Connec-
ticut and Massachusetts. In the West
/ followed the railroad track, but while
in the East went along the roads. Right
here / wish to say that Maine is all
right except in the matter of roads.
This is my first visit to this State. My
average distance has been q miles in "a
hours. In Iowa 1 made the best time,
going IS miles in "a hours. was we'll
prepared for the "trip, as [ took pains to
carry with me blankets AMI mackin-
toshes so as to be all right whenever
storms should come up. On the trip I
have stopped at some of the finest hotels
in the country, many OF them refusing
to take any money from me.
ST have been in every state and terri
tory in the country with the exception
of Vermont. and you can bet your bottom
dollar that I viii get up there before
long so that can have the postmark
of some Vermont town sadded to my list.
Although like Col Bryan whom l have
twice met, and whose signature is in my
book, believe that this country has pros
pered under the Mckinley administration
and that the Republican ticket will win
in the coming election"
dakota Bob had an interesting
GROUP about him all day Yesterday and
last evening at Smiths, and the crowd
was well entertained by his lively
stories.
MAINE PATIENTS.