The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1882-06-27
"A DIARY OF DEATH.
sroRYToLD BY o'LoNa's NOTE BOOK
Oas Of the Most Pathetic Chapters Of the Arctic
Tragedy-A Aourndsrfui Tale Of Sui1srJpx IN
a,, the lssbosnd North-A History Of 5l.
lluman Horrors Aad Despair.

WASHINGTON, June oG.-The Navy De.
partmcnt Is in receipt Of the report from
Engineer Melville giving in detail tho story
Of his search for DeI.ous and party and the
discovery Of their dead bodies. j.H
The following extractsare from Belongs
notebook under date Of Monday, October
3D.: DeLong writes that his party thought
they saw hut, but upon reaching tho spot
found only a mound. A camp was made
in hole in the bluff, md roaring fire
was soon drying (and burning) their
clothes, while the cold wind ate into their
backs. Nothing was left to cat but their
dog, which was killed and dressed aud n
stew made Of such parts rs could not be
cured. All partook Of the stew except
Del.ong, and Dr.. Aiexy was sent Oft to ex.
anime what they thought was hut, and
came back at night with a favorable re.
port. twas decided 10 wait till morning
before leaving. It was then below zero
Awatch wis set to keep the fire going, and
all huddied around it, and thus the third
night without sleep was past. II Alcxy
had not wrapped his sealskin around De.
Long and kept him warm by the heat OF his
body, he, DeI.ong, thinks he would have
perished, as he was steamed, and shivered
and shook.
AtSA.M., the party reached hut large
enough to hold them, and Tor the first time
since Saturday they managed to get warm.
Erickson WIS very low and ayers were
read Tor him before the Others sought rest
At 10 A. NJ. all except Alexy laid down 10
sleep. Alexy went Off to hunt and at
noon returned wet, having fallen into tho
river. At 6 =. N. they reused up and had
Il pound OF dog meat for each
person and u cupof tea, the days allowance,
but they were 30 grateful that they were
not exposed to the terrible gale which was
raging at the time they did not mind the
short rations. On Wednesday they had
tea and dry meat for. breakfast. Alexy
again went off hunting and came back with
nothing. On Thursday we had cup of
,H''. 1t.''o .S" "'@a 'ni' All ouuce Vi !iic0-
hol IN 1t. Alexy was again sent out to
hunt and Erickson died while he was
gone. Alexy returned empty handed The
notes ut this point say, What in Gods
name IS gong TO become CT lis? Fourteen
pounds Of dog meat LETT and o5 miles TO a
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 scwed
his body up IN laps o! tent, covered him
with their tiag ana buried him in the river
Three volteys from their Remingtons were
tired over him.
Under date OF October 9Th the notes say:
"One hundred and seventeenth day, break.
fast 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 q Journey with some old tea
leaves and two quarts OF alcohol. How
ever, [ trust in God, and believe that He
who has fed US thus far will not suffer lis
to die OF want now"
The party left record in the hut, which
was found by Melville as already reported.
They got Under way at $50 \. ", aud pro-
ceeded until ll:20, by which time they had
made about three miles and were all pretty
well done up. They had half All ounce OF
alcohol in Il pot OF tea for dinner. Went
ahead and soon found 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, II fire was built.
Alexy was sent OFT to look for food, being
directed not to 80 iar or stay long. He
came back at $50 with one ptarmisan, OF
which soup was made, aud with hali an
ounce OF alcohol made their supper.
saturday, october s.-The notes say:
Called all hands at $50 for breakfast,
which consisted OF hall an ounce OF alcohol
and pint OF hot water. Alcohol proves to
be Of great advantage, keeps off craving
for food, preventing gnawing Mt stomach
and has kept up the strength OF men. who
are given three ounces day. Went ahead
until 1890 and after. five miles struck the
big river again. Have to turn back, only
made an advance ofone mile. Gold camp,
but little wood and hall an ounce OF alco.
mol. -
sunday o--All hands were up ut 4:3o.
Had hall M ounce Of alcohol. Read d.
vine service. Sent Ninderman and Noros
ahead ior relief; They started Mt seven
theefed ihem. ondeF way at !, crossed
creek and broke through; all wet up to
knci s; dried clothing and underwear again
at 1880. At l, struck the river bank; Il
halt lor dinner was made with half an
ounce Q! alcohol. Alexy shot three ptar-
mlg,tns :antt made soup. We are follow
ing Nlnderman,s track although he is long
since out OF sight Fl
October l0.-Iook the last half.ounce Of
alcohol at o:3o. AT $50 sent Alexy of to
look Tor ptarmlgan. Eat deer skin scrnps,
Yesterday morning ate my deer skin foot
tips: Under way at g.. In crossing the
creek three got wet; built fire and dried
outs Ahead again till II. Used up; built
fire and made 4 drink out Of tea leaves and |
from alcohol bottle. On again at noon,
very hard going. Ptarmisan tracks plenti.
iul. At 3 We halted, used up. Crawled |
into hole in the bank. Alexy went in
quest OF game. Nothing for supper except