The Evening critic., 1882-11-22
THE COLLINS CHARGE
Reached at Last and GingcrIy
Irnnfnl hY the CAurl.

Reached at East and GingcrIy
Treated by the Court.
Engineer Melville continued his testimony
this morning, beginning with the point whore
no stopped yesterday--the preparations for
burying the bodies OF the Dc Long party.
Tho bodies OF the dead wero covered with
rags, laid carefully IN tho tomb, and the cross
erected. A pyramid OF stone was built over
tho tomb suncient stone was then quarriod
out to cover tho whole. This finished tho
burial. II was about April q. The force was
then Withdrawn to Kaskora.
The Search for Chipp's Party.
Bartlett and Ninderman were sent out with
parties In different directions along the Lena
Delta to search for Lieutenant Chipp's party.
day or two after these parties departed wit.
ness. also started out on the search. About
valok, having discovered no traces OF Lieu
tenant Chipp, his party or boat. At this time
witness learned that Lieutenant Harder had
been sent out upon the search, and he deter.
mined to Join him.
II was finally concluded that nothing further
could BIO done in the search at that time of
year, as In Juno the Inhabitants have to re.
pair 10 tho high lands to escape the river cur
rent. Witness arrived at Yakoutz about tho
middle OF June, and, falling to ind Lieutenant
HARDER, went TO Irkutz about July 8, whore no
tclegraphed to the Secretary of tho Navy, ask
ing permission to
Return to the United states,
which was granted. About July IL witness
started to the United States, arriving at New
York September 10, and reported to tho Navy
Department on September %.
This closed the direct narrative OF Engineer
Melville. The Judgc.Advocnto then began
The Cross-Examination.
Some additional records from Lieutenant Dc
Longs party were produced md entered In
evidence. The Judge.Advocato asked whom
the first search was begun, and from what
point? witness answered that Lieutenant
Danenhower made tho first effort about DC.
tober 20, 1881, and upon tho arrival OF tho
party Mt Jamavalok the natives wero enlisted
IN the search and mado acquainted with the
circumstances
1t was Impossible to begin tho search car.
Her, because the party were on an island from
which they could not get away, tho Ice not be-
Ing sufficiently strong: The first messenger
sent out was sent TO Bulun for tho relief OF
witness own party. Tho natives said 1t was
impossible thon to begin tho search. Tho
whole Lena Delta is Il series of islands, over
which It Is impossible to pass except by eleds
in winter and boats In tho summer.
'From the condition OF the bodies when
tho De Long partyT
.Thcy Died of Hunger ana COld.''
Witness said that whom tho bodies wore
| first found they were perfectly recognizable.
Replying to n question, witness said no had
no charge 10 prefer against any ofilcer of the
| Jeanette, or commendation or complaint to
make OF or against the condition OF the boat or
the manner In which tho cruise was made.
| The witness, however, afterward entered as
| evidence commendatory statement he had
| written regarding tho actions of the ships Of
| Witness entered as evidence his report made
| to the Navy Department at Jeanette Island,
| In which he paid n tribute to officers and
| crew. Ho believed that every officer and man
| performed his duty as best he could. He es-
| pecially mentioned Ninderman and Bartlett
as deserving OF c9 nm ,n DR.; Ambler
| services, tho Doctor not only fulfilling his
| duties as surgeon, but taking hold on oil oc.
casions as a laborer and helping tho party on
4 Troublesome Turn.
Tho Judge-Advocate announced here that ho
would cross-examine tho witness In accord
| ance with request made by the brother OF Mr..
Jerome j. CollinsS lost with the belong party.
Witness said, in reply to q question regarding
the alleged trouble between Captain DeLong
| and Mr.. Collins, that he knew nothing person
| ally about their differences, but that Captain
belong had mentioned the matter to him.
| The witness was about to state what De Long
had said OF the trouble, when the Judge dvo-
cate, seeing where the interrogntories pre-
pared by Collins brother, or evidently die.
lection to the course the investigation was
taking, and the room was cleared for consulta-
tion.
vocate announced that his objection was sus-
tanned, and that the question would not be
put.
witness stated that he, himself, had never
| had amy difficulty with tho deceased Collins,
excepting that In which all the, crew had en-
gagged. one evening Collins said that poor old
Melville was getting thin, and gray, and bald
over the trip. witness replied pleasantly
that he was not growing thin, gray, nor bald
over inc "Trip.
but tho matter was afterward adjusted. Col
Inns became offended at another time ovei
some Instruments and the Captain told wit
| ness that Collins was offended Mt him (wlt
ness, and was offended also because witness
sang some Irish songs. Witness DID
T,sb sing gtoo Irish sSRss nor tel
| told Collins that no did not think 1t manly IN
him TO complain to the commanding Officer
| before speaking TO him (witness), as no would
| Ingfat01 4 IN
| Inns, except onlcially.
Tho Judge-Advocato read prepared ques
ton TO the witness, inquiring whether h,
(witness) had ever
Ordered Hieut. DanenhOwer BrOugb
Rack 10 Camp Dead or Alive,
The Judge.Adyocate objected to 1t.
Witness answered that he did not remembe
TO have ever given such nm order, rs there wa
| no necessity Tor doing So but had there beci
under the circumstances OF tho tlmo ant
L place. Lieutenant Danenhower came an,
went about as he pleased, however, on tn
| cruise.
Witness further said he had giyen up at tn
everything found on Collins body, which wa
buried with the body, except tho crucinx.
| Tho efort to get at the truth OF the assertion
that Melville had mado foul remark in re
gard TO Mr.. Collins failed, because the inter
rogatory was not specific enough.
At / 80 p. m. the court adjourned until
| 10 80 q. m. tomorrow.
Engineer Melville Will be called to tho stant
to answer some moro special questions, bu
| there ia much record evidence 20 be read we
| man VIII then follow him in the witness chali
but tho Court will not likely call him until tn
first OF next week.