The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-07-13
POLAR EXPLORATION.
Two Men, Lightly Equipped, Propose to Reach
the North Pole by Land Route.

New YORK, July 12-Colonel Glider, Her
aid representative, will start, this evening, on
an exploring expedition of the unknown regions
to the north of the American continent. He
first goes to New London, Conn, and there will
take passage on the Northern Whaler Era,
Captain Spicer, which will land him at point
on Cumberland inlet whence he hopes By a
bold dash, to reach the most northern latitude
that has yet been touched and, if possible, plant
the American standard on the point geographic
ally known as the north pole Colonel Glider
possesses unique experience to aid him in the
enterprise. His journey with Lieutenant
Schwatka, in search of the relics of the Sir John
FRANKLIN expedition, is a matter of history. He
was also on board the Rodgers when she was de-
stroyed by fire on the north coast of Siberia.
After that disaster. he made his celebrated jour
ney of 900 miles down the river Lena to Irkutsk,
the capital of Siberia During this great tramp,
he formed the notion of reaching the north pole
on foot and it has been with him ever since.
Last night reporter found him making his last
preparations for the voyage.
Eyes, / am pretty nearly fixed for the voy
age" he said, F'and here is Mr. William Grifiths.
the only white man who is to accompany me. We
don't take much along with US. We shall have
Sharr's rifle a few Winchesters, two breech
loading shotguns, and several muzZle loading
guns, and provisions for one year The schooner
Era after leaving New London will touch at
three places, the last one of which will be Kiker
ton, on the north side of Cumberland inlet.
There expect to remain about year, to get a
party of natives to accompany me. as at the time
l arrive they will all be out hunting. But If
am able to make up my party in time. the vessel
will take me across Bafin's bay to some point
on the southern part of Greenland, where
shall be picked up by some Scotch whaler, next
year, from St Johns, N. F.. and carried to
Melville bay or to the Cary islands, near Smith
sound. Or they may land me on the western
coast as high up as they can get. which is about
seventy eight degrees, fifty minutes. If l am
landed there can work my way to Fort Conger
in Lady Franklin bay, and from there make my
dash to the pole on the route laid down by
Lieutenant Lockwood, of the Greedy expedition,
who reached latitude eighty two degrees, nine
minutes, about 936 miles from the pole.
Lockwood could have easily gone 100 miles
further, so Greedy states, if he had had better
return as soon his supplies were exhausted,
and to run no risk. / shall be hampered by no
Instructions / have experience of this kind of
work, too, and have full confidence of being
able to reach a much higher latitude
if / am able to reach FIT Conser Probably the
difficulty will be to make that point But if
could get any where near Cane Sabine by vessel,
/ could cross overland to Cape Lockwood up
Greedy ford, and then would be able to add to
the maps the land TO the immediate northward,
which is believed to exist. but has never been
seen. We propose to live principally on fish and
game we meet with on the journey, but in
of necessity there are many points below the
mouth Of Smith sound where provisions have
been left by previous expeditions. I shall take
two seds--one largo and one small-for myself
and MIR. Grifiths When we can get no further
with the larger one shall 60 with the
smaller. When we are compelled to do so we
shall abandon that-even to the extent of being
without food for several days. if necessary
.And what do you expect to fnd9'
81 shall try to reach the pole. / expect to find
an open sea, to some extent-not navigable sea,
however,