The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1884-07-19
STORY OF THE RESCUE.
How the Searchers Came Upon the
perishlng Arctic Explorers.
Only Four Men Able to Get Outside
the Tent-Nourishfng the Per-
fshins-A Terrible Scene
of Starvation.

ST. JOHNS, n F., July 19-At Brevoort
island the two ships the Thetis and Bear,
were tied to the ice, and parties were sent
out to search for records OF cairns. Lieut..
Taunt found a record on the top of Bre-
wort island, left Oct. 20, 1883, stating that
the Greely colonists had established a
permanent camp halfway between Cape
Sabine and Cooked Hat island having at
that date but forty days rations They were
sorely pressed, but all were well and safe at
that time This news was received just after
Lieut. Colwell, Chief Engineer Lowe. and
ex-Pilots Ash and Norman had started in the
Bears steam launch to search the Beebe
cache They were called back and informed
of the news, and ordered to push ahead
The Bear being under weigh Capt Schley
took her and started ahead. The Thetis took
the search parties on board and Immediately
followed The steam-launch reached the
camp first, and returned to the ship with the
terrible tidings that only seven of the party
were alive, and that Lieut.. Greedy and two Of
the party were dying. Capt. Schley and En-
DRY, the doctor of the Bear, and Ensign Rey-
nolds We're soon on their way to the camp with
restoratives, food, and clothes, and every
thing required for immediate use. Milk
punch was prepared on the way. The wind
was blowing gale, and it was only by the
most careful management that the launch
reached the camp. The waves flooded the
boat, drenching every one.
One of the rescuing party says:
"As soon as the ice foot was touched
jumped on shore, and accosted the lone
stranger:
"How are you allF
Gle answered family: There are seven of
us left yet" EEzs&Fft
"We were all struck with dismay. Gather
| ing up hastily little food and stimulants we
hastened to the Greedy encampment, and there
| beheld Mountaineering scene A gale of
wind was blowing The tent had been shat
tered and had fallen on the wearisd and
| dying mon. We entered and saw a scene of
unspeakable misery and desolation. Hag-
gard faces, staring eyes gaZed at us. One of
the six sufferers was pointed to as dying
We at once began to feed them with light
food End dispatched the launch to the Thetis
for assistance. Capt. Emroy and DR.. Amss
came on shore, a fire was kindlsd, hot milk
punch was prepared, restoratives applied,
]. and in less than all hour the woebegone suffer
ers were able to stand staggeringly on their
| feet r-tL
When Greedy and his men were first found
the search party in the launch was obliged tc
cut through the tent to reach the starving
men. Lieut.. Greeley was just able to sup
4 port himself on his hands and knees. He
was dressed in fur, with a red knitted
| hood, which added to his haggard appear
ance. His long hair and beard, his wasted
form, and deep-sunken eyes, which shons
through his glasses with an increased bril-
fancy, his feeble voice, which he strove tc
control, but which plainly revealed his feel
ings, brought moisture to the eyes of the
strongest of the relief party.
On either side of him lay two of his com
panions, both in dying condition-Corpora
Joseph Ellison, with both hands and fee
frozen Off and unable to raise his head, and
Private Maurice Cornell, in his sleeping bag
dying of starvation Greedy had been read
ing the prayers for the dying when the party
arrived.
4 -Four of the party-Sergt Brainard, Pri
Yates Long and Fredericks, and Hospita
Steward Beberbeck-were just atleto stagge
out of the tent. A small quantity of milk
punch and ammonia strengthened them, anc
soon beef-tea and warm milk was added
! All were stimulated by their rescue, ant
their pleadings for food were heaftrending
But all solid food was refused them, anc
they We're carefully transported to tn,
Thetis and Bear and tenderly cared for
1t was with the greatest difficulty that thel
were quoted. Their long fast had left then
like insane men, and had they been allowed
to eat as they desired all would have died