A Missouri Lover & an Arkansas “Dream” Girl…Part 2

The journey continues as other newspapers chronicle the selfless trek across the world to win the hand of a girl that claimed his heart.

News Snippet...

The man dressed in the velvet costume of a knight, with sword at his side and wearing a mask, mounted on a fine steed and two large hounds at the horse's side, that passed through our town about 9 o'clock last Monday morning, was T. Allen McQuary, who is making a romantic ride around the world, for an Arkansas girl, and $5,000. He started from Springfield, Missouri, July 10, and must complete his trip in eighteen months. Of the 25,000 miles to be traveled, 20,000 is to be made on water by steamer. He started without a penny and must earn his expenses by his own labor, selling books, &c. He must wear his knight uniform from 6 o'clock in the morning until 8 o'clock at night. If he only brings one of the dogs back he gets $4,000. Should both dogs be missing on his return he only gets $3,000. He is an Odd Fellow and a member of the Christian church in good standing, and is required to attend religious services at least once every Sunday.

End of Article.

(From Mountain Grove Plain Dealer.)

T. Allen McQuary, who left Mountain Grove, July 4, '97, on his trip round the world for an Arkansaw Girl and five thousand dollars, returned here Thursday, November I7, having successfully made the trip and conformed with all the requirements under which he undertook it, arriving two days ahead of time. Saturday evening he delivered an interesting lecture on the trials and incidents of his 28,000 mile journey, to a large and appreciative audience. He met with numerous difficulties and dangers, but says that the knowledge of the world thus obtained was itself a sufficient recompense for the hardships endured. He possesses many credentials, relics, etc., which are conclusive evidence that he actually made the trip, and as he will be here for some time, anyone may see these articles which are well worth examination.

Among the most interesting of them are the signatures of postmasters from Mtn. Grove to the Atlantic coast, of the governors of Missouri, Illinois, etc., a special passport signed by John Sherman, a letter of recommendation and certificate of passage from Capt. Theopholis Trotter of Liverpool, on whoso ship, the Indrani, McQuary was carried through all the foreign countries of note; letter and souvenirs from the English governor of Borneo; postmarks of Spanish, Egyptian, and Japanese and other foreign ports when he went on land a week or two to view historic places of note, and study the customs and conditions of the natives; a certificate signed by the ship's crew; a letter of recommendation from the English foreman of the Japan Gazette office, in Yokohama, where McQuary set type alongside the tiny-fingered little Japs; a certificate of date of arrival and departure from Japan, signed by our consul-general at that place; and finally the signatures of postmasters from the Pacific coast back to Mountain Grove. After resting himself a few days, Mr. McQuary proceeded on down to the old plantation in Arkansaw where he first met the little girl who was afterwards the cause of his peculiar and perilous journey round this big old world.

Just what took place upon the young traveler's faithful return is known only to a few intimate friends of the two families concerned in this modern romance in real life; but the publisher of McQuary own story of his trip round the world, a book or over 200 pages, fully illustrated, in his advertisement now being placed before the reading world, announces that the book will foot only tell what occurred at the close of his trip, that will also publish to the whole world the inside story of his engagement to the girl, her name, residence, her relations, character, accomplishments, southern peculiarities, etc.; and certain things of interest about the contract, the dogs, and the $3000, which have never been told yet. However, all these little secrets, as interesting as they are bound to be to a public that has heard so much about this affair during the last 18 to 20 months, are but a drop in the bucket compared to the real history of the trip; not that others have not made just as long journeys over the world, but never has this globe been circled by an American youth under such trying and peculiar circumstances—consequently, it is matter of interest to all patriotic citizens of America to know how he was received by the leading nationalities of the world; and the more interesting yet because McQuary is a highly educated, refined and practical writer, knowing how to tell his story in a sensible and pleasing style.

Weighing all these points in the proper light, we must acknowledge that the book will prove not only an interesting story of love and romance, but a truthful compendium of historical information on various subjects and places all over the world. The book is being put on the market by Michael & Glenn, a popular and responsible publisher of Mountain Grove, Mo. And while the regular subscription price will eventually be $1.50 per copy, he is making a run on the first edition at 50 cents per copy, by mail, postpaid, direct to purchasers. It is predicted that 100,000 copies will be sold during the next six months, owing the great interest already shown. (It will pay you to order a copy at once in order to get in on the 50c deal. Simply address as above, and enclose the proper amount.)

End of Article.

Stay Tuned for A Missouri Lover & an Arkansas “Dream” Girl…Part 3.

Comments? Email me!

vincent.a@baxtercountylibrary.org

Work Cited:
“For a Girl and $5,000.00.” Daily Republican. 27.268 (11 Feb., 1899) 3. Access Newspaper Archive. Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, AR. 1 Dec. 2009 http://www.access.newspaperarchive.com.
“Velvet Costume of a Knight.” Cambridge City Tribune 33.28 (14 Oct., 1897) 3. Access Newspaper Archive. Baxter County Library, Mountain Home, AR. 1 Dec. 2009 http://www.access.newspaperarchive.com.