The morning call., 1892-12-30
WAS WITH DELONG
The Chinese Survivor of
the Jeannette.
He Intends to Relate His Experience
in Lectures at the Coming
Worlds Fair.

Charley" All Chong, the Chinese Arctic
explorer, and the only Mongolian who ever
received medal from the United States
for bravery, is stopping at a Chinese lodg-
| ing-house on Washington street.
His home is in Portland, Or, but he is
here on business trip. The fact Of the
matter is that he regards himself as a
drawing freak for a dime museum. and is
looking for manager to take him 70 the
Worlds FAN at Chicago.
/ Charley is one of the few survivors of the
disastrous Jeanette expedition, and for
meritOrious conduct during the terrible
priyations suffered in Northern Siberia has
recently been decorated by Congress with a
handsome gold medal.
While he exhibits the badge With no
little pride he does not like TO talk of that
terrible tramp through the ice-fields of
Siberia that cost so many men their lives.
When questioned about it he simply shrugs
his shoulders and says:
'Plenty cold; plenty hungry. No good. 4"
1t was 10 June, 1879, that Lieutenant de
long selected Charley TO accompany the
ill-fated expedition as cook. Charley had a
good situation as cook In a private family
in this city at the time, but the offer Of a
much better salary tempted him.
His commander carefully explained the
deadly periis TO which he would be ex-
posed, but he could not comprehend the
real nature Of the expedition. He consid-
cred 1t sort OF government picnic party
and thought he would have q soft berth.
/ ME heap big fool, alice same Melicans,"
be said Yesterday when asked why be had
accepted the position. Mex time catchee
'noda Chinaman. Me heap sabe. TOO
| muchee ice> too muches snow: too muchee
heap - cold; too much no Club; hungly
alice time; too much work likee horse. No
likee. White men get heap Clay an fight
/ alice time for Club. Plenty alice time
when | eat say: 'Killee = Chinamau =
Heap fiaId."
| Theu he explained in his "p;dgin Eng
| lish" how his foresight had materially as
sisted hls famishlng comrades back 10 civil
lZaiion. When the Jeanette was crushed
In the Ice he saw the seamen loading all the
stores they could carry into the boats and
realized that weeks Of famishing hunger
were ahead. without saying q word to
any one be concealed about ten pounds of
canned goods about his clothing.
Charley was assigned 10 Engineer Mel
v1lle's boat and TOOK bis place at the oars
until they were compelled to desert their
boat. In addition TO carrying his little
store OF provisions, be helped draw the
sledges during the long tramp over the ice
fields south to lrkutsk.
The supply of provisions were rapidly
being exhausted aad Oniy enough to sustain
life were given out each day still Charley
did not touch those he carried. 1t was then
that threats were made against the life OF
the Chinese cook. and often he was on the
point Of bartering his supplies for his life,
for he feared that he would be murderer d
some night for the sake OF his scanty allow
ance of food.
Finally the little band were left without a
morsel with which to sustain their lives,
and starvation was staring them In the face
Then il was, according to Charley's story.
tha. he placed his little stock of provisions
10 the hands Of his commander. The men
who had before threatened him then blessed
him and all said ''Bully good man; bes'
fellow in clowd. No die now
| With these provisions the party was en-
abled TO reach the Northern Russian
settlements, where the half-famished men
were supplied with food By the natives.
Charley is fat and sleek now, but he
spends great deal Of his time medtating
on the days when he expected either TO be
starved or murdered.
lt was only a few weeks ago that he re-
eeived the handsome gold medal voted him
oy Congress fox valuable services rendered
aud merltoriOus conduct" upon the jean
nette expedition.
Some OF Charley's white friends In Port.
land have told him that he could make a
f0rtuue II he could secure good manager
who could arrange Series of lectures to be
delivered by him at the coming Worlds
Fair upon his experiences while in the
search OF the north pole. He is now look
ing Tor some one who can make the proper
arrangements and write a series of lectures
suited to his knowledge of English and
style OF dellyery