The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1875-07-30

Lady Franklin, whose death, July Is.
was announced in our Geographic dis
patches yesterday, was born about the
year 1900. She was married To Sir John
FRANKLIN March ), ISIS, her maiden name
being Jane Griffin, and her mothers an
cestors being French Huguenots. In 1886.
sir John was appointed Governor Of las
Iaaula, and his wife accompanied him 10
that island, where they remained seven
years. While ia that country she was
Well known for her libcrality toward the
poor, and also for a novel reward she
offered. She announced premium of ten
shlliings for every dead specimenoi poi
sonOus snake that infested the island. and
her proposition was so heartily responded
70 that the species was soon almost extinct.
SO warm remembrance did the islanders
cherish of Sir John and his devoted wife
that many years after, they collected by
voluntary subscription the SUN of CT 700,
hich they forwarded TO her for the pur-
pose of continuing the search after her lost
husband.
Her name il inseparably connected with
the history of Arctic exploration. Sir
John Franklin had been discoverer of
note, and had made two memorable expe-
sitions into northern regions, before he
went on the last Inflated Journey. Ii hal
been the dream of his life 10 discover the
Northwest Passage, and il was hoped that
the expedition intrusted 10 him would be
the last which would be sent among those
dangerous straits, which so many gallant
men had in vain attempted to penetrate.
Instead of the end, il proved but the be-
ginning.
On May 49, 1915, the Erebus and Terror,
commanded by Sir John Franklin and
Captain Richard Crozier, with total
company of 1873 men, sailed from Sheer
ness, England, with orders 10 return in
1871. On July 26, 1915. passing whaler
observed the two vessels moored 10 an
iceberg about the center of Bafin's Bay,
apparently awaiting an opportunity 10 get
into Lancaster Sound. They were never
seen again. During the year 1917, as
nothing had been heard of the expedition.
the anxiety of the English Government
was reused. and, early the following year
(lsiS), three relief expeditions were dis
patched TO discover and assist the unfortu-
nate crews. One of these proceeded by
way OF Behring Straits, another by Baffin's
Bay, but all returned unsuccessful.
In March, ls49, the English Govern
ment proclaimed that reward of G20. 900
would be paid TO any party of any nation
that would render efficient aid TO the miss
by Lady Franklin for intelligence of her
husband. The year 1850 saw no less than
ten distinct expeditions sent out by the
Government, by Lady Franklin, by pub
lie subscription, and by private individuals.
There Were twelve vessels in the
northern waters whose prime object
was rendering assistance to the
Erebus and Terror. At Beechey
Island the vessels discovered the first win
ter quarters of Sir Johns party, and the
Prince Albert was dispatched home with
the news. but Lady Franklin sent il back
as soon as possible 10 make further in
quiries. Captain Ross, in ISL. brought
back a TumOr that Franklin's party had
All been murdered by the Esquimaax, in
Wostenholm Sound, and in 1852, Lady
Franklin sent the Isabel TO explore this
Sound. while the English Government
sent out five vessels on the hitherto I'M
successful search. In 1853, other attempts
at relief Were made-chief among which
were the Grinnell Expedition. the Pea
body. commanded by DIR. Kane. and the
Rattlesnake and Isabel, sent by Lady
Franklin. bes dies several others of little
less Importance. One of these ex pedi-
tions, commanded by DR.. Rae, was the
first to bring any definite news from the
unfortunate Franklin. The Esquimaux
told him that in 1850 they saw party Of
forty men pass down toward the main
land; that they seemed in extreme hun
ger. and gave them 10 understand that
their ships had been crushed, and that
they were going 10 the continent. In the
spr ny their corpses had been found on
the mainland, and with every evidence
that they had died Of starvation. The ma
tives possessed great numbers of relics of
the party, which Rae purchased and
brought back TO England.
In 1851, Lady Franklin fitted out. ut her
own expense, and dispatched another YES
sell the Fox. under the command Of Cap
tain McClintock. This officer was the first
who by the discovery of documents left
by Franklin's party. made IL certain that
all OF the crews of both vessels had per-
ished. McClintock, besides bringing
few records Of the lost vessels, brought
also many relies. purchased from the Is
quimaux, which placed all doubt at rest.
The late Captain Hall, in one of his jour
ncys 10 the north, also found and brought
back knives, and implements and watches
which had belonged 10 FrankIin's crew.
History presents few instances Of devo-
ton so complete ms that of this heroic
woman, waiting for her husband for so
many years. sick at heart, fearing that he
was dead. but hoping he still lived. and
spending all her property in sending out
one ship after another, only TO be met at
last with the chilling rews of fatal disas-
ter. How. and under what circumstances
Sir John franklin died Is still unknown,
ana will probably remain forever mys-
terry; but the conduct of the loving wife
has shed "A halo over her memory aud i'm
mortalized her name. Had it not been for
the fate of Sir John, shc would have been,
like the thousands OF other ladies in Eng
land, unknown and unregarded. She
grew old watching and waiting for one who
never came-Sf. Louis Globe Democrat.
A Divorced Couple Remarked.