The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1884-08-14
SURVIVORS OF THE GREELY EXPE-
DITIoN, ORAzED WITH STAR
VATION AND COLD,
Make HOrrid FeaSts on the
Dead Bodies of Their
Companions.
The Story Not VOuched for,
But it's Possibility Believ-
ed by Many.
General Hazen Interviewed on
the Subject and Admits
Certain Facts.

|
survivors of the Greely party, crazeC
by starvation and cold, fed on the
dead bodies of their comraaeS anC
that written documents in possession
of the navy department substantiate:
the terrible narrative. The story has
created a great sensation here, anG
Admiral Nichols, acting secretary OF
the navy, was shortly beSeigel by
newspaper men anxious to ascertain
something official concerning the pub
licatioD. The admiral said positively
| there is nothing IN the navy depart
ment confirming the story, and he
| doubted it's truth. 1t iSposSible, how
ever, report of this nature may have
gone direct to Secretary Chandler, in
New Hampshire, as numerous docu-
ments are forwarded him without ex-
animation.
Some persons express the opinion
quietly that there is something in the
story, and say it is beginning to be
known the Greely party was not as
harmonious as has been generally sup
posed, and that there is a story con-
nected with the expedition which Was
intended to conceal it, but must now
come out in the same way the history
came to the knowledge of the pub
lie.
Acting Secretary Of the Navy has
navy yard at New York to receive
from Commander Schley the relics of
the Greely expedition, recovered when
the party was rescued, and turn them
over to Lieutenant Buckingham.
The Times story was shown Gen.
HaZen, who, at first, was very nom
committal, put, finally, with emphasis
he said: "There are certain facts con-
nected with the matter l am not at
liberty to mention. 1t is very proba-
BILE, though 1 do not say so officially,
they will be made the subject of con-
gressional investigation next winter.
The story contains some inaccuracies,
notably, that in which reference is
made to devouring the amputated
limbs of those who suffered the loss
of arms and legs, in order to preserve
their lives"
Gen. Hazen was asked if there was
any truth in the statement that young
Henry had been shot and his body
eaten. "This is a subject" he re-
piled, "upon which l must decline to
be interviewed"
Q.-Is the report that Capt. Schley
called you and Secretary Chandler in
to the vessels cabin and informed you
the survivors had eaten their asso-
ciates false?
A.-That story is untrue.
Q-There is no truth, then, in the
remainder of the published stories
that bodies were eaten?
Al will not say they are not true.
L have but casually glanced at the
published story, other than at those
portions which deny.
Odd you hear any rumorseWhile
at Portsmouth that dead men had
been eaten?
A.-There were rumors of that
kind afloat. My official position
would not permit me to give the
facts in the case.
Q.-"These are facts then?"
Al can't answer that. L had a
long interview with 1t. Greely, but
the subject of eating bodies was not
referrei to. 1 can imagine a case
when cannibalism would be justifia-
BILE, and it would be a case where men
are starving.
Q.-"Do you excuse cannibalism in
the Greely case?"
A.-Under the circumstances it
would be excusable."
Q.-"Has Secretary Chandler re-
ceived any report relative to this sub
ject2
."Not that know of. 1 have receiv-
ed none."
Q.-"Is the report that Private
Henry was shot and afterwards eaten,
false?"
A.-"There were rumors at Ports
mouth he had been killed, and the
survivors had eaten his body; but de-
cline to give any facts in his case that
l might know.
OWN the shooting be the sub
ject of Investigation by the war de-
partmentp"
A.e"Not necessarily. Men are shot
every day in mutinies and no investl-
cation is made. Under some circum-
stances it might be proper"
OWN there be any investigation
of the reported eating of bodies ?"
A-"An investigation could not be
made either by the war or navy de-
partment. That is matter congress
will have to look into. Then all the
facts will be presented, and until then
nothing will be given out"
General HaZen says Lit. Greely's re
port on the entire expedition, it is pro-
bable, will be forwarded to him within
month. While it was generally con
ceded there were no records in Wash
| ington that would substantiate tht
story. Both army and navy officers
among themselves did not view it a
an lmpossibility by any means. Sai(
a naval officer in the corridor of tn,
navy department-"W -"While there is NJ
reason / know of for believing tn
story, from the fact there are NJ
records to substantiate, does no
d1sproye it at all. Lool
at it as true, Is there anything i'm
probrobable about it? You and
standing here with all comforts abou
US, look upon such a matter with drea
and horror; but you must remembe
those men were reduced to such con
dition their moral facilities were blunt
ed. They should N ot be considered II
fact. responsible agents. Self-presel
vation was their only thought, an
they could not be expected to moraliz
upon 1t.
WHISTLER INFERRED.
INDIANAPOLIS, August 12.-The rt
mains of William Whistler, late men
Der of the ,Greely arctic explorin
party, was inferred to-day near DELPHI
Carroll county. Governor Porter an
: staff were present, and number {
local military companies participatin
: in the exercises. Addresses were d.
livered by Gov. Porter, Rev Laneck
of Logansport; Judge Gould and Re
,, q. A. Wright, of Delphi. Whistle
l was a member of Company F, Mint
infantry, and his term OF enlistmeI
!; would have expired Tomorrow.
, Boat Rae nr.
. WATKINS GLEN, n. Z, August
Weather bright and prospect raciI
O favorable. Little wind and The lal
. comparatively smooth. Decisions
: the national regatta committee, ba
ring out Donahue, Murphy and MuI
f-rd and notice as to FilkingtOn al