Mower County transcript. [volume] (Lansing, Minn.) 1868-1915, 1889-08-28
PROF. NANSEN'S CONQUEST OF
GREENLAND'S INTERIOR

from it's primary chaotic conditionuhrough
the stages of incandescence. with liquid
nucleus, subsequently congealed sutfi-
ciently to allow water to repose upon
the surface thereby etfecting an almost
universal submerslon, to its present
varied aspects and condition each in
continent, CHASING Greenland
as such has witnessed and experienced
every degree of temperature from the
fervency of the infant orb to the cold
and dazzlingly brilliant mantle of ice
characteristic of the Glacial Epoch and
even to-day on considerable
mental island under consideration.
When we consider Greenland of the
Mesozolc Age when it's inlets were shaded
by proud magnolias, it's hillsides bearing
the nodding pines, while in the rosy
mornings the refreshing dew sparkled
on delicate blossoms and luscious fruits,
the disclosures of Geology are apparently
wholly incompatible with its present
condition nevertheless far beneath the
Ice and snow, within the foundations Of
the eternal hills lies the remnant of
Greenland's previously luxuriant vega
consistency of styling the present
snow mound Greenland" But, alas,
slowly and irreslstibly nature swept away
the decorations from this doomed land.
slowly and surely prepared it as field
for the successful display of Morse intrepid
ity, energy and genius During the Gla-
cical Epoch when the glaciers invaded
the tropics and baffled the persuasive
sunbeams almost to the equator Green
land groaned beneath the superintendent
mass of ice grinding and crunching the
Welding rocks and securing the varied
level to gentle undulations, to- day over
a thousand feet of Jack Frost's product
depresses the yielding land, whose shores
are constantly receeding indicative of a
lower relative level. The reign of ice
was established and gloomily retains its
domination inexorably constant. in
dfferent to continental oscillations
changing the contiguration of the earth's
surface shielding its cold bosom from the
solar heat and sending out its legions to
van4uish the world.
Occasionally the forbidding coast relents
inviting man to make there his domlcile
but sternlY repelling him from the
interior, scattering YaWning CULTS about
his feet, extracting from his benumbed
body its accustomed vigor hurting blind
ing biting myriads of icy fragments again
st him. laying deeply yielding carpet.
,concealing frightful abysses expectantly
adopting every device at disposal calcu
lated to effect the desired result; and success
has crowned it's efforts until now. BaHed
for centuries man has gaZed longingly
at the distant horizon jealousy shielding
the mysteries of the fettered continent,
his lively imagination piqued into activity
| haspeopled this region with beings strange
and grotesque. Norsemen have even
anticipated a reunion with colonies dis
appeared beyoned the rim of ragged
| white.
No tidings came from this silent desola-
ton only ceaselessly around the rugged
shores resounded the crash and groan of
severed fragments Of ice, years previous
| sole occupants of the mysterious interior
but they told no tales to the expectan1
millions. Again and again intrepid
explorers assailed these mighty ramparts
| only to receive a clearer conception
| of the almost insuperable difficulties
| incident to such an endeavor, Failure
has been the oft repeated result con
sequentIy curiosity quickened, conjec-
ture life, and the reward Of victory
enhanced. The generally adopted route
of Artic explorers being Via Bafins Bay
the western coast has accordingly beer
thoroughly explored far towards
the common goal-the North Pole
The preference has been so genera
and decided that comparatively little i
known of the east and extreme north
east coast while nothing reliable ha
been ascertained in regard to the north
ern; therefore to tap the root of th
knowledge desired IN regard to Green
land in general was Prof. Nansen induced
to attempt the solving of the problem
by an expedition Immediately over tn
continent. Those unfamiliar with th.
adverse conditions he would be calle,
upon to grapple with, in this tacitur
climate with heaving seas laden wit
struggling grinding masses of ice, cor
fictlng currents, and winds here general
ed and consequently in their ferces
moods laden with inexhaustible sur
plies of snow or rather commlnuted lc
while even the mobile mercury become
suddenly dolefullY constant. canno
| form just conception of the difficultie
involved in this endeavor.
That portion of the coast apDroache
by Nansen's party of six was efectuall
barrlcaded by syseem of crushin
instruments consisting of restless pack
opening IN long irregular avenues leadin
/ IOWafus LQe SOllQ fringe dLtdCHtu LO III
faces of few projecting rocks or COZ
nected more intimately with the col
tinental flow. Closing again with lo7
portentious rumblings quickly runnin
the scale of volume to terrific pea
or prolonged thunder. Woe to whateve
the contending edges caught With
| their relentless grasp.
On the extreme edge towards the ope
sea large detached masses Wrestled wit
the sullen billows finging their Ion
sinuous bodies around the agitate
mass throwing high the spray and foa1
of conflict.
July found the intrepid party engage
+ in the mighty task. They experienced a
| the incidents which commonly occu
, under these circumst besides sewers
Of unique character particularly whe
the portion Of the flow on which wa
| pitched their tent became detached an
drifted towards an open sea fretted an
agitated by q violent gale, freqnentl
leluglng the party with the icy water. 4
| Thus passed July and portion G
August when the mainland was eventua
" reached after enduring the hardship
and nerils Of over q fort nights strupgl