Old Missoula

Max Schiffler – World Traveler Almost Scalped By Angry Flatheads 1900

In late December of 1900 a young German man traveled through Missoula on his way around the world – on a bicycle, no less. If that sounds preposterous to you, don’t feel alone. Before arriving in Missoula he had already traveled across the country, taking months to do it, but come on! Around the world. Alone, and on a bicycle. Without spending a cent.

Closer to Missoula, he survived a scalping attempt by angry Flathead Indians who held him captive in their lodging and made him dance before letting him escape. A caution – he took their picture before he left.

Before he got home 5 years later, he’d taken 5,000 pictures. He also traveled more than 44,000 miles. If they didn’t make a movie about Max Schiffler, they should have.

If you don’t believe it read the articles below.

Max Schiffler/Shiffler – World Traveler in Missoula – 12/31/1900

A German Traveler

Educated Globe Trotter Now a Guest in Missoula.

Is Going Around the World Without As Much As Touching a Cent of Money

Bifurcated, and looking more a typical lumberjack from the Coeur d’Alene branch than a polished and educated German, which he is, Max Shiffler, a resident of Coeslin, Germany, last night came into Missoula by rail in a manner that is entirely a new one in this section of the country. His mode of locomotion was a bicycle attachment, so contrived that a rail flange fitting apparatus is attached permitting the use of an ordinary bicycle to make speedy time over a railroad rail.

Max Shiffler is a man with a mission, but a most eccentric one. On March 5, 1898, he left his Deutchland home for a tour of the globe awheel. Starting without a cent of money the trip was to be accomplished without touching a single piece of the coin of any realm through which he might travel. While his existence is maintained necessarily by gratuities, he is no beggar, and the greater part of the burden he carries is parchment rolls with endorsement of prominent people of towns he has visited on this trip and who have assisted in his maintenance. For instance, should he need bicycle repair, shave, bath, lodging or other necessity he states his mission to whoever he may meet and it is for them to decide on whether or not the cause is a meritorious one. He accepts no money contributions, and only offers of absolute need does he aim at.

To a reporter last night Mr. Shiffler related most enthusiastically of the generosity of the American people as he has found them. “I shall nefer findt zuch a von atgain,” he said with his decided Teutonic accent.

The object of his unusual trip is to see the world and to demonstrate to himself that he has courage and grit. His next objective stop is San Francisco from where he goes by steamer to Japan and the Philippines, through China, if possible, India, Arabia, Persia, Turkey and to Europe. He gives himself to the spring of 1902 to complete his travels and be once more in “der Faterland.”

During a brief stay in Missoula the trotter is being entertained at the hostelry of Mine Host Herr Otto Siegel, where Otto is attempting to show him the advantages of a location in Missoula county in preference to roaming over the world.

The above article appeared in The Missoulian on December 31, 1900.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/348654420/

 

Redskins Play Joke On Tourist

Make Pretense of Murdering a German Globe-Trotter.

Man Who Is Traveling Around the World on His Wits Has a Thrilling Experience in Montana.

Special Dispatch to The Call.

Seattle, Feb. 11. – Max Schiffler, representing a German sporting magazine, has been stopping in this city for several days. He travels by railway bicycle, and is under contract to make the trip around the world without accepting or spending money. From here he will go to San Francisco, where he will take a steamer to cross the Pacific.

Schiffler is a young man, about 30 years of age. He has eighteen months in which to complete his trip by way of the Philippines and home to Coeslin, Germany.

The traveler was captured by the Flathead Indians in Montana and remained three days in the lodge of the chief. He reached the Indian reservation cold and hungry and requested food and shelter. When the warriors were informed that he had no money they passed him by with a sneer. He applied to the big chief, who took him in and dressed him as a brave and ordered him to participate in a native dance then in progress. The daughter of the chief was given to him for a partner, and the young German, dressed in the chief’s robes, was made a butt of aboriginal ridicule.

A gayly attired young brave, who was seeking the hand of the chief’s daughter, objected to her being given to the German. He offered some remonstrance and was encouraged by others. Soon his anger became uncontrollable.

He drew a scalping knife from his belt and dashed furiously at the intruder. The old chief stepped to the front and quelled the disturbance, preventing the death of the traveler.

After the dance was over the Indians gave Schiffler to understand that the whole proceeding was a joke. They permitted him to take several snapshot pictures of the camp and warriors and let him go on his journey without further molestation.

The above article appeared in The San Francisco Call on February 12, 1901.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/46472509/

 

Has Toured World Astride A Bicycle.

German Travels 44,000 Miles and Uses Six Machines in Novel Trip.

(Special Cable to the Sunday News.)

Berlin, Nov. 4. – Max Schiffler has returned to Berlin after touring round the world by bicycle.

He started in 1898, and cycled through Germany, Holland, England, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Japan, eastern provinces of China, Australia, India, Persia, Asia Minor, the Balkan States and Austria homeward.

The distance traveled was 44,000 English miles, during which Schiffler used up six bicycles. One of these was presented to him in India by Lord Curzon.

Schiffler, who took 5,000 photographs, says he will start on a second tour in February, covering Denmark, Scandinavia, England, the Southern American counties, Manchuria, Siberia and Russia homeward. He expects to return to Berlin in 1912.

The above article appeared in The Buffalo Sunday Moring News on November 5, 1905.

https://www.newspapers.com/image/46472509/