The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1909-07-15
WESTON FINISHES
HIS LONG WALK
Aged Pedestrian Refutes 0sler
Theory in Hike Across
Continent

II DR.. Osler had journey up Market
street with Edward Payson Weston, the
aged pedestrian. last night, as he was
completing the final lap OF his walk
across the continent, the professor who
made the famous statement that man
was all IN when he was 40. would taken
10 cover There was nothin gin Yves
tons manner TO indicate that he was
all in, and he looked good enough to
make a return trip The letter which
he received from Postmaster Morgan
Of New York 10 be handed TO Postmas-
ter Fisk here viii be delivered this
morning.
Il was 1880 o'clock as Weston
stepped the boat on this side and
started for the St Francis hotel in
company with his manager, J. C.
accompanied him on his way 10 the
hotel He was attfred IN a khaki coat,
wore white hat and had in his hand
the cane which he has carried across
the continent. He appeared 10 be a
tri7e lame, but Il was his natural
stride he said
He was met at the ferry by members
OF the weston walking club and there
were q number Of citizens on hand to
ARRIVES FIVE DAYS LATE
Weston left New York on the after
noon Of March Is at 4 o'clock to tramp
across the continent The occasion
marked his SEVENTEEN birthday and the
people wondered in establishment at a
man Of his years attempting to under
take a feat OF this kind. He declared
that lie would traverse the strip Of
land which separates the two oceans
in 100 days. but he went trihe more
than five days over his limit
He left New York and walked 10
Chicago and then took the railroad for
/ the remainder Of his journey. He
passed through St Louis. Kansas City,
Ogden. Sacramento and finally San
Francisco. The distance is figured at
1895 miles, but he actually covered
1000 miles. The actual time was los
I days, hours and about Il minutes 1t
/ is Weston's custom 10 rest on Sunday
] The Sabbath day was set aside as
day OF leisure.
He walked both night and day Just
as he felt. However. he found climatic
conditions very bad. and declared that
I he made the mistake in leaving New
/ York for San Francisco. for had he
started his journey from here he could
have made better time. He would not
have found the heat 50 bad and cross
! ing the desert at the present time
]
It was his intention TO make round
trip and walk back TO New York hut
he has abandoned his plans He saws
/ he viii stay here for a few davs and
| then leave for New York He saws he
has organized walking clubs through
out the country and finds the youth
favor the sport
In his travel across the continent
Weston met with many adverse condi-
lions which prevented him from cover
ing hte journey in 100 days Through
/ Wyoming and Colorado the conditions
/ were against him. Windstorms. rain
storms and the elements were mfsbe-
having and he found progress difficult.
The elements were at their worst in
/ Wyoming Windstorms would come
/ up" he said, and I would take one
step and be blown back two This part
Of the journey was slow I rested at
night at ranch houses or any place /
could find shelter
AIDED BY THE RAILROADS
Engineers and trainmen along the
journey were made aware that they
! might meet Weston along their route
/ Dispatchers would inform the engi-
neers that they would meet him on
bridges or trestles and that trains must
be stopped so as 10 give him every
protection
From Sparks New, Weston was &C
! compenied by G E Brown of the engi-
neering department of the Southern Pa
cifc. His baggage and apparel were
carried on a speeder from Nevada, and
Brown remained with him until he ar
rived in Oakland.
Weston averaged about SO miles q
day on his journey. but he has a record
OF walking 125 miles in "a hours.
This morning he viii go to the post
office building and deliver to Postmas-
ter Fiske the letter which was handed
10 him by the postmaster of New York