Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-09-24
PEARY'S MISSED NAN.
A Sister Asks the Lieutenant a
Question He Cannot Answer.
DID HE AND vERHOEFF QUARRELp
The Arctic Commander Denies and Iii,
Men Profess Ignorance.
LIFE CHANCES OF THE LOST TXPLORER

PHILADELPHIA, Sept 23-Lieutenant
Peary, the hero of the North Greenland ex'
ploration expedition, is in the city. He
and his party landed from their steamer,
the Kite, Just before noon, where they were
met by q large party Of distinguished citi-
zens
Miss Verhoef, sister of John NJ Ver-
hoeff, who failed to return with his fellow
explorers, being reported dead, accompan-
led the reception committee with her aunt
and uncle. They discredit the theory that
the missing mineralogist was accidentally
killed, and firmly believe that he is even
now exploring the interior of Greenland,
having voluntarily remained behind. Lieu
tenant Peary himself refuses TO say any
thing concerning Verhoeff's disappearance
beyond what has already been mentioned in
the dispatches.
He denies, however. that differences ex-
listed between himself and the independent
but ambitious Kentuckian. Other MEM
bers express ignorance of any trouble be-
tween the two men, or of Verhoeff's inten-
tion to explore for himself William E.
Meehan, the botanist of the relief party,
said that the search for the mineralogist oc-
cupied seven days, and that every member
of both expeditions, nine Eskimos and the
ships crew were engaged In it
Traced to Dangerous Crevasses.
Traces of Verhoeff had been found
on the sixth day near a number of large
crevasses, into which there was every
reason to believe he ha fallen.
In relation to Verhoeff's disappearance.
the young mans uncle, Rev. A. n.
Keigivin, of Wilmington, Del, and his
cousin, H. d. Elliott, of Louisville, held a
long conference with Lieutenant Peary on
the way up the river. What he told them
only strengthened their conviction that the
mineralogist is alive. Miss Matte Yer
hoeff was not so easily satisfied. On board
ing the Kite, she walked straight up to
where Lieutenant Peary stood on the quar-
ter deck and asked abruptly:
"What have you to tell me about my
brother?"
81 am sorry he is not on board" began
the explorer.
rs that all you can tell me?" she inter-
rupted warmly.
Friends persuaded the anxious girl to
await more favorable opportunity for pri-
vately questioning the Lieutenant The
latter, with tears in his eyes, had already
assured Mr.. Keigivin and Mr.. Elliott that
he had done everything in his power, and
rehearsed the story of the disappearance
and search for Verhoeif already told.
Why His Relations Think He Is Alive.
The two relatives questioned other men,
bers of the expedition, but were met by
considerable reticence, due to the fact that
the stories published concerning a rupture
between Pearv ana Verhoeff had reached
their ears, and that they wished to avoid in
reference.
Verhoefi's uncle and cousin gave as their
reasons for supposing him alive the fact
that he went away on a trip for minerals to
an Eskimo village, saying that he might
be gone two days, but telling his fellow ex-
plorers not to be alarmed if he stayed four.
He took with him an ak, colts revolver, 30
cartridges oilskin suit and compass, appar-
emily preparing himself for any emergency.
That he contemplated going away" said
Mr.. Keigivin, 81 Judge from the fact that
he asked several of his fellow explorers be-
fore The arrival of the relief expedition
whether a man could remain at the North if
he so desired. He was :old bv all that such
a thing would not be permitted and that
Peary would force him to go back
fedTY himself InllkS IneTe Is not one
chance in a thousand for Verhoeff being
ative. If he is living, however, the Lieu
tenant declares he can communicate with
his friends by whaling vessels which visit
Mccormick Bay in November. Supplies
for l3 months have been left where the lost
man can reach them.
Peary Denies the Story of a Rupture.
Lieutenant Peary was asked SIS it true
k1o. -.
hoeff and yourself?''
at is not. We were out in a boat to-
gether for several days before starting back,
and he was quite friendly"
SIS it true that he gave s., 900 toward the
expenses of your expedition on the under
standing that he was to be your companion
north?"
''It is not true. 1t was understood before
our expedition started from here that the
selection should not be known until after
we arrived in Greenland, and that was car
ried OUT
You had tine selection of your own COM
panions?''
81 did, and there was no reason why Ver-
hoef should be selected any more than any
one in the party
more freely. He says he could get further
north if the sea of ice was unbroken. He is
satisfied that Greenland is an island.
Langdon Gibson, native of Long Island
City, was the last man vino saw Verhoeff
alive, and Miss Verhoef piled him with
questions. Gibson was one of the sailors
lie said to a reporter that he had seen Yer
hoeff at Robertson's Point, and that he had
not enOngh clothing or food to last longer
than few days
Il think he is dead said the sailor,
though did not tell his sister. He was
right near the Eskimos, and they will take
care of him if he is alive"