The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-12-22
ON A LONG HIKE
Ernest Wahrnann, German
Student, Is in Topeka.
Plans to Walk in 80 Countries
in Four Years.
CLOSE WATCH KEPT.
His Route Planned in Germany
and Sent Here.
Robbed for First Time as He
Nears Kansas.

T4,,-i,,-- walked through most of the
countries of Europe and Asa, II re
manned for Ernest Wahrnann- Ger
man college student who is walking
ssround the world" to be touched
first in Kansas City He lost $40 there
through his faith in a young fellow
who told a hard luck story Ihe boys
orcl1pied a room together. and while
the young German was taking bath
his room mate, an American, walked
ont of the room with all of the funds
Wahrnann is a young German stu
dent with the bluest blue eyes and
boyish smile, who reached Topeka
Thursday from Lawrence. He IS to
walk in 90 countries before May 2 1913
He has already completed a large part
of his task He is walking. he says,
for a prize amounting to about $l2,0OO-
which is offered jointly by students
club and the University of Berlin He
has papers and documents to prove his
identity Although he speaks English
brokeniy he is interesting and entire
" different in personality. at least,
from the fake mixers who now throng
the country.
since reaching New York. North to
Maine. back to New York. then into
Canada and return; then to St Louis;
I'D to Chicago, back to St Louis; south
to New Orleans and back to St Louis;
then to Kansas City. where he was
robbed; from Kansas City to Lawrence
and to Topeka is his list of 'hikes" in
this country. He is now travelling to
Tulsa. from which place he expects to
be sent to Denver.
Close Tab Is Kept.
The method of keeping tab on Wahr
mann is remarkable. He receives let
tiers at various towns showing him his
route. He is instructed to get letters
from certain people and deliver them
to persons living in another town He
has a letter now to be delivered in
Tulsa There he expects to receive an
other letter to be delivered in Denver.
He may. however, be sent back to
Kansas City or to some other town
than the two named. He knows moth
ing in advance of his territory
Under the terms of the contest,
Wahrnann is to walk in 80 countries
before the expiration of the time which
Is May >, 1918. Four students started
on the worldwide walk May ,, 1909.
One has died. Another grew home
sick. returned to Germany and mar
ried. Wahrnann has no idea where
the third member of the contestants
IS now. He says he frequently walks
80 miles a day when the roads are good
and he has no bad luck He claims to
have walked six days without a drink
Of water in the East. walking at night
and being accompanied bv two men
who watched him night and day to see
that he did not take a drink.
Bitten by a Dozen Dogs.
He has had many numerous expert !
ences and some that We're not so funny. |
He has been bitten by a dozen dogs
and has been offered rides dozens of |
times. He makes his way by selling /
postcards and distributing advertising |
matter. He has sold 10000 cards since
landing in America
Wahrnann stayed Thursday night at |
the residence of Mr.. and Mrs John H |
Reisdorf at 321 Van Buren, street. He |
may stay here until after Christmas (
he said today. although he was not |
sure. If the weather grew warmer he !
said he might continue his hike" to- |