Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1873-06-06
5Hiscellanu.
The POlaris Expedition.
STATEMENT OF THE SURVIVORS.

STATEMENT OF The SURVIVORS.
The details of the Polaris expedition,
derived from the survivors, are published
in the New York papers. The prevail
ing impression of these nineteen unfortu-
mates, when left on the ice, was that
Lieutenant Buddington had wilfully
abandoned them. They also believe
that Capt. Hall was poisoned They
lived principally upon seals, occasional
Iy indulging in roasted dog. They at
tribute their wonderful preservation to
the sagaeity and perseverance of Captain
Tyson, while the latter says that the sci
entifc results amount to nothing. The
expedition demonstrated that it is pos
sible to penetrate farther into the mys-
terious regions of the sea and ice than
Franklin, Hayes or any other explorer
proceeded, and furnished evidences OF
the probable existence of Polar sea.
STATEMENT OF THE STEWARD.
John Heron, steward of the Polaris,
makes the following statement regarding
the sickness and death of Captain Hall
Captain Hall had good health up to the
time of returning from the sledge expe.
dition. He was not sick when he came
on board, but complained soon after
wards, and said that the heat of the
cabin affected him. He got water to
wash, and put on clean underclothing.
/ asked what he would have; was anx-
ious to get him something nice. He
didn't care about anything but cup Of
coffee, and didn't drink even that. l had
no conversation with Captain Hall when
he was sick, except to ask him if he was
better occasionally, or how he was, and
such like. He was sick fortnight, and
talked very little. He was perfectly de.
lirous for the last few days. l think he
was paralyzed on one side; heard no one
say SO /; it was my own opinion. There
was nothing sudden about his death
he was attended by DIR. Bessel and Mr.
Morton who did everythingin their power
to alleviate his sufferings, but without eff
feet. His illness cast a gloom over the en-
tire company, and was the first discourag
ing circumstance which had occurred il
connection with the expedition. His
death made us all feel very sad.
CAPT. TYsoN's ACCOUNT.
Capt. Tyson, speaking of Capt. Hall'i
death, says: Capt. Hall was sick fifteer
days. At first he was paralized anC
then delirous he was insensible when ht
died. He started from the ship on sleC
expedition northward on the 10 of Dc
tober. He was absent fourteen days ant
returned on the Oath of October to th,
ship. On the Sth of November he dieC
and was buried. His grave bore soutl
southeast and about 800 PAGES distan
from the Observatory in Polaris Bay
which was in lat SO 38. long, 61o A
on the shore We erected board owe
his grave with an inscription cut givin,
his name, age go years., date of deatl
and command of North Polar Expedi
ton. All hands except the cook attend
ed his funeral. 1t was dark, dismal
cold, windy and disagreeable day tn,
wind was mourpfully bowling, and tn
hearts of all were enveloped in the deep
est sadness. | held lantern and b,
the light of it the beautiful service 0
the Episcopal Church was read by Mr.
Bryant. As the soothing words. 81 an
the resurrection and the life, saith tn,
LoId," fell upon the ears of the auditors
there were few dry eyes, and there, amiC
savage desolation of nature most rugged
the power of Christianity made itsel
felt by those who had never before &C