Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-08-14
LIEUT.. GREELY INTERVIEWED.
Admits that Henry was Shot for Steai-
ing Food. but Denies Cannibalism.
PORTSMOUTH, n. H., Aug. Is.

was apportioned out to the survivors for their
sustenance, and this fact being finally and pos
itively asceriained Lieut.. Greely had thereaf-
ter hard work 10 protect the mans life.
1t became necessary in order TO keep up
discipline TO inform Henry that he would be
shot if the practice continued and that SINH
lar fate would be meted out 10 any other
member OF the party who should be detected
in a like crime. Ii Henry had been permitted
10 continue his stealing unmolested the bal
ance of the party would have surely starved
TO death and Henry alone survived. After
and il spite Of these warnings, Henry was
again detected stealing provisions. Among the
food taken was two pounds of bacon, eating
of so much of which made him sick Search
was then instituted when il was found that
Henry had, among other articles, stolen and
secreted pair of seal-skin boots which had
belonged TO Hunter of the party. Lieut.
Greely was therefore forced in order TO main
tain military discipline and to protect the lives
of his other comrades to issue written order
that Henry be shot, which order was carried
into effect June 9th. As to the alleged cam
ibalism Lieut.. Greedy says If there was any
thing of the kind it must have been an indi-
vidual act and not general. Nothing of the
kind, however, came under Lieut. Greelys
observation. Sergeant Brainard, who is in the
hospital navy yard, confirms Lieut. Greely's
statement. More than week ago Lieut..
Greelv forwarded to the Secretary of War
detailed report of Henry's execution. Upon
proper representations to Secretary Chandler,
a court of inquiry will undoubtedly be ordered
New YORK, Aug. Is.
The rumor that Charles b. Henry OF the
Greely expedition was killed and portion OF
his body eaten, has caused much excitement
in the neighborhood of Cypress Hill cemetery
An application has been made TO coroner
Robinson by persons not related to Henry, 10
have the body exhumed and an inquest held.
The laws of the State in cases where person
dies outside of the State but Is buried IN 1t,
permits, il is claimed, that the coroner of the
coanty in which the body is buried, is To de-
termine whether there is cause to hold an
inquest. The coroner has the matter under
advisement, and will take counsel on the mat
ter today.
PoRTsMQurH, n. H., Aug. IS.
Lieut.. Greelv seen by the associated press
reporter this afternoon, and being asked what
truth there was in the article published in the
New York Times of yesterday, Lieut. Greely
gave the reporter a full account of the various
events of the latter part of the retreat south
ward from Fort Conger. About Nov. lst the
party began to be served with one quarter
rations and debilitated health soon showed
the effect of this insufficient amount of food.
The men were not before this, in as good a
condition to withstand the weather as they
had been year before. About Nov. LIST, pro
visions were missed from the stores, and il
was concluded that they had been stolen.
Much complaint was made by the men and
threats against the thiet were loud. On Jan.
"a, the party was near perishing from asphyX-
ia, and several of its members were uncon-
scous. Private Henry, during this terrible
experience, was seen by one of the esquimauX
to steal some of the bacon from the stores.
lie soon afterward wa, taken Ill from over
loading his stomach, and vomited up bacon
indigested. An investigation was had, and
Henry was proved to have been guilty not
only of this, but Of several previous thefts. 1t
was a terrible state of affairs. The fast weak
ening wearied men found in their midst, one
who to save himself would allow the rest to
die of starvation. Henry's indignant comrades
demanded his death over and over again. but
Henry promised reformation, but this did not
still the clamor for his life. Lieut.. Greedy
demonstrated with men and all was quieted.
Taking Henry in hand, Lieut.. Greedy repre-
sented 70 him the enOrmity of his ofiense and
pointed out to him the necessity for concerted
action. if all were to be saved. Henry was
placed under guard for several weeks, until
the increasing feebleness Of others, rendered
il necessary for them to avail themselves of
Hcnry's personal services. Shortly after
ward, he stole liquor from the stores and be-
came intoxicated. Again his comrades clam
cred for his life, and again Greedy restrained
them. On June ). he again stole and carried
away some of the provisions.
Lieut.. Greedy spoke firmly to Henry and
told him it would be policy of him to stop.
Said the lieut., ''for Gods sake Henry as
you seem to have moral serse remember our
lives depend on our holding together"
With great earnestness Henry promised
solemly not to be guilty Of theft again. Lieut.
felt that he could not trust Henry. After
revolving in his mind the circumstances the
lieut.. on his own responsibility issued an
order, now in the possession of one of the
survivors, commanding that Henry be shot
on sight Of commission Of any more thefts of
food. About June 9Th. Henry went to the
old winter quarter, at Camp Clay, near Cape
Sable, and stole some sealskin. which was
all that was left. He also took the last pair
Of boots in the store. On being closely
questioned he admitted his guilt. He was
again ready with promises to do better. Fate
was on him. He was in the forenoon Of that
day little distance in the rear Of the quar-
ters alone. The written order for his execu-
ton was committed to three of the men
They were ordered to shoot him. encounter
ing as little danger to themselves AZ possible. /
as Henry was the strongest man 10 the party
Sadly the men departed on their errand
Their comrades left in camp turned their ewes
to the ocean. In few minutes the breeze
bore to their ears the sound Of two quick
pistol shots. All were silent Slowly after
the shot the men returned. The order was
handed to Greely and the execution was
over. Henry was never seen again by
his comrades, and his body was understood
to be inferred at the foot Of the northwest ice
foe. No report Of the manner Of death had
ever been made to Lieut. Greely. and the
survivors tacitly ignored the terrible remem-
b-ance As far as the reports Of cannibalism
is concerned Greedy says they are false OF
his own knowledge he knows OF nothing Of
the kind and the survivors all Indignantly
deny it. If any cannibalism took place
Greely says it was in secret and not INDUCED
in by the party, but to his best knowledge
there was none.
why" said Lieut. Greely, ''why did we
not allow poor Ellison 10 die if we were so
past the line between humans and sayagesl
Why did We share our food with him to the
last drop?" Greefysa he has never seen
the bodies since they were disinterred and
does not know that their condition is
As TO the Times statement that he did not
the bodies disnterred, Greely said
-'0ften in talking over what seemed to be in
evitably of fate the men all expressed wish