The Vancouver independent. (Vancouver, W.T. [Wash.]) 1875-1910, 1882-07-06
A SAD RECORD OF STARVATION
AND SUFFERING

WASHINGTON, June 26.-The war
department is in receipt OF a report
from Engineer Melville giving in de-
tail the story of his search for De Long
and party and the discovery of their
dead bodies. The following extracts
are from De Longs note book: Under
date of Monday, October Sd, De Long
writes his party thoughtthe saw a
hut, bat on reaching the spot found
only mound. A camp was made in
hole in the bluff and roaring fife
was soon drying and burning their
clothes, while a cold wind ate into
their backs. Nothing was left to eat
but their dog, which was killed and
dressed and stew made of such parts
as could not be cured. All took stew
except De Long. Alexy was to eX-
rhine what they thought hut, and
came back at night with favorable
report. 1t was decided to wait until
morning before leaving. 1t was then
below zero. Watch was set to keep
the fire from going Outand all huddled
around it, and thus the third night
without sleep was passed. If AleXy
had not wrapped his sealskin around
De Long and replaced it as it was
warmed by the heat of his body he
Ode Long, thinks he would have per-
ished. At A. NJ, the party reached
large enough hut to hold them, and
for the first time since Saturday they
manage to get warm. Ericsson was
very low and prayers were read for
him before the others sought rest. At
10 A. NJ. all except Alexy laid down to
sleep. Alexy went to hunt and at
noon returned, having fallen into the
river. At 6 p. NJ. had u pound of dog
meat for each person and cup of tea,
the days allowance, but they were so
grateful they were not exposed to the
terrible gale which was raging they
did not mind short rations. On We'd
nesday they had tea and dog meat for
breakfast. AleXy again went offhunt-
ing and came back with nothing. On
Thursday they had ,cnp of third
hand tea half an ounce of alcohol in
it. Alexy was again sent ont to hunt
and Erickson died wi lie 'e was gone.
Alexy returned empty 1as}ded.
The notes at this point say: "What
in Gods name is going to become of
us. Fourteen pounds of dog meat left
and 25 miles to possible settlement"
They could not dig grave for Erick-
son as the ground was frozen too hard,
and they had nothing to dig with, so
they sewed his body up in laps of
tent covered with their flags and bur-
led in the river. Three volleys from
the Remington rifles were fired over
him.
Under date of October 9Th, notes
say: "The 7th breakfast consisted of
the last half-pOund of dog meat and
tea. The last grain of tea was put in
the kettle and we are now about to
undertake a journey of % miles with
some old tea leaves and two quarts OF
alcohol. However, trust in God, and
l believe that he who has fed us thus
far will not suffer us to die of want
now" The party left the record in
the hut, which was found by Melville
as already reported. They got under
way about $3.50 A. NJ, and proceeded
until 11:20 A. NJ, by which time they
had made about three miles, and were
all pretty well done up. They had
half an ounce of alcohol in pot Of tea
for dinner; then went ahead and soon
struck what seemed to be the main
river again. Here four Of the party
broke through the ice in trying ia
cross, and fearing frost-bite a fire was
built. Alexy was sent off to look for
food, being directed not to go far moi
stay long. He came back at $50 with
one ptarmigan, of which soup was
made, and with half an ounce Of alco-
hol made their supper.
Saturday, October Sth, notes say:
"Called all hands at $780, Breakfast
Of half an ounce of alcohol aud pint
Of bot water. Alcohol proves Of great
adv vantage, keeping off cravings fol
food, preventing gnawing Of stomach,
and has kept up the strength of the
men, who are given three ounces a
day. Went ahead until 1890, and af-
ter Ave miles struck the big river
again. Have to turn back. Only
made an advance OF one mile. Cold
camp, but little wood and half an
ounce Of alcohol"
Sunday, 9th.-All hands at 4:3O took
half an ounce Of alcohol; read divine
service and sent Ninderman and Nor
os ahead for relief, and then started at
Z; cheered them under way. At
crossed creek and broke through the
ice; all went up TO their knees, dried
clothing and again under way Mt 1880.
At struck the river bank; salt for
dinner and half an ounce Of alcohol;
Alexy shot three ptarmigans; made
soup; we are following Ninderman's :
track; found n canoe; lay our heads in
II and 60 to sleep.
Monday, Oct. i0.--Last half ounce
Of alcohol ut $50; at $50 sent Alexy
on 10 look for ptarmigans; ate deer
skin scraps yesterday morning; eat
my deer skin foot tips; under way 1T
3; In crossing . creek three got wet;