Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1892-09-24

PHILADELPHIA, September 2S.-The little
steamer Kite with Lieutenant Peary's ex-
ploring party and the Peary relief party on
board, arrived at her dock in this city at
noon. A large crowd assem- bled and the
steamer was greeted with much cheering.
AS already reported in these dispatches,
sent by members Of the two parties from
St, Johns, N B., both expeditions nave
been eminently successful, making excep-
tionally favorable passages without SICK
ness or storm Of any kind. Lieutenant
Robert E. Peary, the explorer, and Prol:
Angelo Heilprin, commander Of the rellef
party, expressed their satisfaction with the
results which have been achieved 10
crowds of their friends, fellow scientists OF
the Philadelphia Academy and represent
atives of the newspapers, many OF whom
steamed down the Delaware in tugs 70
meet the returning explorers.
II was IL 80 o'clock when the dock was
reached and an anxious throng OF waiting
relatives and friends of the members OF
both parties at once swarmed over the
decks. A reception committee from tne
Academy was already on board, having
met the Kite some miles below the city.
THE ONE MISSING MAN.
Miss Verhoeff, sister of John M. Yer
hoeff who failed to return with his fellow
explorers, being reported dead, accompa-
MED 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.
Lieutenant Peary himself refuses TO say
ANYTHING concerning Verhoeh's disappear
ance beyond what has already been men
toned in the dispatches. He denies, how
ever. that differences existed between him
self and the independent and ambitious
Kentuckian. Other members express ig-
norance Of any trouble between the two
men, or of Verhoeff's intention TO explore
for himself.
VIM. E. Meehan, the botanist of the re-
lief party, said that the search for the
mineralogist occupied seven DAYS, and tnat
every member of both expeditions, nine
Esouimaux and the ships crew were en-
gagged in it. Traces Of Verhoef had been
found on the sixth day, near NUMBER OF
large crevasses into which there was every
reason TO believe he had fallen.
Verhoefl's uncle and cousin give as their
reasons fot supposing him alive, the TACT
that he went away on trip for minerals 70
an Esuuimaux village, saying that he
might be gone for two days but telling his
fellow explorers not to be alarmed II he
STAYED four. He took with him an ak,
Colts revolvers, fifty cartridges, oil skin
suit and compass, apparently preparing
himself for any emergency.
DID HE MEAN TO STAY.
"That he contemplated going away"
said Mr.. Keiglvin, II Judge from the fact
that he asked several of his fellows before
the arrival of the relief expedition whether
a man could remain at the north If he so
desired. He was told by all that such
thing would not be permitted, and that
Peary would force him to go back"
Peary himself thinks there is not one
chance in thousand for Verhoef being
alive. If he is living, however the Lieu
tenant declares he can communicate with
his friends by whaling vessels, which visit
McCormick's Bay in November. Supplies
for eighteen months have been left where
the lost man can reach them.
But little information could be gained
from Lieut.. Peary, Mrs. Peary, or any OF
the members of the expedition in regard to
the scientific results Of their journey.
Lieut.. Peary and his wife are both under
contract to New York papers to give them
first results. Being asked OF the success
of the expedition Lieut.. Peary said that
he had accomplished all he set out TO do.
Miss Verhoef, in speaking OF her inter
view with Lieut.. Peary this afternoon,
said: "Our interview was very unsatisfac-
tory, and haveno hesitation in saying so;
It only additionally confirmed my belief
that my brother is alive. l hold that he
was contemptibly used.
"He contributed $1,000 TO accompany
this great expedition, after having trained
himself for it for years. And when the
expedltion-%hich was the trip across the
inland ice cap and nothing else-began, he
was left behind