The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-07-07
DEATH IN THE ARCTIC ICE.
last Records or the belong Party.-A Hor-
rible story of Starvation,

East Records or the belong Party.-A Hor
rible story of Starvation,
| LONDON, June 20. - Engineer Melville
telegraphs from Yakaulski, under the date
of April 10th, as follows: 1 have searched
the Coast from the river Alanck to the rive,
Jana, but have found no trace of the second
cutter or Of Lieutenant Chips party.
have buried the remains of Lieutenant De.
Long, DR.. Amber, Jerome Collins; also
of seamen Lee, Gurtz, Dressler, Kaack, liver.
son and Boyd, and the Chinese servant All
Tom. have secured every paper pertain.
ing to the expedition. Seaman Erickson
and the Indian Alexei had already been bur-
led on the river Lena. am now en- route
to Irkutsk.
THE LAST POUND OF DOG MEAT.
Under date of October 9th, the notes say
"This is our 1l7th day. Our 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
undertake journey of twenty five miles
with some old tea leaves aud two quarts OF
alcohol. However, trust in God, aud l
believe that he who has fed us thus far will
not suffer US to die of want now" The
party left record In a hut, which was found
by Melville, as already reported. They got
under way at $40 am, by which time they
had made about three miles, and were all
pretty well used up. They had half an
ounce of alcohol and pot of tea for dinner.
They then went ahead and soon struck
what seemed to be the main river. Here
four Of the party broke through the ice in
trying to cross, and fearing frost bite, fire
was built, and Alexei was sent off to look
for food, being directed not to go far nor
stay long. He came back at $50 o'clock
with one ptarmigan, Of which soup was
made, and this with half an ounce of alco-
hol made their supper.
THE VALUE OF ALCOHOL.
On Saturday, October 4Gh, the notes say !:
"All hands at $50 had breakfast of half
an ounce Of alcohol and pint of hot water.
The alcohol proved Of great advantage in
keeping of the cravings for food and pre-
venting gnawing of the stomach, aud has
kept up the strength of the men, who are
given three ounces day. We went ahead
until 1880 O'Clock, and after several miles
struck the big river again. We had to turn
back, having made an advance of only one
mile. 1t is cold and damp. We have but
little food and only half an ounce of alco.
hol eaeh."
"Sunday. 9lh-All hands were up at 4:3O
O'Clock. Each man was given half an ounce
Of alcohol. We read divine service, and sent
Ninderman and Noros ahead for relief.
They started at 7 o'clock. We cheered them
under way. At s o'clock we crossed a creek
but broke through the ice and all were wet
up to the knees. We dried our clothing and
got under way again at 1880 o'clock. At
o'clock We struck the river bank, and halted
for dinner of half an ounce Of alcohol each.
Alexei shot three ptarmigan, and made soup.
We are following Nindermans tracks, al
though he is long since out of sight"
"Monday, l0th-We had our last half
ounce Of alcohol at $50 o'clock. At G:3O
seut Alexei off TO look for more ptarmigan.
We eat deer skin scraps, and yesterday MORN
ing eat nv deer skin foot tips. We got
under way at s O'Clock. Iu crossing creek
three Of us got vet. We built fire and
dried out, then went ahead until II o'clock
a. IN. Used up. Built fire and made a
drink out of tea leaves and from the alcohol
bottles. On again at noon. Very hard CO.
ing. Ptarmigan tracks plentiful. At 8
O'Clock halted, used up. Crawled into
hole in the bank. Alexei went in quest of
game; nothing for supper except a spoonful
Of glycerine, all hands weak and feeble, but
cheerful. God help u.s."
"Tuesday, 1lth--A gale, with snow. Un-
able to move. No game. One spoonful of
glycerine and hot water for fooe. No more
wood In our vicinity"
"wednesday, l2lh-Breakfast, last spoonful
OF glycerine and hot water. For dinner we
put couple of handfals Of Arctic willow In
a pot OF water and drank the infusion.
getting weaLer; hardly able to
60 forward with the snow"
Thursday, 1Sth-Willow tea. No news
from Ninderman. We are in the hands of
God. Unless he relents, we are lost. We
cannot move against the wind, aud staying
here means starvation. This afternoon we I,
went ahead for mile; after crossing an
other rivera kind of a big river--we missed |
Lee. Went down in hole In tho bank and |
camped and sent back for Lee. He had laid |
down and was waiting to die. All united In |
The Lords prayer and cried. After supper |
here was strong gale of wind--a horrible
night."
Friday, 14th-Breakfast of willow tea.
Dinner, half a teaspoonful of sweet oil and
willow tea. Alexei shot one ptarmigan,
and We had soup. The wind is moderat-
ng."
OLD BOOTS FOR BREAKFAST.
Saturday, October 15th-Breakfast will |
low tea and two old boots. Concluded to
move at sunrise. Alexei breaks down, also
Lee. We come to an empty grain raft and
halt and camp. Signs Of smoke at twilight
% the southwark"
SUNDAY, October 16-Alexe, broke down.
Divine service"
"Monday--Alexei dying. Doctor baptized
him and read prayer for the sick. J. Collins
40 years old, About sunset
Alexei died OF exhaustion from starvation;
We covered the body with an ensign and hid
I In crib"
"Tuesday--Calm and mild. Snow falling.
Buried Alexel In the afternoon. Laid him
IN the ice and covered him with ice."
"Wednesday-We are cutting up our tent
o make foot gear. The Doctor went ahead
o find new camp and we shifted by dark"
"Thuisday-Bright and sunny, but very
old. Lee and Koack done out"
"Friday-Koaek was found dead abou:
midnight between the doctor and myself.
Zee died about noon. Read prayer for the
lex when We found he was going"
"Ssturday--Too weak to carry the bodies
II Lee an a Kuarx o7,f IN the ico The nrc |