The evening light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1881-1883, 1882-01-07
rHE SURVIVORS OF rae JEANNErrE.

Their Probable Homeward Route "A
| !, Pleasure "Trip ThrouRhga Fine
! O0untry.
| From the New York Evening Post
Mr.. Perry M. C. Collins, who is now
in this city, had a contract with the
Russian government in the year 1865
for building telegraph line into and
through Siberia, down the Amoor
river, 10 the eastern coast, which was
afterward transferred to the Western
Union Company, but the line was
constructed under his direction and
that of Mr.. KEENAN,, whose letter to
the secretary of the navy had lately
been published. In the course of his
explorations he became familiar with
the country, so that his observations
regarding the probable condition of
the Jeannette's crew are of interest.
Mr.. Collins said yesterday that he had
but little to add to what Mr.. KEENAN,
had already said, but that he is quite
confident that the missing boat will be
found, and that the hardships of all
the survivors are ended.
II am sure" he said, "that they are
now enjoying every comfort and even
luxury of civilized life. The mere fact
that they are shipwrecked seamen
would guarantee it. Besides, they are
Americans. Moreover, they are naval
men. Rest assured that the Russian
government and people will do their
utmost in their behalf. As to. their
journey homeward, the best route is by
way of Moscow. They will undoubt-
edly take that. So far from its being
one of difficulty or discomfort, it is one
of absolute pleasure. never enjoyed
anything more in my life than my
sledge-ride from Irkutsk to Moscow.
The distance is about $500 miles, and
| was twenty-seven days on the jour-
ney. That was about 1870 miles per
day. Talk of a sleigh-ride in Central
park alongside of a sleigh-nde like that.
thermometer Why, sometimes the |
was 40 degrees below zero,
out the air was still and dry. l was
up in furs. l had three,
our, five and sometime six horses
to my sledge, scampering to the
music of bells over the seemingly |
ooundless plains and through the
tense forests. Almost every night l
vas quartered at some nobleman's or
,entleman's house in the towns or in
he country, where the most profuse
was extended to me, for
vas under government conduct, as
hese men will be-
Being asked about the likelihood of
apt. Berry, of the Rodgers, getting
Information of the loss of the Jean
lette and the safety of her crew, Mr..
Collins said:
"He has heard all about it long ago.
There is an extensive trade all along
he coast in the summer. carried on in
'oats, and IN winter on sledges, all the
Vay to Behring'S Strait. l am sure
hat Capt. De Long and Capt. Berry
ave been in communication with each
'ther, and unless the latter has some
urther orders to hunt up that valuable
orth pole so that another expedition
7ill be sent to find him, he will get
ack to San Francisco as soon as the
reaking up of the ice will allow him
get through the straits. don't see
ny good that will come out of this
'hole thing, excepting that our people
nay learn something about Siberia. l
10 not believe there are ten men in
he United States that know anything
bout it. Why, sir, it is one of the
nest countries in the world. The
are short, it is true, but you
an almost see things grow-and they
o grow away up to- 10 degrees
heat, barley, rye, buckwheat, oats,
nd everything else in the greatest
bundance. There is a territory far
lrger than ours, with 5000, 900 in
abitants, a territory Astounding in
ereals, minerals, cattle and sheep, and
e: people think it a prison or skat-
,g park" /
New York, January 5.-At a meet
,g of the military order of the loyal
Y 1