The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-11-10
SERIOUS CHARGES.
Melville Accused Of Responsibility for DIG
Longs Death.

MINNEAPOLIS, Nov. 2.--The Tribune to-
morrow will print m interview with DIR. ID.
r. Collins Of this city, . brother Of the late
Jerome J. Collins, the scientist Of the Jean-
nstte expedition. DIR. Collins says: ave
have the evidence that Captain De Long
used his official position - commander Of
the expedition. TO prosecute in every con-
ceivabic way some members of the party.
Ny brother was placed under arrest for no
reason whatever. This, Lieutenant anen-
hover admitted TO me In New York. Cap
tain De Long refused to allow my brother,
1t certain times, to do any kind of work,
and purposely allowed all the notes, pho
tographs and records Of the expedition pre-
pared by my brother to sink. We have evil
dence that the Captain forced him to remain
behind when he volunteered to 90 ahead
with Ninderman aud Noros In search Of re-
lief, my brother being In the best condition
OF any member Of the party to do so. There
Ii evidence that Bartlett, who is now In ST.
IBERIA, one Of the seamen, Is in possession Of
valuable facts, but we believe he has been
kept In Siberia purposely by the officers Of
the expedition. so that his testimony may
not get before the Board.
ave are also In possession of full Inform
alton that on Melville finding the bodies Of
the De Long party he used most blasphe-
nous and scandalous language concerning
my brothers body: we also have reason for
believing that the reports made by Melville
- to the condition of the weather, which he
alleged prevented him from going to the re-
lief Of the Do Long party, were false, for the
dates on which he declared to have ben bad
are shown to have been good by the rec
ords." Collins further asserts that jealou. y
existed between certain officers of The expe-
dltion, the trouble first beginning, As he
learns, over an order to the effect that all
the men should undergo . physical examin-
alton monthly. Neither Collins nor Danen-
hover were permitted to assist in the re-
treat.
ave happen to know that Kusmah re-
quested Melville to 90 to De Longs relief,
or send some one, and that Melville would
do neither. He first gave an order to Dam
enhower to 60, and then countermanded 1t.
Kusmah and Shagra were fifteen days In
making the round trip from Belun to the
spot at which Melvilles party was. Two
days each way was ample time for the jour-
ney. During the trip these men got drunk
and Melville knew 1t. While they were
gone In search Of Dc Long, Melville and
and those with him made chessmen and
checker boards and amused themselves,
leaving the work Of searching for their COM
panions to two ignorant and drunken M.
tives. We know from conversation with
surviving members Of the expedition that
certain letters and papers which we believe
were on my brothers. person, have never
been produced. We want To know what
has been done with these papers. II Mel
vile had gone with the natives, as be ought
TO have done, there Is no doubt that De
Long aud his party would have been saved.
He would have seen that beacon fires had
been lighted on the bluffs, Is stated In Do
Longs journal which was found, even Ii he
had started out when Kusmah and Shagrx
were overdue. We therefore make the
charge that, had Melville done his duty in
stead Of playing chess and checkers, De Long
and his party would not have died. Melville
left them to die. He Is responsible for their
deaths" Coiiius will print this statement
In pamphlet form, with documentary evi-
dence, and lay 1t before Congress.