The Bismarck tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, N.D.) 1916-current, 1927-07-01
To Be Here Several Days
BY HAPPY EDWARDS

l nave always lOOkeO AFTER mySelf,
having no relations that 1 know Of.
Late last winter my pal, Larry Rae,
and | obtained positions in home
town shoe factory where we worked
for five months. At the end Of that
time, discovering that NC were losing
weight rapidly, we consulted physi-
clans and underwent a weeks treat
ment. The doctors then gravely in
formed Us that the chalk, which is
used extensively in shoe manufac-
ture, had entered our lungs and as
there was no known method of re-
moving it, we could not live month.
Finally they stated that If it was
possible for US to constantly change
our climate there might be faint
chance, depending on the fact that
the reaction Of the various atmos-
pheres in different localities might
eventually loosen the chalk and we
would be able to exkale it.
The medical men, backed by firm
of underwriters, offered to place a
stake Of 81 900 that we could not live
to reach Ell Paso, Texas, and return
to our homes, the only conditions
being imnosed were that we 60 hand
cuffed together and without asking
aid on the way.
Offer Accepted
We accepted their offer and on
the Goth day of May left Quebec in
search of health, with no money and
no equipment and the cards seem
ingly already stacked against US.
We successfully reached Boston,
Mass, but there my only pal col
lapscd and despite Boston's most ex-
pert medical attention, passed away
five days later. aF'
After communicating with the doc
tors, l worked three weeks as a
dishwasher to pay the funeral ex-
penses Of my pal and continued on
my way alone, this time with shiny
new pair OF bracelets" on my own
wrists. The handouts are sealed
and welded on me and are for the
purpose Of making me easily rccog-
nizable wherever may 60.
So far have come about 1880
miles and have had adventures both
good and. bad. Lost in the Carolina
swamps for twenty hours without
food or drinkablc water, / was forced
to sleep in tree with only my belt
to prevent my falling into the bot
tomlcss depth of slime. l have been
nearly drowned, barely escaping
death in a brush fire, twice bitten by
snakes and fired upon us an escaped
criminal.
In Mexico
The high spot of them all, however,
came when ] venturcd down into
Sonora, Mexico. to obtain photos Of
the rebellious and dangerous Yaqui.
after it was explained what want
ed and was doing, through a Mexican
officer, l ewas treated with the ut
most hospitality and with due ccre-
mony, made brother" of the tribe.
Along the way have collected the
personal seals and best wishes of
twenty-four governors and eighty
mayors while on my pack nv" the
names of many mayors, senators,
governors, movie stars and we'll
known athletes, including Jack
Dempsey and Babe Ruth. was also
presented with a>pcrsonally auto
graphcd photo Of President Coolidge.
In Los Angeles ! made the &C
quaintance Of fifty-two prominent
stars, each of whom also gave me a
personally autographed photo. I had
the pleasure Of dining with several
anu ALSO klS$luR MlSS JOScpnlnC NOT
man, Cecil ,. DcMilie luminary: the
kissing being a dare. 3
Not All Pleasure
To sum my trip up, ! have found
the people to be pretty much the
same wherever you 60. But to those
who have misguided opinion that
travelling is fun. give the follow
ing advice: It emp,a;ica'ly Is not.
To tramp tho descr. VIZ, the sun
at 125 degrees is mo. c"ria., ly de-
void Of any interest exec TO Keep
alive, or is it airy pleasure ta,.ty ia
tramp through anklc-decp mud. or t.
miss two or three. meals IN row,
Or to- go without water until your
tongue ills your mOu,h. All these
and nofc e"n,e under tilc category
Of 9!6bc-ir0ttcr. voluntary or 9th.
erwisc.
The Yaqui lave named me "The
White F'iEhcr Who Travels the
Earth" and the iianlc is appropri.
ate. But if you !h,nk hiking is fun
try it for shor. time. Adieu.