McCook weekly tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 188?-1886, 1884-08-21
PRIVATE HENRY's DEATH.
The Arctic Explorer Who scas Shot by Order
Of Lieut.. Greedy.
The Commanding officer Makes official Re-
port Regarding the Same.

The following is Lieutenant Greely's
official report Of the execution of Private
Henry, made to the ad1utant general:
81 have the honor TO report that on June
o, 1884, at Camp Clay, near Cape Sabin,
Grinnell Land, it became necessary for me
to order the military execution of Private
Charles r. Henry. Fifth cavalry. The
order was given In writing on my undivided
responsibility, being deemed absolutely
essential for the safety Of the surviving
members Of the expedition. Ten had al
ready died OF starvation, and two more lay
at the point of death. The facts inducing
my action were as follows:
Provisions had been stolen In November,
1883, and Henry's completely therein was
more than suspected. On March "A, 1884,
the party nearly persisted from aspDyxiA.
While several men were unconscious, and
while efforts were being made for their
restoration, Private Henry stole about two
pounds Of bacon from the mess srores.
He was not only seen by the 4 kimo
Jens and Edwards, but his stomach being
overloaded, he threw up the undige sled
bacon. An open investigation was held,
and every member of the party declared
Sutlty VI tncs6 anu Quiet luclISs a
clamor for his life was raised, but was re-
pressed by me. put him under surveil
anc. until our waning strength rendered
his physical services indispensable. Later
he was found one day intoxicated, having
stolen liquor on hand for med cinal use. A
second time his life was demanded, but
again spared him. On June 5th theft Of
provisions, on his part, having been re-
ported TO me, had conveis .tion wi h
him, In winch l appealed to his practical
sense, pointing out that 1t WAS necessary to
our PR servSlion. He prom sed entire re-
formation, but distrusting him, issued
written order thai he should be shot if de.
tected stealing. On June 9TH he not only
stole part Of the shrimps for our breakfas,,
but wishing unauLnoriled our winter c. amp
stole certain Sc j skins reserved for food. [
Then ordered him 10 be shot. On his person
was found silver chronograph abandoned
by me at Fort Con ger and stolen by him.
tity of sealskins and pair OF seaiskin boots
stolen few DAYS before from the hunter.
Suspecting completely on the part of several,
[ ordered his execution by three of the most
reliable men. After his death the order
was read to the entire party and concurred
In by every member as being not ONLY just
but essential to our safety. To avoid pub
lie scandal, 1 ordered that NO man speak Of
the matter until the official report was made
of the facts. have the honor to request |
that q court Of inquiry be ordered, or q |
court martial be convened, should the hon. |
orable secretary of war deem it advisable. |
In this case 1 have thought it best not to ask |
written statements Of the surviving mem |
bers Of the pa: ty for appendices to the re-
port, lest might seem to be tampering |
with them. have rot asked since our res. |
cue, on June 22d. whether their opinions |
in my action have changed or |
not, leaving such questions to your action,
lA>S aAl x.r.A 81
imposed such terrible re-
sponstbility upon me, but l aE conscien-
tiOus in the belief that / should have failed
In my duty to the rest of my party had moi
acted promptly and sumfnarilv.
lsigned5 4. ". GREEDY.
A Chicago dispatch says: William
Helms, who wrote to Secretary Chandler
demanding an investigation into the death
of Private Cuarles b. Henry, one Of the
Greedy party, in an interview OF some length
relates that his only relation with the de-
ceased is by maria se, and thar ony dis
family. The father and mother Of the de-
ceased live in Germany. He has sister
living at Lincoln, N-b., named Dora Buck.
Henry's proper name is Charles Henri,
Buck, he, having changed his name on
joining the regular army. Henry Is de-
scribed rs person of good educa i'm ant
well brought up. As TO meriting his death
Mr.. Helms said: 'sIf Henry did stesl the
proyisia MS rs Lieutenant Greedy claims he
did, the iatrer WAS just fl I'd in ordering his
death.'' La view Of ohsr circumst IN es
the case, however, Nj. Hein'>
said he felt justified IN asking for an inv,s
tic alton.
EXHUMING LIEUT.. KIsLINGBURY' 8 BODY.
Rochester IN. W dispatch: The
most heart-rendering disclosures were
made In this city this morning regarding the
remains of Lieut.. KislIngbury, OF the Arc
tic expedition, who died amid the Arctic
snow last June. 1t is established beyond
all question that csnnibalism was resorted
to by the starving men Of the Greedy eXpe-
dition, and shows that the lives of those
saved were preserved only by eating the
dead bodies of their companions. Lieut..
kislingbury's relatives here were filled with
horrible doubts as soon as they learned that
disclosures lad been made in New York re-
garding csnnibalism am ing the members of
the expedition, and they determined to
earn the truth by eXhuming the remains
and have them examined by competent
physicians. The services of an undertaken
were secured, and this morning, with the
OF five men, he accom- D ished the
work OF taking up the casket from its resting
place. The casket was opened in the pres
snce OF Frank Kislipgbury and john P.
brothers Of the de ceased; DR..
Charles Buckley, D.. F. A. M.nlevine,
SUPERINTENDENT Still son, Assistant Superin-
tenden Vaudeville and two reporters of the
Post-Expre S. The work of opening the
ne avy iron RECEIPT Gle was found compare
lively easy, ali there was to do being 10 I'M
screw the tfty-two iron bolts which held .
down the lid. The noiseless ease with
which the latter was freed from its bed ,
showed there was IN absence Of gas in the | {
,asket snd it was feared that there might be |
40 body in the casket at all. Feeling his
way into tie mass Of cotton Waste which
iled the coffin to the top, The undertaken {
DON exclaimed: she is there.'' A strong ;
dor Of alcohol, but no very strong sugges- ,
ions of decay, emansted from the casket.
Dr.. Buckley, who had put on a pair of
Hack feather gloves, uncovered the lower
portion of the coffin aud then it appeared .s
I one Of the lees-the right one-was Mis- {
ng, but when the waste was all removed it ,
became apparent that the limb was led I'M
Ter the left one. A basket WAS next
laced upon the flor and the en-.
hrouded form taken from It and
raced upon table. The Undertaken I
md physicians now began and cut the
tltches and unwound the white th, citing
which formed the first covering. The saeet {
7as taken away. A tarred rope entwining