Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1882-07-01
NORTHERN TRIBUNE.
SATURDAY. JULY 1, 1882.


! Engineer Melville giving III ueuall IneI
: stafy.Of his search for De Long and
party and tho discovery OF their dead
bodies. The following extracts are from
% Longs note book:
Ul der date, of Monday, October 3, DE-
Long writes that his party thought they
saw a hut, but upon approaching jhe
spot found only mound. A camp was
made in hole in the bluff and q tOar
Ing fire was soon drying and buning
their clothes while cold wind atg into
their backs. Nothing was left toeat but
their dog, which was killed addressed
and stew made Of such partSas could
not be cured. All partook Ofthe stew
except De Long. Alexy wassent OF to
toexamine what they though was a hut,
and came back at night witYa favorable
report. 1t was decided to wit till morn
" ing before leaving 1t WIS then below
zero. A watch was set u keep the fire
going and all huddled G0und it aud
thus the third night without sleep was
passed. III, Alexy had rot wrapped his
sealsSip around De Log and kept him
I WSxiu b vlhe heat OF lis body he Ode
ods.)lstkAhks he would have persisted as
Z he Wasts SNmed and shivered and shook.
VISA. M.Ss>be party reached a large
enough hut tC\h0ld them, and for the
first time sincA Saturday they managed
to get warm. EEriekson was very sick
and prayers wefe read for him before
the others sought rest. At 10 A. NJ, all
except Alexy lay dNwn to sleep. Alexy
went off to hunt and at Loon returned
wet, having fasiSn INTO river. AT Up:
F.. NJ. they reused u ann had a pound OF
/, dog meat for eacl perNoa and cup or
tea, tile days allowance. But they were
so grateful that theF weTe not exposed
to the terrible gale, 'hicSI was raging at
the time. that they lid Not n.ind the
shcrt rations. On "Wednesday had tea
and don meat for br, stfastA Alexy again
went oft hunting an 4 cameNA back win
nothing. On Thurst ay hadN cup, of
4 third hand tea with half ami ounce OF
alcohol In it, Alexy was again sent out
to hunt and Erickson died Whlie he was
gone. Alexy returned empty banded.
Che notes at this p0ilt say; Wnat IN
Gods name is going TO become OF u.s.
Fourteen pounds of dog meat ieit and
20 miles to possible settlepaent: Ihey
could not dig grave f0p Erickson as
the ground was frozen 100 hard and they
had nothing to die with, so they sewed
his bodv M in lap5s Of the tent, and COW
cred hin with tS6eir flags and buried in
thNfyea .fThree volleys from their Rem
,ngtOns were fired over him.
Under date of October the notes say:
18th day. Breakfast consisted Of the
last half pound of dog meat and tea.
The last grain of tea was put in the ket-
tle, and we are now about to undertake
a tourney Of % miles with the same old
tea leaves and two quarts Of alcohol.
However. trusb IN God, and believe tnat
NE who has fed Us this far will not suffer
MS to die of want aow. Got under way
at $50 A. NJ, and proceeded until 11:2O,
by which time had made about three
miles. We were pretty we'll done up.
Had half an ounce of alcohol in pot OF
tea for dinner. Went ahead and soon
struck what seemed to be the main riv-
or again. Here four of the party broke
through the ice in trying to cross and
fearing frost bite fire was built. Alexy
was sent off to look for food, being di
rected not to go far nor stay long. He
came back at $50 with one ptamargin
of which soup was made and with {
half ounce of alcohol we made supper
Saturday, Oct. SCALED all hands al
$40. bBreakfast Ihalf an ounce of alc0h0
and a pint of hot water. Alcohol prove
of great advantage. 1t keeps off crav
ings for food, preventing gnawing Of
the stomach and has kept up the strength
of the men, who are given three ounces
day. Went ahead until 1890 and ate
five miles struck the big river again
Have to turn back. Only made an al
vance of one mile. Have cold camp
but little wood and half an ounce OF al
cOhOl.
Sunday, 9th-All hands at 4:3O. Hal
ounce of alcohol. Read divine service
Sent NindOrman and NOrOs ahead for re
U,t - fn1 nj Nhnnrnd fhOn
under way. At crossed the creek an
broke through the ice. All wet up t.
knees. Dried clothing and got unde
way again at 1879. At struck the riv
er bank. Halt for dinner. Half OuDc
of alcohol. Alexy shot three ptamar
gins and made soup. We are following
Ninderman's track, although he is lon
since out of sight. Found a canoe, lal
orr heads in it and tried to go to sleel
Monday. October 19th-Last half Ounc
of alcohol at $50. At $50 sent Alex
to look for ptarmigan. Ate deerski
scraps Yesterday morning. Ate my dee
skins foot tips. Under way at 8. l
crossing the creek three got wet. But
a fire and dried out. Ahead again I'll
II. Used ND. Built fire and made
drink out of tea leaves and from the a.
cohol bottle. On again at moor
Very bad going. Ptarmigan track pleI
tiful. At three halted, used up. CraWle
into a hole in bank. Alexy went ]
quest of game. Nothing for supper 81
cept spoonful of glyceriDe. All hant
weak and feeble, hut cheerful. GOD ne
us.
Tuesday, Oct. 11th-Gale with snow
Unable to move. No game. One spool
full of glycerine and hot water for FOO
No more wood in our vicinity.