The Pulaski citizen. [volume] (Pulaski, Tenn.) 1866-current, 1882-07-06
DeLoNGs NOTE BOOK.
How the Heroic Arctic Explorers
Died One by One Of Cold
and Starvation.

DeLong and party and the discov-
cry of their dead bodies. The fol-
lowing extracts are from belongs
note book under date of Monday,
October 13:
DeLong writes that his party
thought they saw hut, but upon
reaching the spot found only
mound. A camp was made in
hole in the bluff and a roaring fire
was soon drying and burning their
clothes, while the cold wind ate in
to their backs. Nothing was left
to eat but their dog, which was
killed and dressed and q stew made
of such parts as could not be cured.
They all partook of the stew except
DeLong, and DR.. Alexy was sent off
to examine what they Thoughts was
hut and came back at night with
favorable report. 1t was decided
to wait till morning before leaving.
1t was then below zero. Walch
was sent to keep the fire going and
they all huddled around it, and
their third night without sleep was
passed If Alexy had not wrapped
his seal-skin around DeLong and
kept him warm by heat of his body,
he (DeLong) thinks he would have
perished, and he was steamed and
shivered and shook. At s a. m.
the party reached a hut large
enough to hold them, and for the
first time since Saturday they man
aged to get warm. Erickson was
very low, and prayers were read
for him before the others sought
rest. At 10 a. m. all except AleXy
laid down to sleep; AleXy went off
to hunt, and at noon returned wet,
having fallen into a river. AT 6 p.
IN. they reused up and had pound
of dog meat for each person and
cup of tea, the days allowance, but
they were so grateful. They were
not exposed to the terrible gale
which was raging at the time; they
did not mind short rations. On
Wednesday had tea and dog meat
for breakfast; AleXy again went off
hunting and came back with moth
ing. On Thursday had cup of
third hand tea with half an ounce
of alcohol in it. Alexy was again
sent out to hunt, and Erickson
died while he was gone; Alexy re
turned empty-handed. The notes
at this point say, What in Gods
name is going to become of us; Ii
pounds of dog meat left and % miles
to n possible settlement. They
could not dig grave for Erickson
as the ground was frozen too hard,
and they had nothing TO dig with,
so they sewed his body up in laps
of tent, covered him with their
flag and buried him in the river,
three volleys from their Reming
tons were fired over him.
Under date of October 5, the
notes say: 117th day, breakfast
consisted of the last half pound of
dog meat and tea; the last grain of
tea was put in the kettle; and we
are now about to undertake jour
ney of 25 miles with some old tea
leaves and two quarts of alcohol;
however, trust in God, and | be
lieve that He that has fed us thus
far will not suffer us to die of want
now.
The party left the hut which was
found by Melville, as already re
ported; they got under way at $50
a. m. and proceeded until l1:20 by
which time they had made about
three miles and were all pretty well
done up. They had half an ounce
of alcohol:in the pot of tea for din
ncr; went ahead and soon struck
what seemed to be the main river
again. Here four of the party
broke through the ice in trying to
cross, and fearing frost bite, fire
was built, and Alexy was sent off
to look for food, deing directed not
to 90 far nor stay long. He came
back at $3.50 with one ptarmigan,
of which soup was made, and with
half an ounce of alcohol, made
their supper.
Saturday, October 1S.-The notes
say: Called up all hands at $3.50
to breakfast, half an ounce of alco-
hol and a pint of water. The alco-
hol proves of great advantage; /;
keeps off the cravings for food, pre-
venting gnawing of the stomach,
and has kept up the strength of the
men, who are given three ounces a
dav; went ahead until IL 80, and
after five miles struck the big river
again; had to turn back, only made
4 Af
camp. but little wood and half an
ounce of alcohol.
Sunday, 9th.-Called all hands
at 43O to half an ounce of alcohol,
read divine service, sent Ninder-
man and Norris ahead for relief.
They started at z, cheered them un-
der way At 8 crossed the creek
and broke through the ice, all wet
up to the knees; dried our clothing
and got under way again at 1908.
At l struck the river bank and
made a halt for dinner, half an
ounce of alcohol. Alexy shot three
ptarmigans and made soup. We
are following Ninderman's track,
although he is long since out of
sight. Found a canoe and lay our
heads in it to go to sleep.
Monday, October 10th.-Used
the last half ounce of alcohol ats 80.
At 6:3O sent Alexy off to look for
ptarmigan; cat my deerskin scraps
yesterday morning ate my deer
skin and foot tips. Under way at 8.
In crossing creek three got wet
built fire and dried out. Ahead
again till IL; used up; built a fire
and made drink out Of tea leaves
and from the alcohol bottle. On
again at noon; very hard going
! ptarmigan tracks plentiful. At
halted, used up; crawled in a hole
in a bank. Alexy in quest of game
nothing for supper except a spoon
full of glycerine; all hands weak
and feeble but cheerful. God hell
US.
Tuesday, ,11th-A gale with snow
unable to move; no game; onG
: spoonful of glyeerine and hot wa
! ter for food; no more wood in our
vicinity.
D Woi,osdav % Proc l-foet loo