The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-08-14
PRIVATE HENRYS DEATH.
lieutenant Greedy Tells the Story Of the
0ffense and Its Punishment.

PORTSMOUTH, N. H, Aug I3-Lieutenant
Greedy was seen By an Associated Press reporter
in his cottage, on Seavery's island, this after
noon. 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 during the latter part of
the retreat southwark from Fort Conger. About
Nov. the party began to be served with one
quarter rations, and debilitated health
soon showed the effect of this insufficient
amount of food. The men were not
before this, in as good condition to withstand
the arctic weather as they had been the year
before. About Nov. ], 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. On January "a the party was
near perishlng from -asphyxia, and several of its
members were unconscious. Private Henry,
during this terrible experience, was
seen by one of the Esquimax to steal
some of the bacon from the stores.
lie soon afterwards was taken i'll from overload
his stomach, and vomited up the bacon undi-
gested. An investigation was had and Henry
proved guilty not only of this, but of sew
eral previous thefts. It was a terrible
demanded his death. Over and over again
Henry promised to reform, but this did not still
the clamor for his life. lieutenant Greedy
all quieted. Taking Henry in hand
Lieutenant Greedy represented to him
the immensely of his offense and pointed
out to him the necessity forconcerted action in
the party if all would be saved Henry was
then placed under guard for sew
eral weeks, until the increasing feeble
ness of other members of the party
rendered il necessary for them to avail them
selves of Henry's personal services. Shortly
afterward he stole liquor from the stores
and became intoxicated. Again his com
rades clamored for his life, and again
Lieutenant Greedy restrained them. On June 5
he again stole and carried away some Of the
provisions. Lieutenant Greedy spoke firmly to
Henry, and told him it would be
policy for him TO stop. Said the Lieu
tenant: For Gods sake, Henry, as you
seem to have no moral sense, remember our
lives depend upon our holding together With
great earnestness Henry promised not
to be guilty of theft again. Lieutenant
Greedy felt that he could not trust
Henry. After revolving in his mind their CIR
cumstanees, the Lieutenant, on his own RESPONSE \
bility, issued a written order. now in possession
of one of the survivors, commanding that Henry |
be shot on sight of the commission OF any |
more thefts of food AT this time the party had
left as lastresort, only pieces of seal skin and
such shrimps as theyacould procure.
About june g Henry went to the old winter
quarters at Camp Clay, near Cape Sabine, and
stole some Of the last sealskin, which was the
only food left. He also took the last pair
of boots in store. Being closely questioned by
Lieutenant Greedy he admitted his guilt. He
was again ready with promises to do better, but
his fate was upon him. He was, in the afternoon
of that day, a little distance at the rear
Of the summer quarters, alone by himself. The
writer order for his execution was committed to
three of the party. They were ordered to
shoot him, emcountering as little dan
ger to themselves as possible, as
HnnrU xrne tho acfsaouOocf of tho raptxy Godf1 /
the men departed on their terrible errand.
Their comrades left Ia camp turned their
eyes to the ocean. In a few minutes
the breeze bore to their ears the
silent. Slowly, after a short interval, the
men returned, the written order was
handed to Lieutenant Greedy, and the
HORRIBLE, but necessary, execution was
rades, and his body was understood TO be in
TERED at the foot of the northwest ice foe.
The order for the execution of Henry was
that afternoon read to the survivors, and all
concurred in the justice and necessity Of the act
No report of the manner of his death has ever
been made to Lieutenant Greedy, and the sur
vivors taeitly ignored the terrible remembrance.
So far as reportsof cannibalrsm are concerned,
OF his own knowledge he knows
nothing Of tho kind, and the
viz all Indignantly deny il, If any can
nibalism took place Lieut.. Greedy emphatically
says It WIS Seer6b ana 1Ob nu0lgeu In Dy
the party; but to the best Of his
knowledge there was none. .eWhy, said the
Lieutenant, why did we not allow poor Ellison
to die. if we were so past the line between
human and savages2 Why did we share our
food with him to the last dropg' In
deed, Lieutenant Greelyss logic was unan.
swerable. Lieutenant Greedy says 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, Lieutenant Greedy
said: 's0ften, in talking over what seemed to
be inevitably our fate, tho men an
expressed a wish to be buried on
the verge of the great polar sea.
Out of Difference to the solemn wishes of the
dead, / spoke against the disbursement of the
bodies, and for no other reason. Had / died, /
shou1dh have wished a grave in the north