Amador ledger., 1907-08-30
COUNT RAGGlO, GLOBE
TR0TTER, In JACKSON.
Walks 10000 Miles for Wager of
$4,000, to be given to Charity.

| Hoiko ZV,UUU Mics lUT WoSCI vi
$4,000, to be given to Charity.
Count Salvatore Raggio, a scion of
noble family of Italy, arrived in
jackson early yesterday morning.
He told to Ledger reporter singu-
lar story of his travels and adventures
during the last six years. He carries
with him the documentary evidence.
in the shape of newspaper clippings
and manuscript credentials to confirm
the story of his long tramp of 10000
miles. He is young man, embued
with the love of adventure and travel,
and disclaims all idea of being actu-
ated by the hope OF catching rich
American heiress. In appearance and
attire he might pass for one OF the
peasants of his native land. He
speaks broken English sufficiently to
make himself easily understood,
having picked up all his practical
knowledge of the language since he
left Italy on his globe-tr citing miss
Ion of charity.
1t seems from his story, that early
In 1901, he with six others, made a
wager with certain persons who we're
able to make good, that he would
walk ~, 700 miles in three years from
the date of starting. His long Jour
ney was to embrace nine different
countries or nations, namely: Italy,
France, Germany, Portugal, Spain,
England, and North and South
America. The voyage in crossing the
ocean to America counted in the
three years, bat not IN the distance
travelled. He had to do the walking
exclusively on land, making up for
the time occupied in the sea voyage.
The wager, If won, was to be given
for the relief of the poor people OF
southern Italy, mainly the sufferers
by the disastrous eruptions OF
Vesuvius. Some idea of the arduous
nature of the undertaking may be had
when we say, that in order to win 1t
was necessary to walk on an average
IL miles per day. during the entire
three years, in addition making up
for the time lost on the sea voyage.
Other conditions were that he was to
start without cent in his pocket;
was not allowed to solicit aims in
money or provisions on the trip. He
was at liberty to ask only for water,
could take voluntary contributions,
and raise money by giving lectures,
if he so desired.
He started from Naples February l,
1901, and finished his 10000 mile
jaunt at Buenos Ayres, Argentina.
South America, January 1, 1904-just
one month ahead of time. The $40,
900 has been distributed according to
agreement, although the count him.
self had nothing to do with the handl-
ing of it. In fact, he has not seen
his native land since he lett over six
years ago.
Upon the completion of the wager, 4
he was of course at liberty to travel
any way he pleased. During his
wanderings, he collected autograph
letters from prominent men in the
different countries traversed to the]
number of $1,000. He reached San
Francisco on his homeward trip in
the spring of 1906. These manuscript
documents were treasured as valuable
material in the compilation of book
of his travels, the proceeds from the
sale of which he anticipated reapIng
a golden harvest. But the earthquake
and fire CT April Is found him a So
journer in San Francisco, and all
his records were burned in that dis
aster. Since that calamity he has re-
travelled over the United States, re-
placing as far as possible the docu-
ments destroyed by the fire. He has
gathered some 5000 letters and sigma
lures.
He is an honorary member of the
order of Elks, and it is likely that
he may arrange to give lecture be-
fore leaving Jackson. From here he
expects to go to Truckee, and hence
through northern California into
Oregon and British Columbia, and
through Canada to the Atlantic coast,
and hence to the starting point of
his long and eventful trip.