The Benton weekly record. [volume] (Benton, Mont.) 1880-1885, 1882-06-01
lO.A9.
GEORGE w. DeLONG.
"reminiscences Of the Inflated
Arctic Explorer.

The unhappy death OF George w. De
Long, the Arctic explorer and naval of
fcer, calls up interesting "reminiscences Of
his early hays. Vicar-Genera1 Quinn re-
calls him as one of his proteges so long ago
as 1855, when with his mother, an Irish
woman of much intelligence and culture,
he attended regularly the Sunday school
at St. Peters church on Barclay street,
New York. He showed remarkable bril-
liancy, and the vicar-general took an ex-
ceptional interest in him, spending many
hours in his company. Their friendship
ripened and endured, and from DeLong's
Journeys in foreign lands he brought his
reverend friend many tokens of regard.
| John Oakley, assistant district attorney in
King s county, says that he first knew De
Long when the latter was about Is years
old. Oakey's office was at that time In the
old Nassau building, and when, after the
fall Of Sumter, he went to the war, he
left belong in charge of it. On his return
with the 7th regiment he found that Con-
gresham Ben Wood had the appointment
OF a cadet in the naval school, then located
at Newport, R. I. Learning that DeLong
was eager to enter the navy he secured
the appointment for him through Wood,
and the young man passed Il satisfactory
examination; but just about to begin work
a dispatch came from Gideon Wells, secre-
tary OF the navy, saying, Don't appoint
Mr.. Woods appointee for the navy.'' The
reason for this was that Wood had Just
been charged with secession principles,
and his candidate was considered dam
gerous person. However, with letters of
Endorsement, DcLong made for Washing
ton, interviewed Wells and President Lin
coin and secured the confirmation Of his
appointment. At the academy he was dis
tinguished for earnest work and rapid
progress, and he left, after his graduation,
with congratulations from Prof. Beecher,
who seldom had word Of praise for any
one.
DeLong was Roman Catholic, but this
did not prevent him from marrying q
Protestant, Miss Wotten, greatly to the
surprise of his cid friend, Vicar-General
Quinn, and they were very happy together
Both were eager students of Arctic annals
and it was largely Belongs passion for
adventure that led him into the folly which
had already taken away many valuable
lives. His preparations for the trip were
carefully made, and every one who went
with him on the JeanLette had been sub
jected to a careful examination. He real
lied that his expedition was hazardous,
but firmly believed that he would return
to America safe and sound. His brother
in-law, Mr.. Wotten, says: s'He was al
ways very unwilling to see the many re-
porteTs who came to the house and to make
great stir about the affair until it should
come out successfully" AS he used to
say, 81 don't want to go off through big
part of the horn and come back through
the little one" He was willing to take oil
the credit the world would allow him if he
came back crowned with success, hur want
ed to start off as quietly as possible. When
he used to read about the death of other
explorers he would say, SsWell, that's ter
rible. hope that will not be my fate;"
but he always spoke in perfect cheerful
ness and confidence Of his safe return.'
DeLong was a brave and generous man,
and his surviving friends tell of how often
he stuck to his command ON deck when he
was suffering intense pain from, illness or
broken bones. He was too valuable man
to die in the prime Of his life, and the find
ing OF his frozen corpse in bleak Siberia
ought to be a warning to those who are
tempted to risk their lives in the search for
apples which would only turn to ashes in
their hands. -