Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-09-06
THE GREELY SCANDAL.
The Preposterous Idea of Telling Such
STORIES abcut Brainard-His Denials.
WAsHISGroS. Sent. s.

WASHINGTON, Sept. 5.
The Star publishes the following interview
with 8 naval officer who was on board one
of the Greely relief vessels.
In answer TO the reporters question in
regard to the expedition, he said:
~ saw the interviews with an army officer
and think great injustice is being done to
Sergeant Brainard. One look at the man
would be sufficient to satisfy one that the
statements regarding him are untrue, and
Brainard is right in denying them"
Perhaps he has been confused with Long"
suggested the reporter.
THAT may be-" was the reply, "for Long
would be much more likely to say such things
than Brsinsrd. who was practically the head
of the expedition after Greedy became inca
pacitsted for duty, and he showed himself in
possession of ability far above his station
Long was hunter for the party and he was
dead shot. There is no doubt in mind but
that he kept more than his share of the game
killed. When he met the rescuing party his
mouth was all bloody and when a little later
he was visited by two officers and the priest,
Norman, the latter picked up the bodies of
two elder ducks, recently killed and evidently
placed there for safe keeping"
"Was there cannibalism?" asked the re-
porter
'Why, of course there was. but believe
Greedy didn't know of it. and if he ate human
flesh himself, he didn't know it,
WAS the subject ever mentioned?"
'Not that / know of. When it was
announced that the bodies were to be taken
aboard ship, Greedy urged that they be left
where they were buried. Lockwood, he said,
particularly requested it. That was all right
for Lockwood's body was not mutilated.
Brainard did not tell of anv cannibalism, you
can rest assured of that. don't think any of
the diaries which are preserved mention it.
but it is supposed that Snider's diary which
was lost, made some reference to it. 1t was
either picked up and secreted by one of the
men or was thrown overheard with Greely's
sleeping bag by mistake,
When the diaries are published Lockwoods
will be far the most interesting. 1t is very
full and written entirely in short hand, and
nobody has as yet read it. The mutilation of
the bodies was done by skilful hand, and
there 10 NO doubt but the hospital steward
used the knife after the decease of DR..
Pavy."
"Did you see any signs of division in the
party?"
'No, sir, did not When the survivors
were found they were all under one tent.
That is. all were camped in but three, who
wCIC Juet OutoiuC thc inP VI VIC tCut. EVCu
Lieuts. Greely and Lockwood had no serious
misunderstanding up to the time the boats
were abandoned. Criticism upon Greely's
lack OF discipline are uncorroborated. He
said he would take no steps against anybody
until attacked. He is no particular friend Of
mine. but know he will come out ahead.
He has never said a word agrinst Hszeu, but
has critized Darlington severely for not ex-
amining the cache of provisions at Prayer
Harbor as directed. If he had done that and
left fresh supply instead of the spoiled
rations that were there, probably many more
of the party would have been enabled to pull
through. Greely's work was remarkable. He
brought our men to places he said he would,
two days before the time fixed, where he had
every reason to expect assistance. He must
have exercised discipline or he never could
have done it. At Cape Sabine, DR.. Pavy and
one of the men came into his tent and insisted
upon an immediate division of the supplies
on hand. He threatened to shoot them on
the spot if they did not go and they went
Every officer of the relief expedition has ex-
pressed admiration for Greely's pluck and
management and if there is any fight about
the matter you may rest assured Greely will
hold his own.