The Athens post. [volume] (Athens, Tenn.) 1848-1917, 1855-11-09
THE KANE EXPEDITION.

DR.. Kane's search have wild interest. Al
one time it became necessary to send ia.
tigue party with provisions, to assist the main
party under Dr. Kane, in an attempted pas.
sage across Smiths sound. This party was
under the command of STr. Brooks, first off.
Ger of the expedition. lie was accompanied
by Mr.. Wilson and othor volunteers. During
their travel they found the ice completely
impenetrabe, and snow drift at last swept
widely over the noes, and in the midst of n
heavy gale from the North. the thermometer
to their dismay, sunk to iilty.seven degrees
below zero. Human nature could not sup.
port the terrible cold. Four of the party,
including Mr.. Brooks and Mr.. Wilson, wcp
prostrated with frozen feet, and with gr
difficulty, three Of their compaiions-
encountering great suffering, reached the s.
and announced the condition of their com,
rades. Their chances of being rescued seem.
ed extremely small They were in the midst
of wilderness of snow, incapable of mo.
tion, protected only by canvass tent, and
with no land marks by Which their position
could be known. Even to drag these main.
ed men would have been; under ordinary cir
cumstances, II work of difficulty, but to
the slender party left at the ship, it seemed
to be impossible. DR.. Kane, with the bold.
ness and courage which justified the warm
attachment felt towards him by all under his
command, in less than one hour organized n
rescuing party, leaving on board only those
who were necessary to receive the sick, and
started off in the teeth Of terrific gale, steer
ing by compass to rescue the sufferers. After
nineteen hours constant travel, during which
two of the party tainted, aud others required
to be kept from sleep by force, they struck
the trail of the lost party, and finally, stag.
gering under their burden, one by one reach.
ed the tent, which was almost hidden in snow.
The scene as Dr. Kane entered the tent
was affecting beyond description. The party
burst unto tears. A blubber fire was imme.
diatcly built, pemmcan cooked, and the par.
ty ate for the first time after leaving the YES.
sci. Ice was also melted, they having been
to this time without drink. Worn out MS
they were, but four hours were allowed for
the halt. The manned of the frozen party
were sewed up in Buffalo robes, placed on
sIedges and dragged along by their compan.
ions. DR.. Kane walked in advance picking
the track. Cold of the utmost severity again
overlook them. Bonsall aud Morton, and
even the Esqnimaux boy, IIanee, sunk upon
the snow with sleep. 1t was only by force
that they were aroused and made to proceed,
MS the cold seemed to have destroyed all con.
ception of danger. A large bear, met on
their way, was fortunately scared off by DR..
Kane, by the simple waving of his haLd.-
They reached the ship after II walk of sixty
two hours, still dragging their companions
behind them, but insensible. DR.. Hayes, the
Intelligent surgeon of the ship, from whom
we obtained the particulars of this fearful
adventure, received the returning party. Two
of the number died of their injuries, two
others underwent amputation, who are now
restored to perfect health. The condition of
those who dragged the sick was most amen
table. Their memory for the time was en-
tirely gone, and the slip, in the midst of
uuttering delirium, resembled an insane hos.
pital. The surgeon and one remaining ut.
tendant wasin sole charge of the ship. In this
state of sem.madness the sick remained for
two or three days, but afterwards they entire
ly recovered, and the party under DR.. Kane
started .hree weeks afterwards and resumed
their labors in the field
lntrepidlty, like this, has never been sur
passed. 1t is spoken Of with emotion, even
now, by the stoutcst hearts in the expedition.
sS- The city Of Philadelphia appears to be
bankrunt there beinr NO funds /, tbo troos,,