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Fort Wayne Boy to Hike 3000 Miles Just for the Sport
The walk all the way from the Summit City to San Francisco would be some stunt when attempted
either as a wager or as an occupation promising adequate reimbursement, but to "hike it" merely for experience and fun of the thing with no promise of remuneration is as novel an undertaking as one could wish for.
Such, however, is the task which Adowin Doenges, twenty-four years old, a native Fort Wayne boy, has set for himself. He is a member of the local Loyal Order of Moose, and has always resided in this city. Doenges has never been devoted to pedestrianism, and in fact never took much interest in this form of exercise, but he has evinced the keenest interest in the Panama exposition, which this year is making California the mecca of thousands of travelers, and recently hearing of a party of Fort Wayne young people hiking to New Haven, he made the statement in the presence of friends that a hike clear to the exposition was not an impossible feat.
Following up the idea young Doenges determined to go on foot, and this week has been making preparations for his long journey of 3000 miles. Doenges will start from the courthouse corner Sunday morning at nine o'clock. His course will be along Wells Street until he reaches the Lincoln highway, and his trip westward will be over this great pathway through the states of Indiana, Illinois, Iowa, Nebraska, Kansas, Colorado, Utah, Nevada, and California.
The young man has carefully planned his trip. He expects to average eighteen miles per day, making due allowances for stormy or rough weather, and believes he can accomplish the feat in four and a half months, arriving in San Francisco, Cal., about August 15. He will take with him letters of introduction and credentials from Mayor William J. Hosey, Chief of Police Charles Lenz, Judge John W. Eggeman, of the Allen County Circuit Court, Ray Hilgemann, prosecuting attorney, Judge Carl Yaple, of the superior court, Secretary Charles Biederwolf, of the Commercial club, and others whose letters of recommendation will be presented to the officials of the various cities through which Doenges will pass on his westward hike. He expects to travel the entire distance along the Lincoln highway and will preserve a complete record of his experiences.
No purse or bet hangs on the outcome of the hiker's efforts. He expects to offer for sale at various places pamphlets relating to his attempt to walk from Fort Wayne to 'Frisco, and to be able to make enough to cover his ordinary expenses aside from what he will take with him.
Mr. Doenges will be well equipped for his journey. He will wear a regulation khaki uniform of army pattern, and elkskin shoes with raw hide soles. His equipment will consist of a haversack, canteen, rubber poncho with wool lining, which will serve the two-fold purpose of a blanket as well as protection from the rain, a combination mess kit, first aid to the injured packet, and personal effects, including toilet articles, etc. These will be carried in a shoulder pack such as are carried by forest rangers, hunters, or woodsmen.
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