The state herald. (Holyoke, Logan County, Colo.) 1887-1921, 1895-09-27
PEARY'S SAFE RETURN.
HE HAD SEVERE EXPERIENCES.
Himself and Two Companions Nearly
Starved In the North Land-Nothing
Important Discovered.

Himself and Two Companions Nearly
Starved In the North Land-Nothing
Important Discovered.
St Johns, N. r., Sept. 22.-The Peary
relief steamer Kite has arrived here
with Lieutenant Peary and his compan-
ions from Greenland on board.
When the Kite reached Whale sound
on August 8, Lieutenant Peary, Hugh
]. Lee and their colored servant, Matt
Henson, were found waiting for 1t.
The party had only ten days previously
returned from their great overland ex-
petition which had proved compare
tive failure. Lieutenant Peary and the
other two started late In March and
made their way TO Independence bay,
which Is the most northerly point OF
Greenland, which he had reached on his
previous expedition. Independence
bay was reached early in the month of
June, but there Were not enough men In
the party to accomplish any bold adven-
ture. They were further deferred from
any great undertakings by the INSULT
cheney of their food supply, an obstacle
which was foreseen last year. All
three Of those who participated In the
journey were greatly reduced from the
lack of food, and were obliged TO aban-
don the attempt to make further prog
ress. In this respect this years work
was but repetition of last years fall
ure, although the weather experienced
was much much more favorable this
year than last Nearly all the dogs that
were taken on the expedition died and
the remainder had to be shot because of
the lack Of food for them.
The Kite experienced splendid wealth
er in the north and started, to explore
the west side of Smith sound. after pick
Ing up Lieutenant Peary and his COM
panions, and discovered many new har-
bors. She traversed the whole coast.
visiting Jones' sound. Cape Sabine and
Littleton island. Perhaps the most i'm
portant discovery of this trip was two
meteorites of large size and almost of
pure iron which We're taken on board
the Kite. A meteorite weighing about
forty tons was found. but II was impos-
sible to bring 1t home. Many sensa-
uonal stories are current among the
crew OF the Kite rs to the cNtrcmiticS
which Peary, Lee and Henson Were re-
duced by hunger. Adding to these
stories which the explorers refuse 10
either confirm or deny, they were al
most starved and We're forced to eat seal
meat and other refuse In order To pre-
serve their lives. Peary and his com
panions have but little TO say In regard
to their experiences. The overland eX-
petition TO Independence bay, il Is
learned. was not only rs unsatisfactory
as had been anticipated. but came very
near resulting fatally 10 Peary and the
other two.
They started late In March on this
journey, and after reaching lndepend-
ence bay We're unable 10 proceed more
than few miles along the coast just
beyond their former stopping place.
They reached the top of mountain and
were unable to proceed further on ac-
count of the precipitous nature OF the de-
scent. During the trip an unexpected
contingency arose. owing the the fact
that Lieutenant Peary was unable TO
locate his cache of last year. He was
unable to discover any marks ind ting
II, and was compelled 10 continue his
Journey without the ample food supplies
which he had rcckOned on. The three
lff went 1T
once on short rations. outstanding As
much food Us possible, but before many
days their sufferlngs became intense
and Lee broke down altogether. The
strain had been so great on him that II
beanie necessary TO place him on n
sledge, which the other two drew.
His Illness gave further cause for
alarm because OF the fact that adequate
medical supplies We're not on hand and
II was feared during the first stages that
he would die from exhaustion. But he
f ves 70 the ssSIinA y ,hEff e kl AsAtr
en-, but during the journey they had TO
sacrifice the weaker dogs and feed the
flesh 10 the others, for II was necessary
TO sustain some OF the animals as long
as possible 10 enable their supplies and
instruments to be brought along. out
OF the slxty-nine dogs which started
only one returned alive and all five
sledges were abandoned during the two
days Just prior TO the return of the par
~ to Anniversary Lodge Their safe re-
turn they look upon as almost miracle,
as during those two last days hardly a
particle OF food passed the mouths Of any
OF them, aud the struggle TO reach their
home was one Of eyer-increaslng suffer.
Ing. When the relief expedition reached
Anniversary Lodge the Peary party
were showing marked evidences OF their
terrible experiences.
Lieutenant Peary was extremely non.
committal In regard To the expedition
generally and all OF the party declined
to express an opinion on the work done.
nor would they state what new dlscoy.
afta Ian IL.