Amongst the real historical figures encountered by the group are Jane Digby, an upper class British woman who scandalized society by marrying outside her race and class and legendary Western lawman Bass Reeves, thought to be the inspiration for the Lone Ranger. Abigail Fortescue may have been inspired by Nellie Bly, a real life female Victorian journalist who recreated Fogg's fictional journey and completed it in 72 days.