Press and daily Dakotaian. (Yankton, Dakota Territory [S.D.]) 1880-1889, 1882-06-29

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 dogs meat left and twenty
tive miles to possible settlement"
They could not dig grave for Erickson,
as the ground was frozen too hard and
sewed his body up IN the flaps Of an old
tent. covered INN with their flags and
buried him in the river. Three volleys
from their ReminRtons were fired over
him. Under date of the 9Th the notes
say:
"One hundred and seventeenth day
Breakfast consisted of the last pound
of dogs meat and tea. The last grain
OF tea was put in the kettle, and we are
now about to undertake journey OF
twenty-five miles with some old tea
leaves and two quarts of alcohol. How
ever trust in God and balieve that He
who has fed us thus far will not suffer
US to die OF want now."
The party left the record in hut,
which was found by Melville, as already
reported. They got under way at $50
a. NJ, and proceeded until ll:20, by
which time they had made about three
miles. and were all pretty we'll done up.
They had half an ounce of alcohol in a
pot OF tea for dinner, and 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 tearing frost bites fire was built.
Alexy was sent off to look for food. be-
Ing directed not to go far nor stay long.
He came back at $50 with one ptarmi-
gan, OF which soup was made, and with
per.
Saturday, October 8, the notes say:
Called all hands at $50. Breakfast, half
an ounce of alcohol and pint of hot
water. The alcohol proves OF great ad-
vantage. 1t keeps off craving Tor food,
preventing the gnawing of the stomach,
and has kept up the strength of the men,
who are given three ounces day. Went
ahead until 1880, and after few miles
struck the big river again. Only made
an advance of one mile. A cold camp,
but little wood, and half an ounce of al.
cohol.
Sunday, 9th-All hands at 400. Half
an ounce of alcohol. Read divine SER
vice; sent Ninderman and Noros ahead
for relief; they started at seven; cheered
them under way; at eight crossed the
creek; broke ice; all wet up to the knees;
dried clothing and underclothing again
at 1880; at one struck higher bank
halt for dinner; half On 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 canoe and laid onr head.
in it to go to sleep.
i Monday, October l0-The last half
ounce Of alcohol drank at $50. At 6:3O
sent Alexy off to look for ptarmigans
Ate deer skin scraps. Yesterday morn.
ing ate my deer skin foot tips. Under
way at eight. In crossing creek three
got wet. Built a fire and dried out
Ahead again till IL; used up; built fire
and made drink out OF tea leaves anc
: from the alcohol. bottle. On again a
noon; very hard going. Ptarmiga1
tracks plentiful. At 3 halted; used up
crawled into hole in bank. Alexy il
quest of game. Nothing for supper ex
ceptt spoonful of glycerine. All hands
weak and feeble, but cheerful. God helr
us.
| Tuesday, la gale with snow. I'm
| ~0AS w AAASsSs ANo enAAOs OlO okJJouAuAo VI
glycerine and hot water for food. Nc
more wood in our vicinity.
. Wednesday, l2-Breakfast; last Spoon
full Of glycerine and hot water; for dinner
o couple handsful of Arctic willow in :
pot of water and drinking the infusion
Everybody getting weaker and weaker
, and hardly able to get fire wood. Gal,
with snow.
Thursday, 13th-Willow tea. No new
from Ninderman. We are in the hand
of God. and unless he relents we ar,
l lost. We cannot move against the wind
and staying here means starvation
Afternoon went ahead for mile. Afte
crossing another river or bend of the biz
river missed Lee. Went down in hol
: in the bank and camped Sent back 70
Lee. He had laid down to die. AL
united in saying the Lords prayer ant
cried. After supper strong gale O
wind. Horrible night.
, Friday-Breakfast, willow tea. Dinner
half o teaspoonful of sweet oil and vii
low tea. Alexy shot one ptarmigan. Ha,
soup. Wind moderating.
Saturday, October l5-Breakfast, vii
!, low tea and two old boots. Conclude t.
move at sunrise. Alexy breaks down
also Lee. Come to an empty grain Grill
Halt and camp. Signs of smoke at twi
light to the southward.
Sunday, October 16-Alexy brok
down. Divine services.
Monday-Alexy dying. Doctor bap
tized him and read prayers for the sick
: Mr.. Collins birthday, 40 years old
About sunset Alexy died of exhaua
ton from starvation. Covered him witt
an ensign and laid him in crib.
Tuesday-Calm and mild. Snow fall
Q ing. Buried Alexy in the afternoon
8 Laid him on the ice and covered hir
with slabs of ice.
Misunderstanding up tent to max
foot-gear. Doctor went ahead TO fin
, new camp. Shifted by dark.
Ihursday-Bright and sunny. but yer,
, cold. Lee and Koack done up.
> Friday-Koack was found dead abou
t midnight between the doctor and myself
l Lee died about noon. Read prayers fo
the sick when we found he was going.
' Saturday-Too weak to carry the boo
, les of Lee and Koack out on the ice. Th
doctor, Collins and myself carried ther
{ around the corner out of sight. The
8 my eyes closed up.
; Sunday-Everybody pretty veal
3 Slept or rested and then managed to g:
| enough wood in by dark. Read part {
{ divine service. Suffering in our feet: n
= foot gear.
J. Monday-A hard night.
8 Tuesday. Wednesday. Thursday. 27tl