Buchanan County bulletin. [volume] (Independence, Iowa) 1869-1891, 1871-07-21
OFF FOR THE NORTH POLE.


By the time these lines fall under
the eyes of our most distant readers
the staunch arctic ship Polaris will
) be on her way toward the frozen
seas. Her commander, Captain
Charles f. Hall, who is well known
to our readers as an intrepid arctic
navigator, hopes to accomplish
something noteworthy during the
voyage. For twenty years it has
been the height of his ambition to
reach the north pole, or, at least, to
penetrate rs far in that direction as
it lies within the power of man
to do. While in the city Of
Cincinnati, in 1850, engaged if
his profession Of cngraver, Cap
tain Halls attention was first direct
ed to arctic matters by the interest
excited throughout the country by
the fitting out of the first Grinnell
expedition. Captain Hall became
an enthusiastic polar student; and
his leisure for the next decade was
spent in acquainting himself with
all that had been published regard
ing the terra incognita in the north,
and in watching the progress Of the
successive expeditions which bore
our flag near to the pole. On the
return of the English expedition of
M'Rae, in ls45, with relics of the
ill-fated Franklin, the English gov
ernmcnt declined further to prose-
cute the search for the missing eX-
plorer. But Lady Franklin was not
satisfied; and, after vainly appeal
ing to her government, fitted out at
her own expense Captain M'Clintock
with the For, and sent him to COM
plete the search. Captain Halls
deep sympathy was aroused by the
appeal of Lady Franklin. He doubt
ed not that the great mystery attend
ing the fate of Franklin and his
companions might be unravcled,
and he thought it might be possi-
bic to cooperate with M'Clintock
in his brave work by an expedition
from the United States. The story
of Captain Halls first expedition of
ls6O-G2 has been told by his own
pen. He sailed from New London,
Connecticut, in a whaler, which was
to land him, with boat and sledge,
upon the ice to the west of Davis
strait, and leave him to prosecute
his journey alone. The loss of his
boat prevented his journey west
ward to the region where it is known
Franklin perished; but, however,
his explorations, limited as they
were, were attended with glorious
results. Precious relies of the cx-
petition Of Frobisher, who sailed
three hundred years earlier by COM
mand of Queen Elizabeth, were
found; the fate of five seamen who
deserted that navi gator was deter
mened; and what had until then
been known as "Frobisher Strait
was completely explored by Hall,
and proved to be but 4 bay.
OF the second expedition Of Cap
tain Hall, covering period of five
years from 1864, complete record
is not yet published. He sailed
from New London in the whalcr
Monticello, and accompanied
only by the Esquimaux Joe and
Hannah, who had returned with
him from his first expedition. The
Monticel1o entered Hudson Bay,
landed the little party on it's north
ern shores, and left them to their
fortunes. For the next five years
Captain Hall completely denational-
lied himself, living with the Esqui-
maux, and, as they do, eating the
raw meat and drinking the oil by
which they preserve their animal
heat. He improved his time in com
pleteing his knowledge of their Ian
guage, customs, and traditions, and
in preparing himself for the great
expedition on which he has now en-
tered.
In September, 1869, Captain Hall
returned to the United States, ac-
companicd by his two faithful Es-
quimaux and their little adopted
child. His purpose of exploration
toward the pole had been matured
during his stay in Innuitland, and
he returned to the United States de-
termined to secure the means of ac-
complishing his great object. lie
had already proposed to ask the aid
of the government, and, although
his friends feared application to
Congress would be useless, Captain
Hall determined to prefer the peti-
ton. Soon after his return to New
York, Captain Hall was invited to
relate his experiences before the
American Geological and Statistical
Society. He was well received, and
Captain Hall determined to repeat
his story as Il public lecture at
Steinway Hall. His success was
excellent, and invitations to lecture
began to pour in upon him from
societies all over the country. To
Captain Hall means was thus pre-
sented of supporting himself and
little family during the preparation
for his new journey. Communities
all over the North are familiar with
this arctic explorer and his Esqui-
maux companions. The session Of
1s69-7o found Captain Hall at
Washington, appealing to the ma
tional Legislators for means to ac-
complish, in the name of his nation,
his work. In Captain Hall and his
purpose President Grant took
deep interest, and during his stay
in Washington Captain Hall became
a frequent visitor at the White
House. His time was spent in in
terviews with congressman, with
Congressional COMMITTEES, and in
all the routine of work demanded of
every man who asks of Congress
legislation in any degree personal.
Tie work was not ahseasy one, and
Captain Hall relates that he became
frequently discouraged. On such
occasions he had great comforter.
He would return to his lodgings,
and turn to his favoritc Knicker-
booker edition of Columbus" and
read Of the discouragements, re
bluffs, and insults which the great
discovercr met before success
I y