The evening world., 1912-09-02
kolehmainen, Only Winner of
Three Olympic Events,
Held at Ellis Island.
COMES AS IMMIGRANT.
Unknown in Storage, Though
King Crowned Him a Few
Weeks Ago.

holcHtuulnen, nOt Ouis wv nccs-
est long distance runner. but . cham
pion of champions at the Olympic
games In Stockholm. stood In the Inn
migration pen at Ellis Island to-day
shouidering his bundle like any green
horn. While the officials passed along
the line examining the motley crowd.
Hans the Mighty waited patiently for
the will OF the United States Govern
ment to pass uron his eligibility 70 set
his foot on the mainland. He had come
in the steerage OF the Anchor line
steamer California yesterday and. with
his brother and a friend, had been sent
to Ellis Island.
A few short weeks ago a king had
placed wreath on kolehmaincn's
head. proclaiming him one OF the great.
That was after he had performed the
unprecedented feat OF winning three
events at an olympiad-the 1900. 5000
and 1000 meter races. He was also a
strong hgure in the cross1country con-
tests. To-day he was an atom in tho
swir0ing mass that clustered about
every blue-coated officer. showing tick
fog at the dull Goddess OF Liberty who
promises wonderful things.
HAD TO Be LOOKED OVER FOR
ELIGIBILITY.
1t was necessary for the Government
TO ind out how matters stood regard
ing Hans and the rights OF a sovereign
people. Would he be likely to become a
nah IT, ..ha
ne? Was his health good? The chest
OF Hans Kolehmainen rose and fell as
ne waited. He thought. DULY. what was
taking place. but spoke little. His
brother. William, who talks English,
was the lighter hearted. for William
had won $50 In the Castle OF Man. Just
before he sailed. The race william
won was . email matter OF fifteen miles
over rough country. but he did not
crow over 81. because Brother Hans can
run him OF his feet.
William II a professional. but Hans
IL . true amateur. When a man ar
rives in the steerase and is detained
pending investigation into his finances,
after sending the nag OF Finland timee
and time again to the front Of all
| other nations at Stockholm, there can
be little question that he 10 an anna
teur.
Hans advanced TO the desk Of the
doctor. He removed his big cap and
dropped his cord wrapped bundle. II
took but a minute to decide his case.
"All right. Go ahead" said the doc
| tor. Then the Commissioners assist
ants looked Hans over. What was his
earning capacity? Hans told them he
was q stone mason. He looked strong
enough. Did he have any other occu-
patton? a runner. Then one of the
officials remembered the headlines OF
the papers when Hans Kolehmainer
defeated the greatest athletes OF
America and the rest of the world.
PUBLIC CHARGED NOT WITH
THOSE LEGS.
They looked at him with interest
Was he likely to become a publ,
charger They thought not. In fact
one inspector looked at Hans with envy
This immigrant. with his bundle, had II
his sturdy legs money-making possibili
ties beyond tho widest hope OF the ma,
| eASHiiiiu6 iliHn AnOuUdiOb OF 0Ollar
for winning a race might be his. No
he was not likely to become a publ
charge. Neither was brother william
or the friend who manages to slee
with the name Ifrgo Kolvistoiner on hi
mind.
william told how Hans Intends +
stay In America and become q either
lie will begin running as soon as h
gets acclimatsd and In shape. Bot
brothers, said William. began trainin
themselves to run eight years age
after reading accounts OF the Olympi
games In Athens. All this and niue
moro William chatted about on tn
way across the bay But Hans sal
little. The skyscrapers rose befor
him and presently lowered over hin
The Ellis Island ferryboat reache
: her slip at the Battery. A week az
the returning American athletes wer
welcomed by the city of New Yorl
Thousands stood In the streets to Il
them honor. Tho immigrant, holdin
his cord wrapped bundle, had made tn
5 best OF them fall behind. Hans Kolef
: mainen stepped Off the gangplank q
| the ferry and into the city unwe
coined and unheraldet. with HI
!, brother and the friend of the unpr,
= nounceable name he strobe OF and va
;, gathered into the crowd that swarms
- about the pier. But he will be hear
a from soon. IL the record he hung I