Dave Kunst - Walk Around the World - Part 1

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By Davy Crockett

Who was the first person to truly walk around the world? If your search the Internet the answer that come back is: Dave Kunst, an American who claimed to do it in 1970-1974. Dave Kunst, originally from Minnesota, claims that he is “the first person verified to have completed circling the entire land mass of the earth.”

The previous parts of this series have hopefully taught the reader to be very skeptical of such claims. Is his claim true? Did he really walk around the entire world in 1970-1974? Was he the first? Was it truly independently verified, and how? Well, with any such bold claims there are problems with it, even if Guinness was at some point convinced to include it in their record book.

The Kunst tale must be told and it will be covered in two parts. He was not the first to walk around the world. Konstantin Rengarten of Belarus and Latvia was the first in 1894-1898. (See Part 3). But I believe Kunst was the first to walk around the “world” in the modern, post-war era. His walk had the usual route and verification issues as other globetrotters before him. Kunst published a 1979 book about his walk, that is difficult to read. I will tell the tale primarily from the hundreds of newspaper articles published between 1970-1974, and I chose to not use addition tales from his book that were full of ego, which were not mentioned in the newspapers.

Dave Kunst’s walk inspired and entertained hundreds of thousands of people who witnessed it, read about it in the newspapers, and heard about it on television and radio. But sadly, the walk left within its wake, tragedy, death, heartbreak, deception, and betrayal. Thousands around the world thought the purpose of the Kunst walk was to support a humanitarian cause and they freely financially supported him. But actually, the walk was motivated by a man with a huge ego and with selfish intentions. The truth eventually came out and it surprised and disappointed many people with a shocking ending. Nevertheless, the walk happened, and in the decades that followed, Kunst would inspire thousands of youngsters to dare to fulfil their dreams.

Before the walk

David William Kunst was born on July 16, 1939 at Caledonia, Minnesota where he was raised. His parents were Aloysious “Al” Kunst (1919-2010), a salesman, and Augusta Onstad Kunst (1921-2007). The family was longtime Minnesota residents. Dave’s grandfather, Frank Kunst, immigrated from Germany and was a harness maker. Dave’s mother’s family, the Onstads, immigrated from Norway. In his early years, Dave’s family lived with his Kunst grandparents in Caledonia. While Dave was young, his father Al served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was deployed to the Philippines. On his return he managed lumberyards and then became a salesman.

Dave was raised in the Catholic faith and attended a private Catholic school which certainly exposed him to a greater level of rules from authority figures that influenced his later attitudes. He also participated in the scouting organization. He had two younger brothers, Pete and John. Dave said, “My mom had an adventurous spirit, and she instilled that in me during my Caledonia years.” His mom would at time drop him off to go hunting for three days in the woods. At times on those trips he wouldn’t hunt but would cover 20-30 miles exploring. He would always come back in a good mood.

In 1959, Dave married young, at age 19, to Janice “Jan” Wabner, who became a very important figure in the walk story. In her senior yearbook it was written of her, “She can live without poetry, music or walking, but she can’t live without talking.” She was active is Chorus and Drama.

Dave went to work for the local county and eventually led a team of surveyors that worked on the highways. In the 1960s the Kunsts had three children, Daniel, Debra, and Brad. In 1970, the Kunst family lived in Waseca, Minnesota. Dave was a part-time student at Mankato State, majoring in sociology. He still worked for the county and also part-time as a projectionist for the local theater. His younger brother, John Allen Kunst (1947-1972), age 23, was single, and recently graduated from the University of Minnesota, also in sociology.

Planning for the walk

With John’s recent graduation from college, Dave and John talked about doing something adventuresome, like riding a jeep through South America. But then Dave got the idea of a walk around the world from a friend, Richard Elbensteiner, who had been dreaming of such a trip. Dave said, “It all began as just an idea for adventure and a kind of revolt against the soft world in which we live. We wanted to demonstrate man’s control over his own destiny. Man must reaffirm his strength and vitality independent of the modern, concrete, push button world.” John at first was a bit less enthused about the multi-year adventure but became determined to do it.

As the idea for the walk came together, John wisely came up with the idea to involve a charity with the walk. Around the world walkers of the past had used bogus wagers as the reason for doing such an outlandish quest. For those, the public were sympathetic toward the desire to win the wager and assisted them in their efforts. In this way walkers could travel on other people’s dime. John’s charity idea was similar, but even more brilliant. The trusting public would be faster to give free room and board for young men promoting a noble charity cause.

They chose the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF), an organization that was known in the countries where they would walk. Dave was hesitant about the charity idea because to him it was all about the adventure, but he got on board. He later admitted that the walk was never really about UNICEF. They wanted adventure, but with this scheme, they could travel the world on the generosity of others who would provide thousands of dollars for room, board, and supplies.

In May 1970, Dave Kunst announced that he and his brother John were planning a 15,000-mile, three and a half year walk around the world to raise money for UNICEF. They would be taking pledges per miles, one cent to one dollar. They would hand out UNICEF pledge cards to work on the sympathies of those they met. The pledge card idea was wise. If they would have instead collected cash donations, they would fall prey to robbers and bandits along the way. But the pledge idea was highly ineffective to actually bring in donations for UNICEF. But that was not a true concern for them, it was not really about UNICEF, it was about experiencing adventure and leaving their structured world behind. They received the endorsement and help from the United Nations Association of Minnesota

When Dave’s wife of eleven years, Jan, learned of the venture, she was shocked and rather upset. She said, “I always knew you’d do something crazy like this someday.” He invited her to come along, but of course she declined with all the responsibilities raising her children. She really had no choice, became a supporter, and played the role of secretary, sending out hundreds of letters requesting pledges and equipment. Dave would keep a daily diary and send the notes home for Jan to type up. She was very loyal and did an incredible amount of work for him.

For Dave, the walk was his way of escaping commitments, a structured life, and just like the scamming globetrotters before him, trick the public to pay for his globetrotting life ahead. He was tired of rules and being told what to do. Years later he admitted to a reporter, “I was doing this for myself mainly. I was tired of Waseca, tired of my job, tired of a lot of little people who didn’t want to think, and tired of my wife. The walk was a perfect way to change all that.”

Criticism was heard around town in Waseca. A woman in a laundromat commented, “I don’t like it. He’s leaving his wife and three young children alone, while he takes off on some crazy scheme. If my husband tried something like that we’d be through.” Dave’s private reaction to this and others in town was, “It’s you I’m leaving behind. It’s you I’m walking away from.”

Dave quit his jobs and withdrew all of his savings and retirement money he had accumulated during 11 years working in the highway department. He gave $3,000 of the $4,000 to his wife and hoped that the remaining $1,000 would be enough for the entire trip. Jan Kuntz knew that she would need to go work fulltime to support the family, not expecting any funds to be sent back from Dave.

Dave said, “Our object I to walk through as many countries as possible, staying within 35 to 60 degrees latitude. While walking we plan to film, photograph and record our experiences, reflecting aspirations that affect every man.” But his true hope was that he would be put in the Guinness Book of World Records and that he then could author a book and become rich.

Their main worries were challenges ahead with the weather and language barriers. They expected to go through eleven countries and would use air transportation over the ocean. They said that they would not be in a hurry, wanting to visit with people and hand out many pledge cards.

Dave had walked only short distances and usually drove everywhere. There was doubt in his mind and others if he could even walk far enough to get out of Waseca. So he and his friend Richard did a trial walk, five miles from a gravel pit into town and discovered it wasn’t too difficult. Elbensteiner said, “we just wanted to make sure we could make it out of town so we could camp somewhere and rest the sore feet.” Dave consulted with a local mailman, wanting to learn how many miles per day they should travel. He was told to start with 15 miles and then to increase that as they became stronger.

Dave and John originally planned to grab backpacks and start walking. But then a woman in Minneapolis suggest to them that they should walk with a mule. The mule would not only carry their provisions, but also to call attention to their project. It also would help people understand that they weren’t tramps hitchhiking and provide better proof that they weren’t cheating, taking rides. They agreed that it would “add a little character to their walk.”

The two sought out a private interview with former U.S. Vice President Hubert Humphrey who promised that he would help them with visa arrangements necessary before they could pass through some countries. He also gave them a letter of introduction, as two men promoting goodwill among people and nations and were encouraging broader support of United Nations and its programs.” This single letter would establish trust and open many doors for them.

Of course, at the time, there was no understanding of the other previous walks around the world. Dave mistakenly thought that no one else had ever attempted to walk around the world. He said, “Maybe we will be the first.” The Guinness Book of World Records at the time listed a 18,500-mile walk performed in 1957 by David Kwan, from Singapore to London, in which he claimed to average 32 miles per day. But that was event an error, Kwan hitchhiked to London, he did not walk that distance. Later Dave said, “Do you think we would be doing this if someone else had already done it?” Little did he know.

The verification method they used was no better than what which was used by globetrotters of the past. They took with them a scroll to be signed by dignitaries, which only helped prove that they arrived at certain locations, it did not prove they walked every step and didn’t take rides on the mule, in the cart, or get other transportation help. There were no independent witnesses traveling along. Thus Dave’s “first verified” claim was very weak.

The walk begins

Dave and John Kunst prepared to start on June, 20, 1970 from Waseca accompanied by their mule. They were heading 1,500 miles toward New York City where they then would fly to Portugal. The town gave them a great send-off that included a farewell luncheon held at a restaurant and then a news conference. At the start location, three youth bands took turns playing rock music. At 1:30 p.m. about 30 men and women participated in a “walk-a-mile” trek. Rain started to fall.

“A large cheer went up from the crowd as the Kunst bothers and the mule made their appearance for the start of the walk. A major item of business was to christen the mule.” The name “Willie-Make-It,” was the result of a name chosen from a contest They started their walk at 4:30 p.m. to the strains of “King of the Road.”

On the third day, John recalled, “We had only walked a few miles, but my feet were killing me. I kept thinking, three years and 15,000 miles.” They struggled to get the mule going when she wanted to stop and that brought out onlookers and reporters. Dave later wrote, “Any publicity was good publicity. We were quick to discover that. Particularly if we wanted to get across the fact that offers of room and board and anything else that might come to the people’s minds were most welcome.” Like globetrotters of the past, the strategy was to get people to support them financially along the way. It worked. Many people would stop to ask question, wish them well, take pledge cards, and offer them room, board, and cash.

Children follow along at St. Charles, Minnesota

It took the two brothers about five days to travel the first 95 miles to Stockton, Minnesota. Care for the 370-pound mule was a chore. At St. Charles, they had its saddle repaired and at Winona, had it shod. The farmer who sold the chamber of commerce the mule, told them that shoes wouldn’t be needed. But stones were being stuck in the hoofs and she needed shoes. Willie-Make-It carried sleeping bags, a tent, clothing, a camp stove, and food supplies, all weighing about 150 pounds.

“The Kunst Brothers have found that the mule is rather contrary at times. She refuses to go ahead but seems agreeable to go the opposite direction, from whence they came.” They took the mule to the Rigis Beauty Salon at a shopping mall for a beauty treatment. “The other lady customer were at first shocked but then they accepted Willie as one of the bunch.”

After Stockton (mile 95), heavy rain fell and they crawled into a five foot culvert to get out of the rain. They averaged 21 miles per day the first week. In Wisconsin, at the state capital at Madison, Willie grazed on the capital building grass.

Illinois and Indiana

In Illinois, they continued to make good progress. “The goodwill of people they meet along the way is helping conserve finances. Some people have put them up for the night in their homes and others have given them free meals. A couple people have given them contacts in foreign countries. They expect the list of contacts to grow.” They no longer had their mule haul cooking utensils or much food because so many people offered to feed them along the way.

At Columbia, Indiana, they met a truck driver who had driven 30 miles out of the way to “see two guys and a mule walking down the highway.” He bought them dinner and wished them well. On another occasion, a grandmother gave them a free meal at her restaurant, and offered plenty of motherly advice. She broke down in tears as they had to move on.

They were inspiring others. “Several people we have met along the way have said they have things they wanted to do but have always put them off. Now they say they are going to do them.” But, “Some people disapprove of what the Kunst brothers are doing. One woman was horrified and accused them of aimlessly wandering around when they could be making money.” John said, “You know, it is different with the younger people. They understand what we’re doing. The older ones ask why.”

Ohio

“At Delphos, Ohio, they were preparing to bed down in a public park with their sleeping bags when a family at a nearby picnic table invited them to join them for dinner. After the two explained their mission, the family invited the men to their home to shower and shave. In the absence, a prowler stole their sleeping bags. The police department heard of their plight and replaced the gear.”

At Wooster Ohio, they stayed overnight in an unusual place. “We asked the police if they knew a place we could stay. They asked if we would like to stay in the transient cell. We said yes and walked in to look around. We thought we were just going to look the place over when we heard the cell door clang shut. They told us it was just routine, but it was a weird feeling.”

Pennsylvania

In Pennsylvania, they would travel on a berm of a freeway as traffic went by a few feet away at 70 mph. At Pittsburgh, they stayed overnight at the State Police barracks. Dave was questioned about leaving his wife and young children for this adventure. He replied, “I have my wife’s full support. She said she admires my adventurous spirit but passed up an invitation to come along. She understood what I had to do after she was sure how serious we were. She said she married me for what I am.” He said he called home “now and then.” Businesses had flown her out three times to see him so far.

The mule threw a shoe and they lost a day looking for a blacksmith. The police helped them find one and let the blacksmith use their police car garage. Two officers held the mule in a frantic struggle to shoe her. “The concrete floor of their garage was one of many that our mule fertilized along the way.” About the people, John said, “We have found that there is little difference between people whether they live in the city or in the country. City people are a little bit more suspicious but just as generous once they know we are for real, and many want to go with us.” Asked how the two were getting along, Dave said, “It takes a certain kind of unusual individual to start out on a thing like this. I was the only one who would go with John and he was the only one who would go with me, so who else was there?” After two months, they were nearing 1,000 miles.

State and local police watched over them during much of their trek. Mule experts were worried that Willie would reject crossing over a bridge with open meshwork. “Some animals balk when they look down to see water beneath. Willie checked out the situation and walked right over.” Willie would eat only one coffee can of oats per day, refusing any more. She drank only once per day.

The third brother, Pete, 26, of Santa Ana, California hitchhiked to Bedford, Pennsylvania to join his brothers for three days and then headed home by bus. “It was quite an experience,” said Pete, a former Marine and Vietnam veteran. The mountains in Pennsylvania included dangers. Dave said, “I remember curves in the mountains with absolutely no shoulders. We just depended on luck.”

At Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, the two took eight days off waiting for their turn to appear on the Mike Douglas T.V. Show. Willie had come down with saddle sores, so they drastically cut down what they carried with them, and put it on their own backs. They were determined to have Willie make it to New York City before they said goodbye and flew to Europe. They knew how to work the crowds to be in their favor. They tried to always wave to passing traffic. “When we left Philadelphia, the traffic got so heavy we would have had to hold our arms up steady.”

New Jersey and New York

They reached New Jersey by the three-month mark and were still holding up well. “We have accumulated a few blisters along the way, but they just turn into callouses and we just keep trudging along.” For the 100 days that they had been on the road, they had only taken off 14 of them.

On October 8, 1970, they arrived in New York City, after about 1,500 miles, and went on to Time Square. “We walked right down Broadway with our mule to Battery Park where we touched the sea. We were both anxious to make New York because it meant the first leg of our journey would be over, proving we are serious.”

They boasted that they only had to spend $100 of their own money on their trip to New York. “It seems like a lot of people are interested in what we are doing.” The Coliseum Holiday Inn wisely capitalized on the attention by opening their doors to the men and their mule. The manager said, “We have room for everybody,” as the three walked into the motel lobby. “Willie was quartered in the courtyard. His daily diet of grass in supplemented by what motel employees bring him, apple pie and other delicacies.” The brothers spent a week making arrangements with the UN for transportation to Portugal.

Return home to Minnesota

Arrangements were made for them to take a freighter to Portugal on November 11th, but it was delayed. Instead of just waiting in New York where lodging was expensive, the two, with their mule, returned to Minnesota on November 1, 1970 to rest and see their family. They rented a van and made it back home after a 22-hour drive. It should be noted that those who made solid attempts to walk around the world in previous years, did not make such trips home using transportation, they continued on using their feet.

The two planned to hitchhike back to New York on November 15 and then fly by commercial plane to Portugal. It was rumored that UNICEF was supporting Dave wife and children, but Jan Kuntz denied that. “We have some money and I’ll find a job.” They parents who lived nearby were also helping financially. Dave said, “It’s just plain people helping people. No matter how determined we might be to get around the world, it could not happen except for people’s kindness.”

Portugal

On December 3, 1970, the two boarded a jet at New York City for Lisbon, Portugal. Their tickets were paid for by a Minneapolis banker who was interested in their walk. On December 10 began their next leg of their walk through Europe. The minister of tourism kindly gave them a donkey and a little cart loaded with food and cheese. But the little donkey was just too slow and small. Their pace drastically dropped.

When they arrived at Lisbon, the Tourist Bureau understood their problem and supplied them with a strong Army mule which they named Willie Make-It II. They abandoned the cart in favor of packing on the mule’s back. The tourism office also called every village ahead to them to make sure they would be welcome and given food and lodging. They even called their counterparts in Spain. The Spanish started to make preparations for them.

Dave said, “Many nights the temperature fell below freezing and many places we stayed had no heating systems. Most of the homes did not have running water.” One man told them, “You Americans don’t realize how good you have it. Even in your small towns you have all the conveniences. Here in the smaller villages, there is nothing but the river for washing clothes.”

“We found out a couple of things. Portugal is colder than hell in the winter and not very many Portuguese speak English. The cafes and bars are always full of men, but rarely any women.” They both were interested in meeting women.

Spain

At Badjoz, Spain, the brothers were invited to an all-night gypsy singing party. “We listened to the wailing cry of a gypsy flamenco singer and watched the energetic gypsy dancers. We were told it was not unusual for them to stay up all night singing and dancing.” By mid-January, 1971, they arrived at Madrid. “They said they were averaging 18 miles a day and the only inconvenience they have had so far was getting soaked to the skin walking through storms in Spain.” They spent two weeks at Madrid. Dave commented, “The towns are much dirtier than in Portugal, but the people seem to be basically the same. The countryside is beautiful, olive trees, grape orchards, cork trees, and reddish, stony soil.”

On the beach along the sea their problem mule tried to get away. “We were resting on the beach when something spooked Willie. She bolted, pulling the rope loose. It took us 15 minutes to catch her. If the rope hadn’t tangled around her leg, she probably would have taken off for Portugal.”

“A typical day for the brothers was: Up at 9 a.m. Down for a continental breakfast of coffee and rolls. To the stable to get Willie, then off to the next village, normally about 20 miles farther. At night they find the mayor. They give him a letter from the tourist officials telling him to supply the brothers food and a place to sleep, and a stable for Willie.” Dave added, ”Then maybe the mayor buys us a few glasses of wine or beer. In the evening we usually walk through the village to look it over.”

France

Before entering France in February 1971, they were warned by American tourists that the French would look down on them because they didn’t speak French, looked like a couple of hippies, and smelled like a mule. Sure enough, the hospitality was drastically less. The tourist organization was not of much help, but the American Embassy was enthusiast and helped them with good contacts.

They were helped in France by an organization that was created to improve relations with America. Places to stay were found with French families. “We also slept in youth hostels and used out tent. A famous blacksmith in Marseille was kind enough to put new shoes on Willie. We were at the church in St. Tropez, France when Mike Jagger of the Rolling Stones got married.” The weather was still a problem and their mule sill kept running away. “Once we had to chase her almost a mile before we got her back.” Their pace was believable, about 15 miles per day.

At Menton France, a Louisiana tourist, Bernard Tardy saw the Kunsts with their mule walking along the Mediterranean sea wall near the small fishing village. He said, “Its not every day that two young men and a mule come ambling along. I slowed my car down to get a better look. The two men turned toward me with noncommittal eyes and half a smile.” He leaned out the window and asked them what they were doing. “Going around the world,” was their reply. He invited them to their home for hamburgers and they accepted the invitation. “The fellows came to my villa and parked with mule in my garden. We ate our hamburgers, and the mule ate my geranium.” They talked for hours and their children loved watching the mule in the garden. They spent the night in nice beds and continued on in the morning.

The brothers learned to ignore automobile traffic, although it was probably their greatest danger. European drivers drove faster and more reckless than in America. On the narrow, twisting roads, thousands of frustrated drivers would whiz along, passing them on curves or shoulders. They admitted boredom at times. “Anything over and over gets to be a drag. Walking gets to old. Sometimes I wish I could get into a car and just drive away.”

John came up with the idea to meet Princes Grace at Monaco. With some contacts, a visit was put together because she supported UNICEF. On June 9, 1971, they were invited into the courtyard of the Monaco Palace. Although she agreed to me, they failed to inform her that they would be bringing their mule. “We walked into the royal palace in Monaco. Princess Grace came down a spiral staircase looking beautiful. All of the sudden she spotted our big mule, Willie. She stopped on the steps, smiled a little bit and said, I’ve seen lots people before but never have met two guys with a mule. Will she kick?” After a nice meeting she said, “You are adventurous in a world that seems to lack adventure.”

Italy

The Italians couldn’t seem to figure them out. “They made us wait six hours at the border because of our mule. Then we had to walk 6 kilometers to another border crossing. The Italians thought we were funny and took us for a joke much of the time.”

They met another celebrity in at a restaurant in Alassion, Italy. He was Norwegian adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl, the man who rafted 4,300 miles across the Pacific on the Kon Tiki. “He invited us to breakfast in his mountain place and gave us a copy of his book, ‘The Ra Expeditions.’ He told us, ‘The world needs people like you. Don’t give up.’”

Getting through the language barrier was a challenge at times. “Dave and John communicate with a host through pantomimes, facial expressions, or imitations in the best tradition of sign languages used in early western movies.” Finances were becoming an issue. They had gone through $750 of their $1,000 savings. “The brothers say they will either postpone the trip in Italy to work, or perhaps have someone at home take out a loan if a sponsor doesn’t appear before they run out of funds.”

At Venice, they needed special permission from the local police to take their mule through the city because normally no animal, except cats and dog, could be walked in Venice, because of its very small streets.

Yugoslavia and Bulgaria

The brother traveled through Yugoslavia and Bulgaria. Going through Yugoslavia, they were surprised how many people spoke English, more than any other European country so far. But conditions were rough. They camped out nearly every night. “The highway passes through no towns. It was windy, raining and cold. The people were unfriendly and the countryside was ugly.” Near Zagreb, after a sleeping bag and a pair of shoes were stolen, they acquired a dog they named, ”Drifter,” to help keep watch at night.

In Bulgaria, their experience was worse. In the communist country people were afraid to come up to them. Their foot was tasteless but their yogurt was fantastic. Dave said, “Bulgaria was the worst of all. The feeling you get there is bad. No choice, no freedom, no nothing.” Because they were low on money they couldn’t go any place that cost money and couldn’t socialize with tourists. They passed through villages where huge posters showed bombs over the heads of women and children and identified Americans as “U.S. assassins” asking for peace in Vietnam.

Dave wrote, “We have been through a hell of a lot. We never stay in one place long enough to get to know any people. We have been cold and wet with no place to go except our tent. We have been cheered, booed, laughed at and patted on the back. All I know is we need to keep going.” Their pace through Europe was consistent and believable.

Turkey

Dave and John reached Turkey and stayed three weeks at the American Embassy at Istanbul, making visits to the mayor and other dignitaries. They were told that a mule would not be able to carry enough food and water across Turkey, into Iran and Afghanistan. They were advised to get a cart with canvas and use it to sleep in. A nice four foot by six foot wagon was purchased for them. They christened the vehicle “USA-Turk Machine” and left the city in mid-November, 1971. They crossed the Bosporous Straits into Asia on a ferry boat and stopped at the U.S. Air Force base in Karamursel.

“A native told them to beware of wild dogs, wolves, and bandits in Turkey and Iran and offered them a rifle for protection. Drifter, their dog, lost his life in a fight with two Turkish sheep dogs.”

In February 1972, word came that the two were waiting out the severe winter in Turkey. They arrived at Ankara prior to Christmas and then walked 175 miles toward the Soviet border. “We found out the Russians had officially denied us permission to walk their country. Because the weather was very cold and there was lots of snow in Eastern Turkey, we decided to return to Ankara for a couple of months.” They hoped to obtain visas to China once they arrived at Tehran, Iran. Over the winter, they stayed in an apartment provided by the American Embassy. As it turned out, Turkey had one of the worst winters in years. They struggled getting safe drinking water and sanitary food. Looking ahead toward going through Iran, they said, “The country is wild and the people can be dangerous, but the greatest danger will be the huge wolf dogs.”

Iran

Six month later, in August 1972, the Kunst brothers were reported to be in Iran. They had toured Mashad in northeastern Iran near the Soviet Union border, seeing the Tomb of Ferdowsi. An Iranian citizen was interested in trading a camel for the mule. John said that they would continue to fight with the mule instead of switching.

At Taibad, Iran, Dave wrote, “Things are getting tougher now, harder to find safe food and water and the climate is hot and dry. It hasn’t rained for 2 ½ months.” The Chinese had turned them down allowing them to walk through their country. “Why won’t the Chinese let two Americans walk across their country? It’s for mankind, for a good cause. We said we would like to have them send a walking club or somebody to walk with us. What could they be afraid of?”

They visited a bar with some U.S. Marines in Tehran. All of a sudden a few Muslin men in the tavern came toward them and the Marines went on full alert, worried for the two American civilians. They made a formation and the men quickly left.

One day they passed by some very small Iranian villages that were off road. “The American Embassy in Teharan had warned us it might be dangerous to camp in tiny villages that were off the main road. For that reason, we decided to make it to the Afghanistan border where we had been told there was a military contingent.”

Dave wrote, “In the morning we will cross into Afghanistan, and then our adventure will start. We have talked to tourists and officials about Afghanistan. They all say it is very dangerous. The people are poor and there are bandits. They advise everyone not to camp on the roadside or travel at night. Many people there carry guns.” John wrote, “Our attitude has always been, thanks for the warning but we’ve committed ourselves and we have to keep moving. It’s this going on in the face of almost overwhelming advice against it that bothers me. It’s like a play with all actors playing their parts right up to the tragic ending.”

Afghanistan

Despite the dangers, they felt welcomed by the people of Afghanistan as they went through the country. They were met at the border with soldiers to protect them. The governor at Herat hosted an official banquet for them and gave them a nomad dog to protect their wagon at night. “The police followed us almost to Kabul, but we thought we had gotten through the most dangerous part.” After staying at Kabul for two weeks they started out toward Kabul. They believed the road ahead was less dangerous.

On October 22, 1972, word was received to the United States that in Afghanistan, John Kunst was killed by bandits and Dave was wounded. The attack took place near Sabori, about 25 miles east of Kabul. The bothers were camped in a rugged river gorge area when they were attacked,

As they camped at night, a truck stopped, two men got out and began working on their engine. About an hour later, six other Afghans stopped at the truck and began beating the truck drivers. They looted the truck and then headed toward the Kunst’s wagon. Dave fired a warning shot in the air with his shot gun and shouted for them to go away. They did back off and the brothers felt relieved. But the bandits were determined because they believed that the Kunsts had money for UNICEF in the cart. They circled around and fired two shots. One hit Dave in the chest. Dave then handed the shotgun to John and told him to shoot. John shot once and then was hit in the side.

All the bandits rushed John immediately, and Dave heard John cry out, ‘This is stupid, you dummies. Please! Dave called to John to fake death and heard John moaning. It was apparent at that point that a second shot was fired from very close range striking John in the neck. Dave played dead for about half an hour while the Afghans unloaded the wagon. They came to him, thinking he was dead and stole his watch.

The two truck drivers freed themselves during the wagon looting and drove away. This apparently frightened the bandits, and they ran down the road. Dave later said, “I went to my brother and tried to feel a pulse, but I had a feeling he was dead. I told myself I had to get help and I tried to stop several trucks, but they wouldn’t stop. I thought of the mule and went back to the wagon and untied the mule, then stood on a water jug and tried to mount, but the mule wouldn’t cooperate. He had never been ridden. I remembered we had gasoline, and I thought I’d spread it across the road and ignite it, then they’d stop. But in the wagon everything was scattered all over and I couldn’t find the gasoline. So I went back to the road and went down on my knees, holding my side. I was really bleeding by then.” Trucks and soldiers passed, by but no one would stop.

Police finally arrived at the scene five hours later and took Dave to the hospital. He had worries of bleeding to death during those waiting hours, but felt he was going to make it. Additional tragedy occurred when a truck carrying soldiers to search for the bandits overturned on a curve killing two soldiers and critically injuring six others. Dave refused to be admitted at the Kabal hospital which he knew was a “butcher shop” and insisted to be taken to the American dispensary near the U.S. Embassy. He had lost a lot of blood but was in satisfactory condition. The bullet had gone through him and nicked his lung, nearly totally collapsing it. He bled internally for several days.

The news was printed on the front page on newspapers across America. Dave’s wife Jen issued a statement, “We believed in what the boys were doing. We hope that somehow through John’s death and Dave’s injury, their mission and UNICEF’s mission will be furthered. They knew they would have a lot of problems when they set out. We knew it too, but you just can’t prepare for something like this. We had a tough time for a while this morning.” Dave would later be upset that the family kept mentioning UNICEF, because to him the walk was not about UNICEF.

The family wired Dave money through the State Department to ship John’s body home and also for Dave’s return trip. Jan said, “I can’t see him doing this alone. He’s a long way from home.” Dave’s father, Al Kuntz, said, “They were doing something they really believed in and we backed them all the way.” Dave eventually contacted his family and said, “John and I decided that if anything happened to one of us, the other would go on. I really feel that way but I’d be unable to do it by myself. I’d have to get the cooperation of the countries I would be walking through.”

Just a few days later, police arrested three persons in connection with the murder that took place on the Kabul-Jelalabad Road. More arrests were made later and the leader of the gang was Mohammed Jan, also known as “Machoo.” He told the police that the killing was accidental. The gang had been following the Kunst brothers for several days before the killing, thinking that they had been collecting cash donations that they wanted to steal. A police source said that the man would likely get the death penalty and be hung where John had been killed.

John’s body was returned to Minnesota and a funeral held on October 29, 1972. Dave was still recovering at Kabul. Former vice president, Hubert Humphrey attended. Reverend Francis Kunz said, “Today we honor a young man who gave his life for a cause in which he so firmly believed. Those of us with less courage than was exemplified by these two bothers in their walk around the world might question why they chose this adventure. But they were undoubtedly motivated to help the underprivileged children of the world. We deeply regret that their lofty purpose has, for one of them, come to such a tragic ending. The good they have accomplished can never be measured in dollars and cents.”

Doctors soon recommended that Dave return home to recover from his chest wound. He didn’t need surgery but did need time to regain his strength. Senator Humphrey worked to secure military transportation for him. A fund was established to raise money for a memorial for John and also to allow Dave to finish his walk if he chose.

On November 13, 1972, Dave started his trip home. He was feeling fine but tired easily. He arrived in New York City on November 28^th and returned home in early December. He addressed a press conference at the Minneapolis Airport. The photographers wanted romantic pictures of a happy reunion with his wife which made him feel uncomfortable. He did not want to be home and didn’t want to be with his wife.

Dave said, “The walk will definitely go on. I want to keep the ball rolling. When I was in that hospital in Afghanistan, I got letters from all over the world. It kept my spirits up to know that so many people believe in what my brother and I were doing. I will be back to finish what my brother and I started so he will not have died for nothing.” He had lost 15 pounds while recovering.

It was hard for him to be home. He had gone on his trip to escape that life. Jan had made an amazing scrapbook with clippings and pictures about his walk that he looked through. But he was a changed man and didn’t really want to be home with his family. He longed to continue his adventure and be with exciting people.

Continued in Part 2

Read all parts:

Sources:

The La Crosse Tribune (Wisconsin), Jun 28, 1970, Oct 23, 30-31, Nov 12, 1972, Jan 4, Feb 5, 1973, Jul 24, 1974, Aug 15,16, 1974
Traverse City Record-Eagle (Michigan), Jun 1, 1970
Star Tribune (Minneapolis, Minnesota), May 24, Jun 26, Oct 14, 1970, Jan 29, Feb 12, Apr 2, Jun 20, Oct 27, 1971, October 23, 1972, Feb 22, Mar 1, Apr 2, 1973,Jun 3, 1973, Jan 2, Jun 7, Sep 15, 22,24,26 Oct 5,6 1974, Oct 28, 1979
The Winona Daily News (Minnesota), Jun 24, 28, Nov 8, Dec 22, 1970, Apr 5, 1971, Aug 24, 1972, Mar 5, Sep 13, 1973, May 2, 1974, Jun 19, Aug 28, 1974, Jun 14, 2004
Leader-Telegram (Eau Claire, Wisconsin), Jul 4, 1970, Feb 29, 1972
The Capital Times (Madison, Wisconsin), Jul 9, 1970
The Daily Chronicle (De Kalb, Illinois), Jul 16, 1970
The Courier-News (Bridgewater, New Jersey), Jul 22, 1970
The Times (Munster, Indiana), Jul 24, 1970
The Evening Review (East Liverpool, Ohio), Aug 17, 1970, Jun 3, 1971, Feb 10, 1972
Pittsburgh Press (Pennsylvania), Aug 18, 1970
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania), Aug 19, 1970
The Ligonier Echo (Pennsylvania), Aug 26, 1970
Public Opinion (Chambersburg, Pennsylvania), Sep 1, 1970
The Morning Herald (Haberstown, Maryland), Sep 2, 1970
Intelligencer Journal (Lancaster, Pennsylvania), Sep 5, 1970
The Central New Jersey Home News (New Brunswick, New Jersey), Oct 1, 1970
The Bismarck Tribune (North Dakota), Oct 14, 1970
Daily News (New York City), Oct 8, 1970
The La Crosse Tribune (Wisconsin), Nov 7, 1970
The Daily Tribune (Wisconsin Rapids), Dec 4, 1970
The Baltimore Sun (Maryland), Dec 9, 1970
Orlando Evening Star (Florida), Dec 10, 1970
The Corpus Christi Caller-Times (Texas), Feb 1, 1971
The Minneapolis Star (Minnesota), Apr 22, 1971, Dec 4, 1972, Jul 12, 1973, Sep 24,28, Oct 5, 1974, May 5, 1977
Vidette-Messenger of Porter County (Valparaiso, Indiana), Jun 3, 1971
Kingsport Times (Tennessee), Jun 9, 1971
The Star Press (Muncie, Indiana), Jul 25, 1971
Des Moines Tribune (Iowa), Aug 3, 1971
Argus-Leader (Sioux Falls, South Dakota), Oct 28, 1971, Jul 13, 1973
Fond Du Lac Commonwealth Reporter (Wisconsin), Nov 18, 1971
Wilmington News-Journal (Ohio), Feb 10, 1972
The Cloud Times (Saint Cloud, Minnesota), Mar 14, 1972, Apr 30, Jul 3, 1973, Feb 25, 1974, Sep 4, Oct 7, 1974, Ot 2, 1975
Waukesha Daily Freeman (Wisconsin), Oct 24, 1972
The Journal Times (Racine, Wisconsin), Oct 25, 1972
Quad-City Times (Davenport, Iowa), Nov 7, 1972
The Honolulu Advertiser (Hawaii), Feb 12, 1973
The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minnesota), Apr 28, 1973
Ames Daily Tribune (Iowa), May 14, 1973
Wausau Daily Herald (Wisconsin), Sep 13, 1973
The Tampa Times (Florida), Sep 27, 1973
The Sydney Morning Herald (Australia), Nov 18, 1973
The Des Moines Register (Iowa), Dec 14, 1973, Jul 20, 1974
Globe-Gazette (Mason City, Iowa), Jan 17, 1974
The PIoneeer (Bemidji, Minnesota), Mar 15, 1974
Independent (Long Beach, California), Apr 16, 1974
Times-Advocate (Escondido, California), Jul 23, 1974
The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minnesota), Jul 29, 1974
The Gunnison Valley News (Utah), Aug 22, 1974
The Salina Sun (Utah), Aug 22, 1974
The Daily Spectrum (Utah), Aug 22, 1974
Greeley Daily Tribune (Colorado), Aug 31, 1974
Akron Beacon Journal (Ohio), Aug 31, 1974
The Lincoln Star (Nebraska), Sep 20, 1974
The Daily Journal (Fergus Falls, Minnesota), Sep 26, Nov 29, 1974
The Town Talk (Alexandria, Louisiana), Dec 3, 1794
Waukesha Daily Freeman (Wisconsin), Oct 8, 1974
The Los Angeles Times (California), Jan 11, 1976, Jun 25, 1978, Aug 1, 1984
Tallahassee Democrat, (Florida), August 19, 1978
Calgary Herald (Canada), Aug 31, 2002
David Kunst and Clinton Trowbridge, The Man Who Walked Around the World

44: Dave Kunst – Walk Around the World – Part 1

By Davy Crockett

Continued in Part 2

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