Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1881-12-28
SURVIVORS OF THE JEAN
NEATTE.
Their Probable HOmeWaTd
ROute-A Pleasure Trip
Through a Fine Country.
NASHVILLE American. III

Nashville American. 2f.l
Mr.. Perry NJ. D. Collins, who is now
in this city, had a contract with the
Russian government in the year 1865
for building a telegraph line into and
through Siberia, down the AmoOr
river, TO the eastern coast, which vas
aherWard transferred to the Western
Union company, but the line was con-
strueted under his direction and that
Of Mr.. KEENAN,, whose letter TO eNe
Secretary Of the Navy has lately been
published. In the course Of his ex-
plOrations be has become familiar with
the country, so that his observations
regarding the probable condition of
the Jeannette's crew are of interest.
Mr.. Collins said yesterday that he had
little to do and to what Mr.. KEENAN,
had already said, but that he is quite
confident the missing boat will be
found, and that the hardships Of all
the survivors are ended.
81 am sure" be said, that they are
now enjoying every comfort and every
luxury Of civilized life. The mere
fact that they are shipWreeked seamen
would guarantee it. Besides, they
are Americans. Moreover, they are
naval men. Rest assured that the
Russian government and people will
do their utmost in their behalf. As
to their journey homeward, the best
route is by way Of Moscow, They will
undoubtedly take that. So far from
its being one OF difficulty or discom-
fort, it is one Of absolute pleasure. |
never eIiSyed anything more in my
life than my sledge ride from Irkutsk
to Moscow. The distance is about
$500 miles, and | was twenty seven
days on the journey. That was about
100 miles per day. Talk Of a sleigh
ride in Central Park along
side Of a sleigh ride like that
Thermometer? Why, sometimes the
mercury was forty degrees below zero.
but the ar was still and dry. | was
wrapped up in furs. / had three.
four, FIVE aud sometimes six horses tc
my sledge, scampering to the music o.
bells over the seemingly boundlesl
plains and through the dense forests
Almost every night | was quartered a
some nobleman's or gentleman's house
nthe towns or in the country, where
the most profuse hospitality was ex.
tended TO me, for | was under govern.
ment conduct, as these men will be-
Being asked about the likelihood O
Captain Berry Of the RODGERS getting
information Of the loss Of the Jean.
nette and the safety Of her crew, Mr.
Collins said:
He has heard all about it long ago
There is an extensive trade all alonj
the coast in summer carried on in boats
and in winter on sledges all the way t
Behring's straits. | am sure tina
Captain De Long and Captain Berr
have been in communication sith eac'
other, and unless the latter has som
further orders 70 hunt up that valua
bic North Pole SO that another expo
dition VIII be sent to find him, he wi
get back to San Francisco as soon a
the breaking up Of the ice wi
allow him to get through the straits
l don't see any good that will com
out of this whole thing e1
eepting that our people ma
learn something about Siberii.
don't believe there are ten men in th
United States that know anythin
about it. Why, sir, it is II Of th
finest countries 10 the world. I'll
summers are short, it is true, but 70
can almost see things grow-and the
do grow away up TO nearly seventy d.
grees-wheat, barley, rye, buckwhea
wheat, oats, and everything else in Il
greatest abundance. There is a teri
tory far larger than ours, with 81
millions Of inhabitants, q territol
Astounding in cereals, minerals, Gait
and sheep, and yet most people thin
it is prison or a skating park"