Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-09-16
"HOME AGAIN."
Engineer Melville and Others Of
the Jeanette Crew In
New York.
The scenes and incidents.

NEW York, September 13-Chiei
Engineer George w. Melville and
seamen William Noros and William
Ninderman, survivors Of the jean
nette Arctic exploring expedition, and
of the party that discovered the dead
bodies of Lieutenant DeL0ng and ms
comrades, and Lieutenant Robert M.
Berry, OF the burned Arctic exploring
steamer Rogers, arrived to-day. Act
ing under instructions from the Navy
Department, Commodore Upshur pre-
pared to receive the brave party with
all bonors on a tug. Besides Lieut..
Jaques we're Alexander Melville,
brother Of the famous engineer, Mrs.
Demorest. their sister and her two
daughters, and many naval officers;
also Captain j. A. Watson, father-in-
law of the lamented DeLong.,
The steamship Parthia, bringing
Melville and party, was met down
the bay, and, as Engineer MelVille's
broad smiling face was discovered by
those on the tug, they set up a shout,
"There's Melville, God bless him." A
party Of the Parthia's passengers
started the song Home again" and 1t
was taken up all wei the ship. Mel:
willie was o on board the United
States tug, and made haste to the pilot.
house, where the ladies OF the party
were seated. His sisters and nieces
were warmly embraced BY him, and
everybody in the pilothouse wept as
Melville sobbed convulsively and held
his sister to his breast. He sat for a
few moments with his relatives aud
listened to their attempts to utter
words Of welcome. He patted his
stalwart brother on the back and attec-
tionately called him Sandy"
Some Of the more active Of the Par
thia's passengers had climbed in the
rigging and we're shouting Give US
Melville" Several held alOft bottles
of champagne. Engineer Melville
stepped out Of the ~pilothouse and
encountered Captain Wootter, the
aged and grief stricken iatherin-law
Of the late Lieutenant DeLOng. Cap
tain Woottar grasped the engineer
hands, and after saying something 10
an undertone, wep. like a child.
Melville steadied himself against the
pilothouse, and covering his face with
brawny hands seemed thoroughly
overcome with emotion. Tears filled
the eyes Of all who witnessed THU
scene, and among the spectators were
many Of the Parthia's passengers
When they had dried their eyes somt
one on the steamship proposed threl
cheers for Melville, and the response
was enthusiastic and emphatic.
Nindermsn and Noros, seamen whC
were with Melville, seemed anxious tt
escape observation.
ANOTHER ACCOUNT.
From the New York Times report
When Ninderman stepped into The
pilothouse he met his betrothed fol
the first time after his long and terri
Bile absence. The meeting was very
affectionate; they sat in a corner, anC
as they wept they whispered to eact
other.
Lieutenant Jaques had requested
naval officers and others, not relatives
of Engineer Melville or Ninderman.
not to disturb the quiet of the pilot.
house at this time, and the Lieuten-
ants request was most cheerfully
acceded to. The passengers on the
Parthia continued to shout, I'VE
want Melville" When the Engineer
appeared they repeatedly cheered him.
Bottles Of champagne were opened on
the deck Of the Parthia, and his
health was drank in many bumpers.
Melville aud friends were then trans
ferred 10 the steam yacht, on board OF
which were many naval officers, and
where a welcome luncheon was spread
and the hospitality Of the city ten
dered by Alderman McClane. Tears
trickled down the face Of the Enei-
neer as he listened to the Alderman's
words, and when he attempted to
reply he stammered and hesitated;
then he seemed to recover courage.
and he said in a bold way he was a
New York boy, one who had been
brought up in the public schools of
this city; he telt that he had right
to say that he and his companions had
done their duty; he had been in the
government service twenty-five years,
and in that time had stood many kicks
aud hard knocks. Then he paused
and said with much feeling: "And |
would have stood by friends if they
had stood by me" He suddenly
checked himself at this point, and
Colonel Church, on behalf Of the
Citizens Committee, welcomed him
and his companions TO this city and
invited them to a banquet in their
honor at Delmonico's.
Mr.. Hall said to Melville: "Come
let us take a drink Melville laughed
as he replied Gentlemen, l AN some
thing Of a missionary; every time |
take a drink of American whisky.
feel l am helping to pay the national
debt"
Some one said to Melville: "How
well you look"
Yes" replied the engineer, with
strange emphasis on his words, there
is nothing to matter with my eyes,"
Melville was introduced to the re.
porters, and when asked whether he
desired to communicate with the pub
lie on any point of special interest, he
said: MOI not at this time. The
whole matter-the condition Of tho
Jeanette and result Of the trips II
be investigated by Naval Court of In,
quiry, and | am not allowed to sa,
anything until examined bythat court
then everything will be made plain
Here a naval officer interrupted
with. You know, Of course, tina
Congress has appointed a special com
mission TO investigate the matter?n
Yes" answered Melville; and
AT this point several members O
the committee began to shout, Here
Melville; come here. Don't YOU sa,
anything; you've said quite enough.
Some Of the committee seized him b,
the coat collar, and hastily Withdrew
him from the society Of the represen
tatlves olSthe newspapers.
A naval officer stated that Melvill,
has the Jernnette's log and a priyat,
log Of Lieutenant belongs last writ
ten INSTRUCTION to him; in fact, pre-.
pared at the proper time to repea
DeLong's last words to him,
Aterward Melville said to the re
porters that he had no intention o
being rude. huf he was 49, s.s