Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1909-08-05
GLOBE YR0YYER IN TOWN
Joseph Mikulec Blew into Bur-
lington on a Hot Day.
Ia 600 Miles Ahcnd Of His Schedule
and Expects 10 Win $1,000 while
Wearing out Mnny Pairs
of shoes.

Joseph Mikulec, an Austrian who
claims to lie the champion long distance
walker of the world. hit town Thursday
loon in cloud of dust. He started from
Montpelier the evening before. passed the
light in Waterbury, and then came Ill
scctly herc. The corner of Church an!
College streets contained but few peo-
pie when MikuleC arrived. for not many
knew of his coming. but II was not Ions;
before n concourse Of messenger boys and
unemployed citizens gathered that would
put the ordinary Burlington fire crowd To
shame. W. T.. Hcndee. prompted by a
feeling of kindness fer the lone peGe3-
TRAN. started to lead him out of the
embarrassment OF publicity. AS usual.
the would-be good Samaritan got it in
the neck, for J. Il. Henderson, who was
passing. called out to Mkulec. keep
your hand on your pockethook If you 30
withtthat man" Mikulec, however. cook
n chance and at the last report was not
any poorer than when he arrived IN the
city.
Mr.. Mikulec started from Croatia In
Austria, February 5. 1906, to walk 5000
miles In five wears and he has, so far.
walked over 1880 miles of the distance.
lie has worn out 40 pairs Of shoes since
inc started and expects to wear out a
good many moro. He las no money and
depends for support on the sale OF postal
cards bearing his picture. 1t Is n curious
fact that the market price of these postal
cards iluCtuates with the prosperous ap-
peararce of the prospective purchaser
They were sold for varying prices one
man in ovcralls dug up a nickel and Mix
ulec let 1t 20 at that. while a newspapcr
man handed over a quarter. which the
Austrian pocketed impassively during an
uninterrupted flow of conversation. No
remarks were made about the change
and the owner is cherishing that card
as one of his most expensive treasures.
Since Mkulec first started on his little
iaunt lie has had some adventures which
make the famous exploits of Diamond
Dick and Old Sleuth look like mere
chld's play. He was lost once for five
days In the salt marshes of the Arsen-
tine Republic and was unable to obtain
any fresh water during that time, AT
last. when nearly exhausted. he came
upon a telegraph line which ran through
the desert and cut the wires. This
brought out the repair men and he was
eventually rescued. At another time, in
suffered greatly before the remedies
which he carried with him took effect.
The scar Is still visible on his arm and
is probably his most lasting souvenir of
South America.
Mikucc wears across Ills breast
heavy leather strap ON which are some
nickel plates bearing representations of
he two hemspheres of the globe and the
'oat Of arms of Croa Tia. He also carries
IN haversack. which contains the seals
# the States through which he has
passed, the signatures of governors. sui
ans, princes, mayors and 9TH poten-
'ates President Taft. Nice-President
HERMAN and Mayor Burke are repre-
tented. The champion IS in the employ
If an Austrian publishing firm, who are
20 give him $1,000 If he completes the
required distance on schedule time. This
ne fully expects TO do. he is already
100 miles ahead of the schedule and las
Nill la months 20 20. Friday he started
'or Albany and from there expects to go
% the Pacific coast and thence to Asia.
He is 81 years old and in the best Of
nealth.