Iowa County democrat. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1877-1938, 1884-08-22
DID EAT HUMAN FLESH
The Proof Clear that the Stary-
ing Men Ate Their
Comrades.
Lieut.. Kislingsbury's Bones
Found to be Picked
Quite Clean.
CannibaIism Proved.

of the most heart rending disclosures
was made this morning regarding
the remains of Lieutenant KS
l,ngbury of the arctic expedition
who died amid the arctic snow last
June. II is established beyond all
question that cannibalism was resort
ed to by the starving men of the
Greedy expedition, and shows that
the lives of those saved were pre-
served only by eating the dead bodies
of their companions. Lieutenant
kislingbury's relatives here were filled
with horrible doubts as soon as they
learned that disclosures had been made
in New York regarding cannibalism
among the members of the expedition
and they determined to learn the truth
by exhuming the remains and having
them examined by competent physi-
clans. The services of L. A. Jeffrey,
undertaken, were secured, and this
morning, with the assistance of five
men, he accomplished the work of
taking up the casket from its resting
place.
The casket was opened in the pres
ence of Frank w. Kislingbury and
John P. Kislinghury, brothers of the
deceased, DR.. Chas. Buckley, DR.. f.
A. Manaville, Superintendent Still
son, Assistant Superintendent Mand-
vile and two reporters of the Post
and Express. The work Of
opening the heavy iron receptacle was
found comparatively easy, all there
was to it being to unscreW So iron
bolts which held down the lid. The
noiseless ease with which the latter
was pried from its bed, showed there
was no absence of grease in the cas-
ket. and it was feared there might be
no body in the casket at all. Feeling
his way into the mass of snow cotton
waste which filled the coffin to the top,
Mr.. Jeffreys soon exclaimed, {" he is
there" A strong order of alcohol
but no very pronounced suggestions
of decay emanated from the casket.
DIR. Buckley, who had put on a pair
of black leather gloves, uncovered
the lower portion of the collins ten
ant, and then 1t appeared as if one of
the legs, the right one, was missing,
but when the waste was all removed
it became apparent the limb was tied
under the left one. The casket was
next placed upon the floor and then
enshrouded, the form taken from it
and placed upon a table. The under
taker and physician now began to cut
the stitches and unwind the sheeting
which formed the first cover. The
sheet was taken away, the tarred rope
entwining the blanket cut, and the
work of taking off this last covering
began. Slowly the blanket was re-
moved. The hlackened feshless face,
showing marks of Arctic soil, bore no
semblance to the dead man. Fhe skin
was dried to the skull The sightless
sockets and half-open moath gave the
dead man a look of mute appealing
agony. The remains were complete
ly identified as those of Lieut.. K S
lingsbury. The physicians made a
thorough examination and the re-
mains were then placed back into the
casket and again lowered to
the grave. Returning to the
city the physicians made an affidavit
that they found the skin and mus
cIes removed from the legs, thighs,
arms and parts of the body. Their
investigation leaves no doubt that the
survivors of the party were, some OF
them at least, compelled to resort to
cannibalism to save their own lives.
HONORED AT HIS BIRTHPLACE.
NEwBURYPoRT, Mass, Aug. IA
The day was ushered in by national
salute and the ringing of church bells
Crowds of people thronged the public
places. The decoration by the city
consists of four trium-
phal arches-one at the city hall, two
on State street and one at the birth
place of Greely on Prospect street.
GREELY's OFFICIAL REPORT ON HENRY S
CASE
WASHINGTON, Aug. 14.-Followlng
is the text of Lieut.. Greely's official re-
port of the execution of Private Henry
PORTSMOUTH, y. Y. aug, II.
To the Adjutant General of the United states
Army. througA the Chief Signal Officer of the
United States Army:
SIR:-I nave the honor to report that on June 8,
1884. at Camp Clay, near Cape Sabine, Grinnell
Land, it became necessary for me to order the
military execution of Private Charles b. Henry
of the 9TH cav airy, for continued thieving- The
order was given in writing, on my individual re-
Sponsibty, being deemed absolutely essential
for the safety of the surviving members OF the
exp edition Ten had already died from starvation
and two more lay at the point of death
The facts inducing my ac ION were Is follows:
Provisions had bee. stolen in November, 1883, and
Henry's completely therein was more than SIIs-
pected. March "a, 1884, he party nearly perished
from asphyxia- While severaI naen were uncon-
scious. and efforts were being made for their re-
suSctation, Private Henry stole about two pounds
OF bacon rom the mess stores. He was not only
seen by Eskimo Jim, but his stomach being over
loaded he threw up the undgested bacon. An
ipT1t haid nd 10
of the party declared him guilty of this and other
thefts clamor for his life was raised. but this
was repreSsed by me. l put him under snrveil
lance until waning strength rendered LIS
physical serviceS Indispensable. Later, he was
found one day intoxicated, having stolen liquor
on hand for general issue a second time his life
was demanded. but | again spared him. On
June 5th another theft of provisions on his part
having been reported to me, had a conversa-
tion with him. In this conversation appeal
ed to his practical sense, pointing out what
vas necessary 10 our preservation he promised
entire reformation, but. di-trustng him, is ued
a written order that he should be shot II detected
again in stealing. On June 9Th he not only stole
a part of the shrfmps for our breakfast. but viz
iting unauthorized our winter camp. stole certain
sealskins necessary for food. GA MS person We
found silver chronograph owned by me at Fort
Conger. and stolen by him In his bag was found
a large quantity of seaskin and pair OF s-alSkin
boots slolsn a few DAYS before from the hunter
SuSpecti.g completely On the part of several,
ordered his execution By three OF the most Re Ia
bic men After his death, the order was read TO
the entire party. and was concnfred IN by every
member as being not only just but essential TO
our safety. To avoid public scandal ordered
that Ro man should speak Of this matter until an
official report was made of the facts.
have the honor to request that court Of in
quiry b. ordered. or court-martial convened
should the honorable secretary Sf war deem
either advisable in this case. / have thought
best not 10 ask for the written statements OF sur
viviug members OF the party for appendices TO
the repsrt. lest / should seem 70 be tamperng
with them / have not asked since our rescue
(June 22d) Whether their opini ms concerning
my action have changed or not, leaving such
questions to your action If deem requisite
naturally regret the circumstances imp sd by
such terrible responsibility upon me, but am
conscious that should have failed in my duty 70
the rest Of nv party, had not acted promptly
and sammarily
(SiSned) Aw. GREELT.
First Lieutenant, Fifth Cavalry, e. s. g.. and
Ass5stant-Commander OF the Lady Franklin Bay
Expedition.
PORTSMOUTH, Aug. I4-Dr. Cla-
borne, of the navy, IN charge OF the
arctic survivors. says all the men viii
soon be In perfect health Surgeon
Head, of the army, VIII be here to-
morrow TO assume medical charge of
the party. No definite time at which
the survivors will be discharged has
been decided upon. It rests In the
discretion of Surgeon Head, who is
under strict orders from the secretary
of the navy that none of the party be
L