The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1882-06-30
THE JEANETTE TRAGEDY.


Diary of De Long. Showing the Grad
nal Approach of Starvation - A
Chapter of Awful Suffering and
Horror, such as Is Rarely Read
The Slow Downward Gamut of Dog
Meat, Alcohol, GIycerine, Leather,
Hot Water and Death.
The Navy Department, at Washington is in
receipt of report from Engineer Melville, Civ
ing in detail the story Of his search for Lieut.
De Long and party, and the discovery of their
dead bodies. The following extracts are from
De Longs notebook:
Unde~ date of Monday, Oct. 3, De Long
writes that his party thought they saw a boat,
but upon reaching the spot found only mound.
A camp was made in hole in the bluff, and
roaring FIRE built, soon drying sand burning
their clothes, while the 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 partook of the stew except De Long.
DR.. Aexy was sent off to examine what they
thought was hut, and came back at night
with favorable report. 1t was decided to wait
till morning before leaving. 1t was then below
and all huddled around it, and thus third
night without sleep was passed. If Alexy had
not wrapped his sealskin around De Long, and
kept him warm by the heat of his body, he Ode
Long, thinks he would have persisted, as he was
steamed, and shivered and shook.
At 8 a. H.. the party reached the hut which
was large enough to hold them, and for the
first time since Saturday they managed to get
warm. Erickson was very low, and prayers
were read for him before the others sought
rest. At 10 a. m. all except Alexy laid down
to sleep. Alexy went off to hunt, and at noon
returned wet, having fallen into the river. At
p. m. they reused up and had pound of
dog-meat for each person and cup of tea, the
days allowance. But they were so grateful
that they were not exposed to the terrible gale
which was raging that they did not mind the
short rations.
On Wednesday they had tea and dog meat
for breakfast Alexy again went off hunting
and came back with nothing. On Thursday
they had a cup of third hand tea, with half an
ounce of alcohol in it. Alexy was again sent
out to hunt, and Erickson died while he was
gone. Alexy returned empty-handed. Tho
notes at this point say: "What in Gods name
is going to become Of us? Fourteen pounds of
dog meat left, and twenty-five miles to pos
sible settlement"
They could not dig a grave for Erickson, 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 him with their flags,
and buried him in the river. Three volleys
from their Remingtons were fired over him.
Under date of Oct. 6 the notes say "117th
day-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 I'M
derake a journey of twenty five miles, with
some old tea leaves and two quarts of alcohol.
However, trust in God, and | believe that He
of want now" The party left record in the
hut which was found by Melville as already
reported. They got under way at $3.50 q. M,
and proceeded until 11:20 a. M, by which time
they had made about three miles and were all
pretty we'll done up They had half an ounce
of alcohol in pct of tea for dinner. They
went ahead and soon struck what seemed to be
the main river again. Here four of the party
broke through the ice in trying to cross, and,
fearing frost bites, fire was built. Alexy was
sent off to look for food. being directed not to
go far or stay long. He came back about $50
with one ptarmigan, of which soup was made,
and with half an ounce of alcohol made their
supper.
Saturday, Oct. 4, the notes say: SCALED all
hands at $780, Breakfast of half an ounce of
alcohol and pint of hot water. Alcohol proves
of great advantage, keeping off the cravings for
food, preventing gnawlng of the stomach, and
has kept up the strength of the men, who are
given three ounces a day. Went ahead until
1890, and after five miles struck the big river
again. Have to turn back. Only made an adj
vance of one mile; a cold camp, but little wood,
and half an ounce of alcohol.
Sunday, 9th.-All hands at 4:30. Half
ounce of alcohol. Read divine service.
"Sent Nndermap and Noros ahead for relief.
They started at Z; cheered them under way. At
s crossed the creek, broke through ice, all wet
up to the knees. Dried clothing and under
way again at 1890. At struck the river bank ;
halt for dinner-half an ounce of alcohol.
Alexy shot three ptarmigans; made soup. We
are following Ninderman's track, although he is
long since out of sight. Found a cave lay our
heads in it, and go to Sleep
"Monday, Oct. 10-Last halt-ounce of al
cohol at $50. At $50 sent Alexy off to look
for ptarnigan. Eat deer-skln scraps yester-
day morning ate my deer-skin foot-tips. Under
way at8. In crossing the creek three got wet !;
built fire and dried out. Ahead again till II !;
used up. Built fire and made drink out of tea
leaves and from alcohol bottle. On again at
noon very hard going. Ptarmigan tracks
plentiful. At 8 halted. used up Crawled into
hole in bank. Alexy in quest of game
Nothing for supper except a spoonful Of glycer-
ine All hands weak and feeble, but cheerful
God help us. G
Tuesday, 11th-Gale, with snow unable to
move; no game. One spoonful of glycerine
vicinity.
Wednesday, 12th.-Breakfast, last spoon
full of glycerine and hot water. For dinner a
couple of handfuls of Arctic willow in q pot of
water, and drama the infusion. Everybody
getting weaker and weaker, and hardly able to
get frewood. Gale, with snow.
"Thursday, 18th. - Willow tea. No news
from Ninderman. We are in the hands of God
and, unless He relents, we are lost. We cannot
move against wind, and staying here means
starvation. In the afternoon went ahead for
mile after crossing another river missed Lee
Went down in hole in the bank and into
camp. Sent back for Lee. He had laid down,
and was waiting to die. All united in saying
| the Lords Prayer, and cried. After supper
strong gale of wind horrible night.
Friday Breakfast, willow tea dinner,
one-half teaspoonful OF sweet-oil and willow
tea Alexy shot one ptarmigan. Had soup
Wind moderating.
Saturday, Oct. 15.-Breakfast, willow tea
and two old boots. Conclude to move at sun
rise. Alexy breaks down also Lee. Come to
empty grain raft; halt and camp. Signs of
smoke at twilight to southwark.
'Sunday, Oct 16.-Alexy broke down. Di-
vine service
| "Monday. -Alexy dying; doctor baptized him;
read prayers for the sick. Mr.. Collins birth
day-40 years old. About sunset Alexy died of
exhaustion from starvation. Covered in the
ensign and laid him in the crib.
"Tuesday.-Calm and mild; snow falling;
buried Alexy IN the afternoon; laid him on the
ice and covered him with slabs of ice
Wednesday, Cutting up tent to make foot
gear. Doctor went ahead to find new camp.
Shifted by dark.
Thursday and sunny, but very
cold. Lee and Koack done up.
Friday. was found dead about mid
night, between the Doctor and myself. Lee
| died about noon. Read prayers for the sick,
when we found he was going.
"Saturday.-Too weak to carry bodies Of Lee
and Koack out on the ice. The Doctor, Col
Inns and myself carried them around the cor
ner out of sight Then my eyes closed up.
"Sunday.-Everybody pretty weak slept or
rested TO-DAY, and then manaf ID to get enough
wood in by dark. Read part Of the divine
service. Suffering IN our feet no foot-gear.
"Monday-A hard night.
TUESDAY, Wednesday, and Thursday, 9th,
the 18th day. Iverson broken down.
"Friday.-Iyerson died during the early
morning.
Saturday, 29th.-Drossler died during the
night.
"Sunday, Oct. SO.-One hundred and for
tieth day. Boyd and Sartz died during the
night. Mr.. Collins dying"
[NoIE.-This is the end of De Longs diary.
De Long, Surgeon Amber ana All Sam, the
cook, must have died soon after the last note
was written