The Ocala evening star. [volume] (Ocala, Fla.) 1895-1943, 1908-04-25
AROUND THE UNION
StarI Crowley, a Toledo, Ohio, Man, is
Following the Border Line
Afoot
Jacksonville Metropolis, 24th1

Tramping around the border line of
the United States, Starl Crowley. d
Toledo, o., pedestrian, arrived in this
city this morning at $3.50 o'clock.
Crowley Is another one of the numer-
Gus travellers who attempts to do feats
c. walking stated distances for a cash
rrize contributed by sporting men,
Crowley left Toledo on October rs,
1907, and must walk around the bor-
der line of the United States. or as
rear as possible thereto, within two
years and eight months. If he COM
pletes the trip in the time allotted
Crowley will be given cash prize of
$4,000 by the sporting men Of Toledo,
readed by Cyrus B. Winters, sporting
editor of the Toledo Blade.
According to the terms of Cronley's
agreement with a committee of pro-
moters of such freak pedestrians
feats, he must neither beg, nor steal.
borrowing of funds is also barred. He
logan the journey with one cent as
his capital, and makes his way by odd
Jobs and the selling of small articles
Of various kinds.
The begging clause prevents Cron-
CT any home Or hotel, and he must
ray for what he eats and for the bed
in which he sleeps. That he has Jared
well DO far on the Journey, the full
face and splendid physique of the man
are silent witnesses. Many nights he
| las spent in walking or in sleeping
under natures canopy, gazing at the
stars which guide him until the tired
frame seeks rest in dreamland.
Keeps Record of Trip
Crowley keeps close record of his
daily trips and can give in an instant
the exact distance travelled on any day
and5 the places at which he has stop
red. All details of the journey are
kept in a small note book, which he
| carried for the purpose.
| Around his neck, the pedestrian car
| ries string supporting pedometer.
by which he accurately records the
mile straveled. Yesterday and last
| right Crowley travelled forty-nine
miles, and helped materially to in
crease his daily average. He came to
Jacksonville from Savannah, via Way
cross, following the railroad tracks for
most of the distance.
UP to date Crowley has covered
1914 miles since leaving his home, and
must cover in all 1900 before he re-
turns. According to his figures al
present, Crowley will complete the
journey in two years, or eight months
ahead of his schedule.
Visits Postoffiee
To make the reports of his journey
authentic and to prevent any doubt
/ that he visits the places which are re-
corded in the little book, in every
town he goes first to the postoffice
where he requests the clerks in charge
to stamp upon this book, the official
date stamp. when the traveller arr
rives in small town. after the clos
ing hour, or on Sunday, and does not
wish to wait until the postoff1ces are
opened, Crowley goes to the railroad
station, where he gets the date stamp
III the ticket agent.
| In many cities, Crowley calls upon
prominent citizens and carried away
with him their autograph, and brief
statement attesting to the fact that he
! has been a visitor to their city. Tho
| Lolice department, too, is usually Wis
| lied by Crowley. This morning n
walked into the headquarters here and
in the absence bf Chief vinzant had
several of the office men sign, his book
| Crowley will leave Jacksonville this
evening, bound for Miami, by way OF
the east coast, and will then return
| around the west coast, and go along
| the Gulf to Texas. For protection ir
some of the wild country, through
| which he passes.t Crowley carries a
Winchester rife, and wears belt fill
&c with cartridges. A broad brimmed
| straw hat and blue shirt, with bslted
/ trousers completes his equipment and
gives him the appearance of a wild
westerner.
Crowley is quiet. unassuming fell
low, and is not disposed to say much
of himself. Upon numerous occasions
he has been arrested as a vagrant, but
| in every instance has been released
4 and allowed to go on his way. The
carrying Of the rife may cause him
| some trouble before he leavs Flor
| IDA. but he trusts to his past luck to
again favor him and worries never q
bit
To this fact that he worries little
and sleeps well at night, Crowley at
tributes his splendid condition and
ability to cover many extra miles each
day. He is now ahead of his schedule
/ almost two weeks. and expects to con-
tinue to gain.