The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1882-11-18
THE JEANNETTE EXPEDITION.
S"me Inside History Developed.

" WASHINGTON, NOV. 1U.-MOnOtONy
of the repetition of oft told stories in
the Jeannette Investigation was to-day
broken by Engineer Melville, who
described something of the dissensions
among the unfortunate men, which
have heretofore been vaguely alluded
to. Lieut.. Danenhowor has testified
that he advised Capt. Delong against
attempting to reach the mouth of the
Lena River when their ship broke up,
but rather to make for tho nearest
point on the Siberian coast, and follow
it toward Behring Straits.
Melville testified that he also advised
against attempting the journey to Lena
River and in favor Of the River Mana,
far westward OF the point chosen by
Delong. To-day in his account of the
journey over the ice by the wrecked
party, Melville said:
"After some days Capt. DeI.ong di-
rected Mr.. Collins, scientist and Herald
correspondent, mot to do any more work,
owing to a conversation between De-
long and Collins in regard to the dis
obedience Of orders on tho part of Col
lins. The captain relieved him from
duty, but did not put him under arrest.
lie was free to come and go as he
pleased, simply getting permission from
the captain or executive officer.
Witness did not know the reason
why Collins was directed at this time
not to do any duty. Collins spoke to
witness about it at the time, and said
he had been directed not to perform
any further duty.
The Captain had previously spoken
to witness about it, and had charged
him not to permit Collins to do any
more duty. Up to this time Collins
hsaH IL
At this time Chip completely broke
down and the Captain ordered him to
get on sled and be carried. "rhe
poor fellow" said witness, "turned
over on his face and cried out ut is
all over; you had better leave mo be.
hind Dalong said, sNo man shall be
left behind while another man lives to
haul him. Soon after this Chip began
to get better rapidly and again took
charge OF the working party"
After describing tho discovery of
Bennett Island and their stay thereon,
Melville continued: "About August
9th the party left the island with the
boats. Previous to starting, Capt. De-
Long called witness and told him to
take charge of the whaleboat, and gave
him written orders to that effect"
The original order of Capt. Del .ong
y
described the difficulties experienced
| in getting the boats through and over
the loose ice surrounding the island
Capt. DE Long had designated who
should so in each boat. AS they en-
barked in open water, witness had the
tiller and the Whalcboat, DanenhoWer
held the sheet, and Newcomb worked
the sail. Seeing that the first cutter
(Chipp's boat) was beating them in
working to windward, witness told
Dancnhower to take the tiIler. Ncw-
comb held the sheet, while he, (witncss)
worked the sail being stronger, he
could do SO quicker than Ncwcomb.
Under this arrangement, the whaIeboat
soon beat the cutter.
Witness remarked: 81 should, per
haps, at this point, say that before
leaving the island some controversy
took place between Danenhowcr and
Newcomb, and the latter was sus-
pended from duty by the Captain. AS
we were about embarking, seeing that
Newcomb was detailed to go in my
boat, asked Captain what was New
combs status. He replied; die is
under suspension, but that will not
prevent him from rendering you what
ever assistance you may require in
work ing the boat When we landed
on the ice camp for the night, Capt.
DeLong asked me if Daneuhowcr had
assumed to take command, or why l
had permitted him to take the tiller.
] told him the reason was that did
not want to be beaten by the first
cutter and had made the arrangement
he had noted for that reason. lie said,
'All right, but you must remember that
do not want Dancnhower to do any
duty while he is on the sick list l
told Eisenhower about it. He said he
was able and desired to do duty.
said, Those are the Captains orders,
and if you do not like the arrangement,
] will ask the Captain to allow you to
60 in another boat lie said no, that
he would rather be in my boat than in
any other. | replied: sWe have al
ways been good friends and trust VIZ
always Will be. ] shall be very care
! full not to say or do anything whicl
could wound the feelings of a commits
stoned officer He expressed himscl
satisficd.'
Mrs. Margaret j. Preston, the well
known Southern writer, is "a woman 0
rather less than average size, will
light hair and fresh, ruddy complex