The San Francisco call., 1896-03-02
His Friends Say He Deserted the
:Peary Party for Reasons
of His Own.
AN ENTHUSIASTIC EXPLORER
II Is Believed He Made His Way Over
the Ice and Found the
North Pole.

Is the credit of the discovery of the
north pole due the Danish explorer, Nan
sen, or is the real discoverer an American
and former San Francisco boy named
Verhoeff?-
This is the question that is being mooted
by the Eastern press, and the latter propo-
sition is being vigorously urged by the
relatives of John NJ. Verhoeff, who left
San Francisco in 1891 to join the Peary ex-
petition to the northwestern coast Of
Greenland, from which he has never re-
turned.
In March, 1891. Verhoeff first conceived
the idea of joining Peary. He was then
In this City, where he had host offriends.
He was q member of the Olympic Club,
and was remarked among his ASSOCIATES
for determined, sturdy character, coupled
with restless energy and great powers OF
endurance. He was a graduate OF Yale,
where he had made specially of miner
alogy.
These qualities were such as to naturally
inspire love for adventure and SCIENTIFIC
Investigation, and the fact that he was
possessed of some means left the fulfill
ment OF his desires lacking only in favor
able opportunity. This he believed to be
furnished IN the Peary expedition, and ac-
cordiugiy he entered into correspondence
with Lieutenant Peary.
His unusual qualifications and his will
Hngness to contribute financial aid TO the
enterprise secured for him the coveted
berth on board the northward- bound yes
sci. He WAS accorded the position OF min
eralogist. and the satisfaction with which
he occupied this post is attested by sew
eral letters OF keenest appreciation written
in regard to him bv Lieutenant Peary.
D,f. 1oo- Il -lokaa ION Nor-
h0eff inquired If there would be any OBJ
lection to any OF the members remaining
when the Kite, Peary's vessei, returned.
He was informed that there would be de-
Cided objection. I&at is the last he ever
said about The matter, put members OF The
party rec0llect that he was constantly TAX
ing extraordinary measures to inure him
self to the cold and other conditions OF
Arctic life. On one occasion, apparently
for mere sport, he jumped from the vessel
side id swan some distance through the
icy water. He embraced every oppor-
tunity to live with the natives, aud he so
= far accustomed himself to the habits of the
EsduimauX that he could subSist on the
seanty fare " ich constituted their daily
diet. Lieutenant Peary declared him TO
have been the hardest worker on the ex-
uedition, and there was no enterprise too
labOrous or too hazardous for him to join
eagerly.
Ihls desire or MS 10 pe party TO all en-
-terprises is said to have cccasioned some
hard feeling between him and Lieutenant
Peary. On May 8, 1892, the latter conduct ed
an expedition TO the Inland ice, trip that
promised much of interest and adventure.
Terhoeff was anxious to go, but for some
reason. Peary did not see fit TO take him,
and this is supposed TO have sealed the
young mans S determination TO do some in
dependent investigating.
In sri+o of Ne-bOpftS < cbaCrlO If SuCh II
WIS, be worked faithfully and obediently,
and in August he was chosen to accom-
pany Lieutenant and Mrs. Pearv to the
head of Ing.eieid Gulf. where Mrs. Peary
was TO spend the winter.
= The last time that John Verheoff was