Butler citizen. [volume] (Butler, Pa.) 1877-1922, 1882-07-12
belongs DIARY.
The Terrible Story o. the
struggle for Lie Which
IL Tells.
WASHINGTON, June 26

he piyes a detailed account of his op-
perations up to that date and full par
ticulars of the finding of the remains OF
De Long and his comrades. This
story has already been told. But En-
pineer Melville also forwards copy
of a notebook found by De Longs
BODY, which tells the story of the strug-
gle for life which the men had. The
notes were begun on October l, 1881,
and were continued to October 30
Towards the last the notes were very
brief. The first entry tells of the
amputation of Erickson's toes. On
the 3rd of October nothing was left to
eat but their dog, which was killed
and dressed and o stew made of such
parts as could not be cured. All par
took of the stew except De Long and
the doctor. They sat around fire all
night, but had it not been for Alexy's
sealskin, De Long thinks he would
have died from the cold.
The next morning Erickson was un-
conscious and had to be lashed to a
sled. At eight O'Clock the party reach
ed hut large enough to hold them all
| and for the first time since Saturday
they managed to get warm. Erickson
was very low and prayers were read
| for him before the others sought rest.
At ten all except Alexy lay down TO
sleep. Alexy went off to hunt, and
at noon returned wet, having fallen
| into the river. at six they reused up
and had pound of dog meat for each
person and cup of tea, the days al
lowance, but they were so grateful that
they were not exposed to the terrible
| gale which was raging at the time that
they did not mind short rations. The
next day, Wednesday, tea and dog
meat were eaten and on Thursday
Alexy was sent out to hunt and Erick-
son died while he was gone. Alexy
returned empty handed. The notes at
this point say: "What in Gods name,
is going to become of US? Fourteen
pounds of dog meat left and twenty
| five miles to possible settlement"
Under date of October 6 the notes
say: "I17th day of meat and tea. The
last grain of tea was put in the kettle,
and we are now about to undertake a
journey of twenty-five miles with some
old tea leaves and two quarts of alco-
hol. However, 1 trust in God, and /
believe that He who has fed US so far
will not suffer US to die of want now"
They got under way about $50 A. NJ.
and proceeded until 11:2O, by which
time they had made about three miles
and were pretty well done up. They
had half an ounce of alcohol in a pot of
tea for dinner. 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 a fire was
built. Alexy shot one ptarmigan and
there was supper. On Sunday, the
9th, Norris and Ninderman were sent
ahead The party crossed a creek,
broke through the ice and got wet.
Dinner consisted of half an ounce of
alcohol, but three ptarmigans afforded
soup for supper. They found canoe
and partial shelter for the night.
The entry for Monday, October 10.
is thus: Last half-ounce of alcohol
at 5:39 At $50 sent Alexy off to
look for ptarmigan. Eat dear skin
scraps. Yesterday morning ate my
bear skin foot tips Under way at 8.
In crossing creek three got wet. Built
fire and dried out. Ahead again until
IL. Used up. Built fire and made
drink out OF the tea leaves and from
the alcohol bottle. On again at noon.
Very hard going PtarmIgan tracks
plentiful. At 3 halted. Used up.
Crawled into hole in the bank.
Alexy in quest of game. Nothing for
supper excepting spoonful of glycer-
inc. All hands weak and feeble. but
cheerful God help u.s."
Tuesday, In. W. gale with
snow. Unable to move. No game.
One spoonful of glyceriEe and hot
water for food. No more wood in our
vicinity"
"wednesday, 12th.-Breakfast, last
spoonful of glycerine and hot water.
For dinner a couple handsful Of Arctic
willow in pot of water and drank the
infusion. Everybody getting weaker
and weaker. Hardly able to get fire
wood. s. w. gale, with snow.
Thursday, l3th.-Willow tea. No
news from Ninderman. We are in
the hands of God, and unless He re-
lents we are lost. We cannot move
against the wind, and staying here
means starvation. Afternoon. went
ahead for mile. After crossing an
other river, or the bend of the big
river, missed Lee; went down into
hole in the bank and camped. Sent
back for Lee. He had lain down and
was waiting to die All united in
saying the Lords Prayer and Greed.
After supper strong gale OF wind;
horrible night"
Breakfast on Friday consisted of
willow tea and dinner of willow tea
and one-half spoonful of sweet oil. On
Saturday breakfast consisted of willow
tea and two old boots. The next day
Alexy broke down, and on Monday,
the l7th, died. On the 10th the doc
tor went ahead to find a new camp, and
the final entries read:
Friday-Kaack was found dead
about midnight between the doctor and
myself. Lee died about noon. Read
prayers for sick when we found he was
going.
Saturdsy-Too weak to carry the
hodioo of 90 and Kaack ont on the
ice. The doctor, Collins and myself
carried them around the corner out of
sight. Then my eyes closed up.
Sunday--Everybody very weak.
Slept or rested to-day and then manag-
ed to get enough wood in before dark.
Read part OF Divine service. Suffering
in our feet No foot-gear.
Friday-Tyerson died during early
morning.