The Warner sun. (Warner, Brown Co., Dakota [S.D.]) 1885-1???, 1886-05-07
Major Greely,s Experience.

One OF the many wise things done by
Major Greedy during the three years of
his life in the Arctic regions, was his
observance OF all festive, religious and
national holidays. As soon as the
habitation at Fort Conger was finish
ed, he assembled his command of rs
men on Sunday morning, and deliver.
ed a short address on their situation,
and the duties which it suggested.
He said to them, that, although
they were separated from the rest OF
the world, it was most proper and
right that Sunday should be observed
and he informed them that he should
on every Sunday morning publicly
read a selection from the Psalms. He
expected every member of the expedi-
ton to be president unless any one
had conscientious scruples against lis
tenlng to the reading of the Bible.
After the service any parties wishing
to leave the station for hunting or
other recreation should have permits
sion to do so, as such exercise was es-
pecially needed to break the monotony
of their lives.
He then read the psalms appointed
for the twenty. eighth day ofthemonth,
one verse of which reminded them
chow delightful a thing it is for breth-
rem to dwell together in unity" This
text was SO appropriate to their stu
alton that the commander felt inn
PEELED to preach a little sermon upon
it.
He dwelt upon the depressing effect
o. a monotonous life in the darkness
OF an arctic winter. He hoped that
every one would endeavor to avoid
d~lscouraging words and irritating con-
duct, and would endeavorto conciliate
Ind Teconcile any who might get into a
disagreeable controversy.
Every Sunday during their stay,
even when the circumstances were most
disheartening, the commander never
failed to repeat the brief Sunday ser
vice, and to distinguish the day by
some little i~ndulgences or extras in the
matter of diet.
The birthday of each member of the
party was also observed, the man him
self being allowed to choose thedinner,
to which the commander always add
ed some unusual luxury aslong as lux
uries remained.
Such days as the Fourth of July,
Washington's birthday, Decoration
Day, Christmas and Thanksgiving were
celebrated with all the eclat and fes.
tivity which their circumstances per-
mitted. Even the last Thanksgiving,
when the whole party were shut up
for the sunless winter in q miserable
little smoky hut, was honored with
all the means at their command.
They wers living then upon quarter
rations; but the commander thought
it right and best to give the men n
more tolerable meal, perhaps the last
they would ever enjoy. They had been
looking forward TO the day for weeks,
for they were almost mad with hun.
ger whenever they were awake.
Their Thanksgiving feast consisted,
in addition to their usual quarter-ra-
ton, of six pounds OF rice, five pounds
of ~raisins, two pounds each of coffee
and chocolate, a little run and q few
lemons. The psalms of the day were
read, and the banquet was enjoyed
most keenly.
at seemed to me, Major Greedy
says, "that making this q great and
happy day would SO break in on our
wretchedness and misery as to give us
new courage and determination. lam
convinced that the idea was q most
wise one.
To-day we have been almost happy,
and had almost enough to eat. !.
Longs stories and merriment in gen.
eraI, kept us all amused and cheerful
until midnight"
Never was a party of forlorn and
desperate men commanded more ably
or governed more wisely, more ten
Derby, or with more judicial firmness,
than the party which served under
Major Greely.in the Arctic regions.