Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1884-08-14
EXECUTED IN THE ARCTIC
PRIVATE HENRY SHOT DEAD
FOR STEALING FOOD.

Explorers Knell-Cannibalism Not
Known of by the Rescued Leader
The Fleet Still in Commission.
PORTSMOUTH, N. H., Aug. 1S.-An
Associated Press reporter had an inter-
view with Lieut.. Greedy to-day on the re.
ports of cannibalism which have attract
ed so much attention during the past two
days.
THE MARCH SOUTHWARK.
Lieut.. Greedy being asked what truth
there was in the article published in the
New York Times of yesterday, he gave an
account of the various events of the latter
part of the retreat southwark from Fort
Conger. About Nov. 1 the party began to
be served with one quarter rations, and
debilitated health soon showed the effect
OF this insufficient food. The men were
not before this in as good condition to
withstand Arctic weather as they
had been the year before. About Nov. l
provisions were missed from the stores,
and it was concluded that they must have
been stolen. Much complaint was made
by the men and the threats against
the thief were loud. Jan. "a
the party was near perishing from
a sphXia and several of its members were
unconscious. Private Henry during this
EsquimauX to steal some of the bacon
from the stores. He soon afterwards was
taken i'll from overlooking his stomach
and Yomlted up the bacon undigested.
CLAMORING FOR HENRY'S LIFE.
An investigation was had and Henry
was proved guilty, not only of this, but of
several previous thefts. 1t was a terrible
state of affairs. Henry's indignant com
rades demanded his death over and over
again. Henry promised to reform, but this
did not still the clamor for his life.
Lieut.. Greedy demonstrated with his men
and all was quieted. Taking Henry in
hand Lieut.. Greedy represented to him the
enOrmity of his Otfensc and pointed out to
him the necessity for concerted ac-
tion in the party if all would be
saved Henry was then placed
under guard for several weeks, until the
increasing feebleness of the other men,
bers of the party rendered it necessary
for them to avail themselves of Henry's
personal services. Shortly afterward
he stole liquor from the stores and
became intoxicated. Again his comrades
clamOred for his life and again Lieut..
Greedy restrained his men. On June 5
he again stole and carried away some of
the provisions. Lieut.. Greedy spoke
firmly to Henry and told him that it would
be policy for him to stop.
GREELY's APPEAL.
He said: "For Gods sake, Henry, as
you seem to have no moral sense, remem-
Der that our lives depend upon our hold
ing together.'
With great earnestness Henry promised
not to be guilty of theft again. Lieut..
Greedy felt that he could not trust
Henry. After revolving in his
mind their circumstances, the
Lieutenant on his own responsibility is
sued written order, nOw.in possession of
one Of the survivors, commanding that
Henry be shot on sight for the commission
of any more thefts of food. At this time
the party had left as a last resort the
last piece of sealskin and such
shrimps as they could procure.
About June Henry went to the old win
ter quarters at Camp Clay, near Cape
Sabine, and stole some of the last seal
skin, which was the only food left.
He also took the last pair of boots
in the stores. On being closely ques-
toned by Lieut.. Greely he admitted
his guilt. He was again ready with
promises to do better. His fate was upon
him. He was alone in the afternoon Of
that day little distance at the rear of the
summer quarters. The written order for
his execution was committed to three of
the party.
They were ordered to shoot him, encoun-
tering as little danger to themselves as
possible, as Henry was the strongest of
the party. Sadly the men departed on
their terrible errand. Their comrades
left in the camp turned their eyes to the
ocean. In few minutes the breeze bore
to their ears the sound of two quick
pistol shots. Allwere silent. Slowly after
short intervals the men returned. rhe
written order was handed to Lieut.
GTeely and the horrible but necessary
eXecutiOn3was 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. The order for the execution of
Henry was that afternoon read to the
survivors, and all con ncurred in the justice
and necessity OF the act. No report of
the manner of his death has ever been
made to Lieut.. Greely, and the
survivors tacitly ignored the ter
rible remembrance. AS far as
the reports of cannibalism are concerned
Lieut.. Greedy says that they are false.
OF his own knowledge he knows of moth
ing of the kind and the survivors all in
dignantly deny it. If any cannibaIism
took place Lieut.. Greedy emphatically
says that it was in secret, and not in
dulged in by the party, but to the best of
HIS kHOWlGuSG JuGIE WdS HOu6.
"Whyp' said Lieut.. Greedy, "why did
we not allow poor Ellison to die if we
were so past the line between humans
and sayages? Why did we share our food
with him to the last drop"
UNANswERABLE LOGIC.
Indeed. Lieut.. Greely's logic was un-
answerable. Lieut.. Greely says that he
has never seen the bodies since they were
disinterred, and does not know what their
condition is. AS to the Times statement
that he did not wish the bodies
disinterred, Lieut.. Greedy said:
"Often in talking over what
seemed to be inevitably our fate, the men
expressed a wish to be buried on the
verge of the great Polar sea, by whose
shores they had met their death. Out of
Difference to the solemn wishes of the
Dead 1 spoke against disinterring the
bodies, and for no other rea-
son. Had died, l should
have wished grave in the North. All
through the retreat discipline, with the
exception Of Henry's thefts, was well
maintained, and all yielded implicit obe-
dience, even to the last dread day on Point
Sabine" A verbal report was
made to Gen. Hazen by Lieut.. Greely
shortly after the arrival of the relief eX-
petition at Portsmouth in regard to the
execution of Henry. Gen. Hazen said:
cit was not only justiiable, but the
noblest thing in the expedition. A writ
ten report was submitted by Lieut.. Greely
to the War Department a few days
ago fully covering Henry's case.
COURT-MARTIAL ASKED.
a court-martial has been asked by for
Lieut.. Greely, if the facts seem to the
War Department to warrant it. In clos
ing Lieut.. Greedy said: 81 regret that
the raSDOnsibiiItV of decidino Henrv1s
case was thrust upon me, but felt that
should have failed in my duty to the
rest of the noble men of my command.
had / not acted as did. "Lieut. Greely
goes to Newburyport tomorrow to attend
a reception. His comrades will not ac-
company him, as Private Conn has
been seized with a slight fever,
md the others will not go unlesl
all can go. Lieut.. Greely will return
here Friday morning. The American
Yacht Club of New York invited him to-
day to be present at their banquet to the
officers of the Relief Expedition at Del
monico's next Friday. He has declined
on the ground of i'll health.
Sergeant Brainard, who is IN the hOspi-
tai at the navy yard, confirms Lieut.. Gree
ly's statements. More than week ago
Lieut.. Greely forwarded to the Secretary
of War detailed report of Henry's exc
cution. Upon proper representations to
Secretary Lincoln, a court of inquiry will
undoubtedly be ordered.
FUTURE OF THE FLEET.
Orders have been issued from the Navy
Department for the vessels of the Greely
relief expedition to land their surplus
stores at the navy yard at New
York, and to remain in commission
at that port until further orders.
These orders were issued upon telegraphic