Democratic Northwest. [volume] (Napoleon, Ohio) 1869-1894, 1882-07-06
$rmpt+atir NOriIIurst.
HORRIBLE STORY.
Starvation In the Frozen
North. ~
The Terrible Tale Of Suffering Re.
realed By the Diary Of Lieu
tenant De Long.

and party, and the discovery OF their
dead bodies. The following extracts
are from De Longs notebook:
Under date of Monday, October Sd,
De Long writes that his party thought
they saw a hut, but upon reaching the
spot found only a mound. A camp
was made in hole, in the bluff, and q
roaring FIRE soon drying and 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 a stew made of such
parts as could not be cured. All par
took Of the stew except De Long, and
DR.. Alexy was sent off to examine
what they thought was hut, and
came back at night with a favorable
report. 1t was decided to wait till
morning before leaving 1t was then
below zero. A watch was set to keep
the fire going, and all huddled around
1t, and thus the third night without
sleep was passed. If Alexy had not
! wrapped his sealskln around De Long
and kept him warmly the heat of his
body he (De Long, thinks he would
have perished as he vas steamed and
shiyeted and shook NJ w HI
At 5 a. NJ, the party reached hut
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 q. m.
alEekcept Alexa " laid down to Sleep.
sAlexy went off 10 hunt; Gandl at, noon
( returned wet, having fallenq into the
river, At s a. m. they reused up,
and had pound Of dog -neat for each
pefsoh and a cup Of tea, the days al
lowapce; but they were SO gfatifed
that they were not exposed to the ter
rible gale which was raging that they
4 did not mind the Short rationsl On
Wednesday they had tea and dog
meat for breakfast. Y Alexy again
went off hunting, aud come back with
nothing. On Thursday they had a
cup of third-hand tea, with half an
ounce of al5ohol in lit. Alexy again
setout to hunt. and Erickson died
While he was gone. Alexy returned
empty handed. sf
TheFnotes at this point say "What.
IN Gods name, is to become Of us!
Fourteen pounds of dog-meat left. and
twenty-five miles to the nearest set
tlement." They could not dig a grave
for Erickson, as the ground was frozen
too hare, and they had nothing to dig
with; SO they sewed his body up in
the laps of tent, covered him with
their flag and buried HIM in the river.
Three volleys from their Remingtons
were fired over him. Under date of
October 9Th the notes say:
"One Hundred and Seventeenth
Day-Breakfast consisted of the last
half-pound of dog-meat and tea |
The last grain Of tea was put. into the
kettle, and we are now about to under
take journey of twenty five miles
with some old tea leaves and two
quarts of alcohol. However I trust
in God, and I believe that He who has
fed US this far will not suffer us to die
of want now" r
The party left a record in the hut,
which was found by Melville, as al
ready reported. They got under way
at $50 q. m. and proceeded until ll:2O,
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,
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-bite, o fire was built Alexy
was sent of to look for food, being di.
rected MOTTO go far nor stay long. He
came back at half-past FIVE with one
Of which soup was made,
and with half an ounce of alcohol
made their supper, Saturday, October
8th, the notes say:
sCallad all hands at half-past FIVE to
breakfast. Half an ounce Of alcohol ..
and a pint Of hot water. Alcohol
proves Of great advantage-keeps of
cravings for food, preventing gnawing
Of the stomach, and has kept up the
strength of the men, who are given
three ounces day. Went ahead un-
Ill half-past ten, and after five miles
struck the big river again. Have to
'urn back; only made an advance of !
one mile. Cold camp, but little wood /
md half an ounce Of alcohol. {
Sunday, 9th---All hands at half.
past four, half an ounce Of alcohol ,
Read divine service. Ninderman and !
Noros ahead for relief. They started /
y seven; cheered them underway, AT
eight crosseda creek, broke through /,
he ice all went up to knees. Dried !
'lothingand under way again at half .
oast ten. AT one struck the rivar
bank. Halt for dinner; half an ounce G
4 alcohol. Alexy shot three ptarmi-
rams; made soup We are following i
Vinderman's track although he is long b
ince out of sight. Found a canoe;
ay our heads in it and go to sleep. !
onday, October i 0th--Last half q
nf Al n r or +. y l