The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1873-05-21
Charles Francis Hall the Dead Arc
tie ExpIorSf.

II
Many years ago when boy at schoo
in Cincinnati, the writer remembers 9
little store nesting close 10 the old
Presbyterian church, on Fourth street
uear Main. 1t was a modest little two
story building, and on the first foo,
was carried on the business of seal en-
craving. the printing of wedding cards
and fancy stationery. Over the front
door was displayed q small sign, in
plain letters.
CT. HALL,
-. Seal Engraver.
This was no less q person than
Charles Francis Hall, the celebrated
Arctic explorer. then about forty years
Of age, whose death in the Polar re-
gions is just announced.
He was indeed q remarkable man,
eccentric to the last degree, and those
who knew him we'll are not surprised
that the close and persistent pursuit OF
the one grand idea of his life has re.
suited in placing his name on the list OF
the worlds famous men. - -..
The writer remembers. an incident
which will serve to illustrate the .pecu-
liar character of the man. 1t was IN
1855, on the occasion Of the completion
OF the first Atlantic cable. Hall had
put in operation in his printing office a
small Ericsson's caloric engine, the first
used in Cincinnati, and when the dis
patch was received announcing the
successful landing OF the cable, and in
cluding the first telegram transmitted
through it, he published the news on q
small slip entitled the Occasional, which
was sold at the price of q penny. The
excitement was immense, and the cir
cula,ion, as may be readily imagined,
was for that city. enormous, The next
day the Occasional appeared slightly
enlarged, and containing the announce.
ment that it was printed on the ca!oric
press, which the curious were invited
to call and examine. The publication
of the little paper was continued, and so
popular did it become that in a short
time it resulted in the establishment OF
The Penny Press. q paper which met
with srea, success, under the editorial
supervision OF Henry Reed. and was
continued till shortly after the war be-
gan, when iis course in advocating
"peaceable secession" met with storm
of indignation, and resulted in the dis
continuance OF its publication.
Hall felt that he was $50 to speak),
called" to the enterprise OF seeking out
successfully the survivors Of Sir John
Franklin's expedition, whom he believ"
ed still lived among the Esquimesux'
and for many years he was close stu
dent OF everything pertaining to the
Arctic regions. One OF his many &c
centrici,ies during this time was to
occasionally pass the night in the midst
of winter exposed to the biting blasts,
on the summit OF Monnt Auburn, near
Cincinnati. On such occasions ne would
carry a lantern and one OF his favorlte
books, and pass the night in study. His
object, be said. was to become thorough
" iuured TO the cold. Many believed
him crazy, but he was simply mono,
maniac on the subject OF his one grand
idea.
For years he struggled along in com.
psrative poverty. without the means OF
carving out his project, but never
despsiriug, aud with unswerving faith
in bis ultimate success. He was cease,
lessly agita,ing. in quiet, determined
and unostentsiious manner, his plan Of
exploration.
lie succeed in interesting Henry
Grinnell and others in his cause, and at
last il seemed as though the anxious
dream OF years would be realized, when
early in 1859 Capt. Sir F. L. McClln-
,ock returned from the artic regions, in
the Yacht Fox, bringing the first detin-
ite information Of the tate ofthe Frank
lin expedition. =,
1t was now believed that Hall would
abandon his object, but the tact II at
McCliutock failed to account for lO5
of Frankln's seamep, who had absn.
doned tie ships, and started overland
in the hope OF making their escape.
only stimulated him anew, for be was
convinced that some at least OF these
men were still living among the Esqul-
maux, and the additional knowledge
derived from McClirtock's discoveries,
left the field of exploration so circum-
scribed that he was more than ever
convinced that be would be successful.
He consequently renewed his efforts,
and, visiting New York, ne so favora-
bly impressed Henry Grinnell. that this
gentleman at once assured him OF sub
stsntial aid and assistance.
He had previously succeeded in en-
listing the support Of Gov. Dennison,
and the late Chief Justice Chase, then
United States Senator fIom Ohio, and
accordingly he returned to Cincinnati
ard pushed forward his preparations
with great energy. His fellow towns..
men lent him q helping hand, and
during the winters of 1859 and 1850 he
succeeded in completing oil his arrange
ments The writer remembers one day
being invited to inspect the sledge which
he was to take along, for, unlike other
explcrers, be was determined to make
An overland journey, carrying only a
small portable boat; and at the same
time Hall also displayed with prloe
some VERY handsomely bound note
books, presented by one OF his friends
Among other articles presented by his
fellow citizens, was supply OF pemmi,
can, in herme,;cslIy sealed cases, and
various useful articles, but noihing
ornamental or superfuous.
AT last one evening in the early
sprips OF 1860, all things beng In ieadi'
ness, Hall left the little store IN chafg'
of his wife and set out on that great e9
| -L;oh uas the dream OF hli