Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-19

Rear Admiral Nichols acting secretary OF
the navy, and Gen Hazen, chief signal Off
Ger, had conference, Friday, at which it
was concluded To order Commander Schley
10 bring the survivors Of the Greedy party
from 81. Johns to Portland Me, where they
can remain until better prepared to stand the
change ot climate. Their families can join
them at Portland if so desired The vessels
Of the expedition will remain at st. Johns for
several days.
ST. JOINS, y. F., July Is
From Norman, the ice pilot of the Thetis.
who Was first to enter Greely's camp, the
following graphic report has been ELECTED
At o clock on the evening Of the 22d of
June, having found record, previously.
three miles north Of Cape Sabine, We pro-
ceeded IN the steam launch To the spot indi-
Gated as the camping ground of the Greedy
party, As We appeared within two wards OF
the shore we saw a man staggering down the
hillside toward the ice fort. He held a small
flag in his hand attached to which was a piece
OF handkerchief This he waved teebly.
As soon as the steam launch struck the shore
Capt. Ash OF the Bear and myself Jumped on
shore. The man proved to be Long one of
the Greedy party. He wore 4 haggard, CHASTITY
look, and was scarcely able To stand. He
muttered out his words. We asked him how
seven of Us left" | ran up Immediately to
the place where he pointed out the camp.
Capt. Ash ahd Lieut. Calwell, went back to
the launch to bring some pemmican, bis
cults, ard some stimulating drink when |
reached within q few wards of the tent | cried
out, Cheer up, Grecly." "Is that YOU Nor
MANI" family replied Lieut.. Greedy, who
knew my voice, although three years had
passed since bade him farewell in the Pro
teus in Lady Franklin sound \ fierce storm
was blowing and the tent had fallen on its
wrcched occupants. | cut and tore il open
and there saw, with horror, the pale schriv-
ellod form Of Greedy, lying in the middle of
the camp, encased in bis sleeping tag, and
Ellison with his hands and feet Topped of
by frost since the first of the previous year.
Biederback lay down ljstlessly in front Of
Greely. Counell. pointed at by his comrades
As dying, was reclining in motionl,Ss pos
ture on Greely. Brainard lay down alone
under shelter, and was separated to the eve
from his companions in misfortune. Imme-
diately Capt Ash, Lieut.. Calwell aud the
chief engineer arrived and at once began
to administer small doses of food of the
lightest description. The men at first were
raverOus and loudly insisted on getting more
food. We refused to crafty their wishes
fearing disastrous results from over eating
The launch was dispatched TO the steamer
and brought on shore to our assistance Drs
Ames and Greene and Commander Schlev
Preparations were at once made to convey
the party on board. All records were gath
up and everything worth saving carried down
to the launch. We left nothing behind but
some clothing and a few cans of the wretched
food on which Greedy and his men had been
living for weeks. This consisted chiefly of
scraps of seal skin cut up in small pieces
about the size of a cent. 1t had been stewed
and converted into kind Of broth with some
shrmps and sea weed. This repulsive stew
formed the sole diet of Greedy and his unfort-
innate companions
Commonder Schlev has received instruc-
tons from the secretary of the navy to re-
main at st. Johns until there are ~ iron
caskets constructed TO receive the bodies of
the dead explorers. The survivors are all
doing we'll, but still are weak and suffering
from nervous prOstrstiOn. Lieut. Greelv has
improved from 100 pounds. Sergeant Brain
ard and others are improving proportionately.
The weather here is delightful and all that
could be desired tor the sufferers, the ther-
mometer ranging between 65 and 75. Great
sympathy is evinced with the survivors and
dead and every token of respect is manifested
towards them. The stately ships, the Bear
and Thetis, as they ride quietly at anchor in
the harbor of St. Johns. wear sOmbre and
nrounful appearance with their flags flying
at half-mast.
The L. S. war ship Alert arrived at eight
this evening. She was 80 hours overdue.
which fact caused much anxiety. Her de-
tention was caused by fog and search for the
remaining ships of the squadron.
Sergeant Long of the Greey party. who
was the first to respond 10 the welcome tone
of the steam whistle, states that he and Ser
geant Braiusrd were the first to hear the
sound and they mutually helped each
other to crawl out of the tent.
When Sergeant Long got clear OF
the ENHANCEMENT of the tent which had been
swept to the ground. he got to his feet with
great difficulty and succeeded in clamboring
up to the rock that gave the most extensive
view in that neighborhOod. Brainsrd went
back to the tent. but Lung remained looking
out searchingly in every direction for some
strange object. At length he saw an IN
wonted sight-a large black object about
mile distant which at first looked like rock,
hut he knew there was no rvck in that line
Suddenly, the approaching steam launch
altered ts course and Long recognized the
approach of the rescuers. He came down
from the rock. went toward the camp, raised
the nag pole anu nag Nhlcu uaa oeth oioNu
down in the gale and held il for about two
minutes till his strength gave way and it was
blown once mere to the ground. He then
totteringly advanced in the direction Of the
little steamer. and in a few minutes the warm
hand of Capt. Ash had grasped his in vel
come.
Maurice Connell, who is still excessively
weak. stated in al interview that for some
davs after the rescue he had no memory of
ANYTHING that trSnspired. He did not hear
the awakening scream of the steam whistle.
When his comrades shook him up from his
PROSTATE position in the camp and told him
Of the succor at hand, he wildly exclaimed /:
"For Gods sake, let me die in peace" A
teaspoonful of brandy applied to his lips
called back the fieeiing life spark, for Connell
could not have survived more than few
hours. He was by far the weakest of the