The Tipton advertiser. [volume] (Tipton, Cedar Co., Iowa) 1856-1962, 1859-10-29
The Fate Of Sir john Flumklin.

lhc telegraph informs US that the fate
Of Franklin il no longer mystery. Papers
by the Canada place his death beyond
the shadow of doubt. Tho steamer
Fox has returned sfsom an Attic voyage,
aud brings with hos, many interesting
relics and records. OF the Franklin expe-
di,ion. The last anchosing place Of the
party WIS on King Williams Island, a.
bout 500 miles from Hudson's BY in
northeast directions, in latitude go, Ion.
gitude go. The record bore date April
18th, 1913. From it they learned that
Franklin himself died june llth, 1S47;
that up to that date nine office aud ff-
teen men had persisted; that their ships
were abandoned three days previously aud
that tho survivors, orc hundr,d and Eve
in number, were then trying to make
their way southwark to Great Fish river,
hoping in this way, doubtless, to reach
the regions VI civilization. The ships
according to the Esqunaux, were soon
destroyed, the Que being crushed in the
ice, aud the other driven ashore. The
chapter Of Arctic suffering aud discovery
is now complete Whatever has been
learned, has been at 4 -feuffai cost Of
health aud life. But the greatest sacraiicc
though made early in, the history Of
northern explorations, has now been de-
finitely announced, only when almost
the last daring navigator bad withdraw
from the unknown seas, aud When the
name Of the victim was scarcely remcm
bercd, except in connection with his
doubtful and unaecomp lished mission.
The expedition, it viii be remembered
left England in May As, for the pur-
pose of making the great Northwest pas
sage; composed as it was Of tired ships,
picked men under brave, hardy and ex.
perienccd leader, it anticipated speedy
succss. When last seen, it was moorcd
to an iceberg off the entrance 10 Lancas.
ger soxnd, waiting for a passage to be
cleared toward the west. This was ear
]y in July Of the same year. When tHo
Years had passed with 10 ,idings from
the party, fears for his safety begun to
arise; aud in Is, three expeditions were
sent out BY the British Government to
look after, and, if possible, rescue the
survivors. But their fate, WIS already
sealed; aud tho from years to year, ex-
rcdi,ion followed expedition; though
wealth, enterprise and even life Itself
were made of llt,le account III promoting
the search, nothing satisfactory until now
has been ascerianed Prominent among
tn, efforts pu. forth were the Arctic expo
rations otthe lanientcd Dr.. kaua, the rec
ords vi which are Of the most thrilling
interest, and have been widely read -
Whether the gains to science are sur-
ficicnt to compensate for the loss, is, to
say the least, doubtful question; aud
had no. u desire to rescue the brave and
probably suffering scamcn Of the Erchus
and Terror, from IA fearful death, promted
the efforts that were made, it is 1itiicult
to see on what princ:l lie Of either justice
or cxrcdlonce the outlay OF life and
treasure coald b. justified.
We have omitted to mention, however,
.hat in 1880 traces were discovered of
Franklin by Captain Ommauey, of the
British navy. His winter quarters in
1915 g were found at Beechy I,laud-
The graves Of three men told that they
had met with sickness; bat as there was
cvidcn e hat provisions were p'enty, and
Il. 10 written record was found Of their
progress, stay or departure i: was prcsum-
Cd that then allwas well In the sane year
DR.. Rse, went in the vicinity Of where
the vessels were actually abandoned learn
I'd from the Indians that a party of white
men, about forty in number, lad been
jourueying 10 the south, and dragging
boa, aud sledges with them. Several
trinkets were found among them, but
nothing very reliable could then be as
csr.aincd. Several graves and unburicd
bodies were also seen, aud from the ap-
pearance of the dead it was inferred that
the party had been compelled to resor,
to caunlbalism for subsistence. This IS
probably the last remnant OF the expedi-
ton, ! bat any are now alive is extrmc-
Is doubtful. That there will now be nc
further search fo- sny who may possibly
survive We can resdily believe. Ia the
meantime We shall it with curiosity
for the publication If the records.