New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-09-24
THE KITE IN PHILADELPHIA.
LIEUTENANT PEARY ASKED ABOUT The
MISSING NERHOEFF.
HIS INTENTION PROBABLY WAS TO STAY ALL

WINTFE-HOPES THAT HE l. STILL ALIVE
pbilodcphia sept 23.-Thc little whaling steamer
Kite with LIcutcnant reary's exploring parry ~,
the Peary relief party board arrived a' "er uo0
t., this city at noon after detention at qlarah'inc'
4 large crowd had assembled, ana the arri'" VI W.
steamer was greeted with much cheering po''' U
pditons have been eminently successful, malhS cA
ceptionally favorable passages without SICKNESS u
storm Of any kind. Robert T.. Peary. the eApolc''
and Professor Angelo Heilprtn, commander Oh inc
lief party expressed their satisfaction WITH VIC ~
sults which have been achieved u cro"us vi o''"
friends fellow scIcpsts Of the Philadelphia Aoaucy
and representatives OF the newspapers many VI
whom steamed down the Dala"are III 'us' ~ "' viz
returning explorers.
Mis-, Verhocn sister Of John NJ. Verhoei, WHO
failed to return with his fellowcxporers being TO
ported dead accompanied the reception committee WIN
her aunt and uncle They discredit the theory that
the missing mlneralogist was accidentally hiioN'
ana nrly believe that he Is even now cAPiorHls "o
interior of Greenland having voluntarily remained De-
hind Lieutenant Pcary himself refused to say any
thing concerning verhochs disappearance, beyond what
has already been mentioned In the dispatches He
denies however that differences existed between MN
sc.f ana the Independent but ambitious he"tuch"n
Other members express ignorance of any trouble pc
tween the two men, or Of Verhoens intention to eN-
plore for himself william Il. Mcehan the botanist
of the relief party said that the search for the
mcmDcr Of both expeditions, nine ESquiinauX and the
shIp's crew we're engaged In IL. Traces Of Nerh0ef
had been found on the sixth day, near a number Of
large crevasscs into which there was every reason 10
believe that he had fallen.
Lieutenant Peary started for Washington this after
noon, where he will remain several days before re-
turning make his report TO the Academy OF Natural
sciences.
In relation to verhocn's disappearance. tie young
fhp A n. wilmington,
Del. and his cousin. II. d. Elliott Of Louisville
held long conference with Lieutcpant Pcary on the
way up the river. What he told them only strength
ened their conviction that the mneraogst Is alive.
Miss Matte ycrhocf. sister Of the missing man,
was not 50 easily satisfied on boarding tsc kite
she walked straight up to where Lieutenant feary
stood on the quarter deck, and asked abruptly :
What have you to tell me about my botherF
Il am sorry he is not on board' began the ex
plorer.
.Is that all YOU can tell me n she interrupted
warmly.
Friends persuaded the anxious girl 10 await more
favorable opportunity for privately questioning the
lieutenant. The latter with tears in his eyes had
already assured Mr. Kegivin and Mr.. Elliott that
lc had done everything IN his power. and rehearsed
the story Of the disappearance and search for Nerhoeh
already told The two relatives questioned other
members of the expedition, but met by consider
able reticcncc due 70 the fact that the stories pub
lished concerning d rupture between Fcary and Yer
hoeH had reached their ears, and that they wished
TO avoid Interference.
VerhoeH's uncle and cousin give their reasons for
supposing him alive the fact that he went away on
a trip for minerals to az Esqllmau Village, saying
that he might gone two days but telling MS irl""
explorers not to be alarmed If he stayed four lie
took with him an axe, a revolver. rfty cartridges
an ollskin suit and compass, apparently preparing
himself for any emergency. THAT lie contemplated
going away said Mr.. keigven. i Judge from the
fact that he asked several Of his fellow-eSporers
before the arrival Of the relief expedition whether or
not a man couId remain the North II he 50 desired
He WAS told by all that snch thing would not BE-
permitted, and that Pcary would force him 10 90
back"
peary himself thinks there is not one chance In
a thousand OF Verhoen being alive. II he Is Dving
however, he communicate with his friends 10y
whaling vessels which visit McCormicks Bay In
November supplies for eighteen months nave berh
left where the lost man can reach them.
lieutenant Peary was asked: Is IT triie that
there were differences between Nerhocr and yourself
1T Is not; were ont and about together several
davs before starting back, and he was perfectly
friendly" -
be your companion northT
expedition started from here that the selection should
moi be known until after We arrived In Gre"nlahh ;
and that carried OUT -,
81 did. aud there WAS no reason why NeIhoen
should be selected, any more than any one else III
the party - .,,. .. ,a,
on other subjects the explorer talks more freely
He SAYS that he could get further north II INC sea
OF Ice was unbrOken. lie Is satisfied that Greenland
Is an island. -, <.,.. .
Langdon Gibson. n native Of Long lsand Cty, was
the last man who saw Vcrhoef alive, ana Miss Vea,
hocf piled him with questions. Gibson wa, one o.
ihe sailors He said 10 a reporter that he had seen
V,rhocf at RObcrtson's Point, and that he had not
enough clothing or food TO last longer thah ie~
DAYS al think he is dead said the sailor though
didn't tell bis sister lie was near the E'qiinauA'
and they Will take care Of him II he Is alive.'