The Saint Paul globe., 1904-06-11
SALOONS DEPEND
ON GLOBE TROTTFR
Proprietors Wager Them That
Geer Can't Walk Around
World In Thirty Months

Fred Witt, who runs a saloon on
Jackson street, received a telegram
yesterday from Winona, announcing
the arrival in that city OF William j.
Geer, who is walking around the world
on a wager made by Witt with William
Sands, proprietor of saloon on WASH
ington street. Witt bet the trip could
be made and Sands bet it could not.
The men wagered their saloons, and
Feb. s, 1902, Geer started on the long
journey. He has until Aug. 8 to get
here and keep within the prescribed
time. but is expected to arrive before
the end of the present month He has
the game beat and is now taking things
easy
When Witt received the telegram
yesterday he bought drinks for every
pody In sight; then he called up Sands.
Do you want a job tending bar for
meT' Witt asked Sands. I'm coming
down to take possession~the first of the
month, and will want good man."
Then he informed Sands that he had
heard from Geer and told him where he
was. Sands admitted that things
looked bad for him, but he reminded
Witt that there was many slip 'twixt
tie cup anu the up.
Mere Step From Winona
When Sands left the telephone he
secured map and looked up the loca-
ton Of Winona. It was nearer St. Paul
than he thought; just a mere step for
man who had walked around the
world.
Hell make it sure-unIess he can
be lnnHRR6 n VOL l.
now on" Sands told his bartender. IT
wonder if it couldn't be fixed So"
Sands didn't finish the remark. He
packed grip and left word that he
was going out of town for day or
two. None of his friends knows where
he went, but Witt was suspicious last
night. and his suspicious were increas-
ed when second message came late
in the night stating that "Geer was
suffering from an liberated tooth and
would remain at Winona for treat
ment'
Now, you don't suppose that Bill
would be mean enough to-but. saw:
Geer Will get here in time for me to
win II have to go down there and
walk in with him." declared Witt
The trip made by Geer is the result
| OF an argument between Witt and
Sands. Witt said a man could walk
around the world in two and a half
years, and Sands laughed at the prop
osition. He said he would back his
Judgment with his saloon, and Witt
took him up.
Pushed Cart All the Way
Geer was young fellow who had
| nothing in particular on his hands and
he agreed to undertake the job. it be-
| ing understood that he was to be we'll
paid if ha made the Journey in less
than the stated time: if he failed he
| was to get nothing. He has now been
| on the road twenty eight months. and
| during all of the trip he has pushed a
| small cart, in which he carried his
| clothing and cooking utensils.
1t was understood that he was to
| make his way by begging, and in each
! town and city he was to stop and Sc
| cure certificate from the postmaster.
| certifying to his arrival there This
j he has done, and after a trip that
would be undertaken by but few men
| is within a few miles of the end
| When he left st. Paul it was during
| the coldest of weather, and the first
| few months of his journey westward
| were fraught with many hardshipS.
I After he became accustomed to the
walking and outdoor sleeping, he rath-
! er enjoyed it, and is said to be in the
! best of health. Geer tells many stories
| of exciting encounters, and the alb
| sence of an index finger is explained
| by his story of a fierce fight with
! Turk who attempted to pull down the
| small American flag attached to his
| cart.