The Calhoun chronicle. [volume] (Grantsville, W. Va.) 1883-1984, 1896-03-03

making the acquaintance of a YOUNG
captain, fresh from the ice fields,
Among the various experiences de-
tailed by him was an adventure which
occurred on the almost wholly unex-
plored Island of st. Matthew. This
barren spot is long, narrow strip of
land IN the center OF Bering Sea, is
about 40 miles distant from the Alas.
kan mainland, and is Mt least 100
miles from land in any dire ction. It's
location is sixty degrees eighteen min
utes north, and 10 degrees four
minutes east of Greenwich.
1t is now quite four years since n
whaling bark, cruising around here in
search of whales, sighted the island
and sent several boats crews ashore
for supply of fresh water. Little
was known at that time of the island.
beyond that it lies directly in the
course of the whaers homeward bound
from the Arctic, and hence region
to be avoided. The boats landed on n
part of the northern coast near the
eastern end Of the island. Some of
the men began filling the water casks.
and others wandered mp a small stream
flowing down through diminutive
canon to the coast. they had not
gone far, however, when they were
met by large number of polar bears.
These savage brutes, resenting the
intrusion of their domain, at once cot
n move on the jack tars for quite
distance, when all hands turned and
endeayored to hold the monsters at
bay. Shots were fired from revolyers
and large stones hurled from rocky
peaks, but all in vain. Eventually
the men were compelled to take to
their boats and desert the water casks
In due course the whaling bark in
question reached her destination. The
adventure was related, and ut the
same time several bits Of stone.
brought from tho island rs souvenirs
OF the northern seas, were produced
The gentleman into whose hands these
were placed for inspection CHANGED to
he an experienced miner, who immedi-
ntely pronounced tncm to be pieces OF
quartz very rich in gold. Soon the
story spread until 1T became generally
known among the members of tho
whaling fleet, when many IL longing
glance was cast toward the rugged
outlines OF st. Matthew by the shiD's
men returning home from their cruises
in the Arctic.
Thus matters went on till two years
RgJ. A revenue cutter made some
soundiDgs along the northern const of
the treasure island, and found good
anchorage in nine fathoms OF water
But no attempt was nude to explore
tho interior, as the rugged nature OF
the land and the great number OF
polar bears that stalk the miniature
valleys made it an cxtremy dangerous
task. However, il was guessed that
the island has an area OF some 100
square miles. It's length was believed
80 be about thirty miles, with mean
width Of not more than five or six
miles.
The cutter bad scarcely departed
when 81 scaling schooner arrived for
Tho osteusible purpose of putting mon
ashore TO hunt for bears, but i'm reality
TO search for gold a strong hut was
built on the beach not far from tine
anchorage found by the previous craft.
This WIS stocked with provisions sani
Gent for the needs Of live men for n
period Of several months All be.nr
satisfactorily arranged. the schooner
smiled away on her cruise, leaving the
men who were TO search for gold TO
recOunoitre the scene that was TO be
their home for an indefinite time.
What really occurred during The
following months will, perhaps, never
BE- revealed. Tho sole survivor of the
Ill-iGted band had his reason $50 shat
rel by the terrible experience
through which hs passed that lac could
givo no satisfactory account Of what
irausplrc after the vessel had sailed
sway. His rescue happened i'm this
way. A small bark passing down the
coast OF tho island enabled the look
out TO sec white Ha{ floating from
the roof OF hut on the beach. A
boat was at once sent ashore, and
short search revealed man oarricadcd
within the frail structure. He was in
half dcmcnted state, ard now and
Hgain muttered about n lost com
tades. search part was at once
9fganizeGi but althoueN they spent
the greater part Of the dav in fba{,