The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-01-05
WELL-GUARDED GOLD
A DEATH-TRAP TREASURE ISLAND
IN BERINa SEA.
Fierce Monsters That Have Deficd
Prospectors-Terribl Stories OF
Survivors Of Expeditions.
Boston Transcript.

Is quite true. Twice within the past two
years the island OF St. Matthew has come
forcibiy to my notice. The first time was ia
July or August. 1893. in San Francisco.
Learning that the whalers were coming in
from their lengthy cruises. / sauntered
down to the water front TO inspect them.
Later on In the afternoon / was fortunate
in making the acquaintance OF a young
captain, fresh from the ice fields. Among
the various experiences detailed by him was
an adventure which occurred on the almost
wholly unexplored island OF st. Matthew.
This barren spot is long. narrow strip OF
land in the center of Boring sea, is about
40 miles distant from the Alaskan main
land. and is at least one hundred miles from
land in any direction. Its location is 60
degrees IS minutes north. and 40 degrees
minutes east OF Greenwich.
1t is now quite four years ago since a
whaling bark. cruising around here in
search of whale. sighted the island and sen.
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 whalers homeward bound
from the Arctic. and hence a region to be
avoided. The boats landed on a part
II
end OF the island Some of the men
began filling the water casks. and
others wandered up a small stream
flowing down through a diminutive canyon
TO the coast. They hadsnot gone far how
ever, when they were met by large num-
resenting the intrusion of their domain, at
once got move" on the Jack tars for
quite distance. when all hands turned and
endeavored to hold the monsters at bay.
and 1or
stones hurled from rocky peaks, but all in
vSin. Eventually the men were compelled
to take to their boats and desert the water
casks.
In due course the whaling bark In ques-
ton reached her destination. The adventure
was related, and at the same time several
bits OF stone, brought from the island as
souvenirs OF the northern seas, were pro-
duced. The gentleman into whose hands
these were placed for inspection CHANGED
to be an experienced miner, who Immediate
ly pronounced them to be pieces of quartz
very rich in gold. Soon the story spread
until il became generally known among
many a longing glance was cast toward
the rugged outlines Of st. Matthew by the
ships men returning home from their
cruises in the Arctic.
A DISASTROUS EXPEDITION.
Thus. matters went on till two years ago.
A revenue cutter made some soundings
along the northern coast of the treasure
fathoms of water. But no attempt was made
to explore the interior, the rugged nature
of the land and the great number of polar
bears that stalk the miniature valleys made
it an extremely dangerous task. However,
1t was guessed that the island has an area
of some 16O square miles. Its length was
believed TO be about thirty miles. with
mean width of not more than five or six
miles
The cutter had scarcely departed when a
sealing schooner arrived for the ostensible
purpose of putting men ashore to hunt for
bears, but in reality 10 search for gold.
strong hut was built on the beach not far
from the anchorage found by the previous
craft. This was stocked with provisions
sufficient for the needs of five men for a
period Of several months. All being salts
factorily arranged, the schooner sailed
away on her cruise, leaving the men who
were to search for gold TO reconnoi.re the
scene that was to be their home for an in
definite time.
What really occurred during the follow
ing months will perhaps never be revealed.
The sole survivor of the Inflated band had
his reason so shattered by the terrible ex-
perience through which he passed that he
could give no satisfactory account of what
transpired after the vessel had sailed away.
His rescue happened in this way: A small
bark passing down to the coast OF the
island enabled the lookout to see white
flag floating from the roof OF the hut on
the beach. A boat was at once sent ashore.
and a short search revealed the man Darri-
caded within the frail structure. He was
In half demented state, and now ana then
muttered about his lost comrades. A search
party was at once organized, but, although
they spent the greater part or the day in
their quest, no trace OF the missing men
could be found. At length the sick man was
taken on board and the vessel passed on 10
her destination.
In the course of a few days the invalid
recovered somewhat and told his story
Soon after the departure of the vessel
which had brought him and his comrades
to the island the bears discovered their
such numbers that the lives of the inmates
were in constant peril. Now and again a fire
was kept up. but the beasts seemed to in
crease rather than diminish in number Ex-
cepting quick Journeys to the water course
near by they were kept close prisoners for
seven or eight days. The uncertainty and
confinement at length became unbearabe
Four of the prospectors decided, come what
might, to start up the valleys, leaving one
OF their number to guard the provisions in
the cabin. They set out at dawn one MORN
ing and returned in the evening with manv
quartz specimens incruSted with visible gold.
Elated with success, they started out again
the next day, but never came back. That
was the last ever seen or heard of them.
For two and a half months the solitary
prospector was. in the main. imprisoned in
his hut by his four-footed foes. and the ter
rible experience, together with the mystery
surrounding the fate OF his comrades, told
on his mind to such an extent that when
found and rescued his reason had almost
deserted him.
But there is still later intelligence OF an
other fatal trip About the middle of Feb
ruary this year a small schooner sailed
from San Francisco, carrying. besides her
crew, a band of eight men. They had with
them the necessary provisions for several
months. a plentiful supply of arms and
ammunition and all the needed parapher-
MALTA for gold hunting. and, more, the nee
essary timber Cor tie erection of strong
hut Thus equipped they looked forward
with impatience. until al length one bright
morning they sighted the island. and later
went ashore. The vessel. having deposited
her living and other freight, set sail and
departed. the captain promising TO call upon
them on his return.
No time was lost. The men at once went
about their respective duties and before
shutdown a strong cabin stood in the shelter
of a massive, rugged rock. Casks were
then filled to overlooking and a large fire
erected hard by the door of the hut. BY
nightfall all was in readiness. ard the
hunters, sitting down to the evening meal,
awaited the coming of the enemy.
A TERRIBLE EXPERIENCE.
They were greeted sooner than they antic-
ipated. For very soon the hillside and the
lower slope appeared to be alive with num-
bers of strange, ghostly things. At present
the fame of the fire was holding them at
bay, but IT could not do SO much longer,
owing to the scarcity of fuel. The hunt
ers. realizing this unfortunate circumstance,
took up their rifles and banged at every
object in the shape OF a Polar bear. But
il could not last The fire went out, and