Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1896-03-06

XMEHIRH-H ouuubcrcu QOWn TO
EpsES.susn the water front to
f inspect them. Later
on III the afternoon was fortunate in
making the acquaintance of u young
captain, fresh from tho 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
barron spot is o long, narrow strip of
land in the center of Boring Sea, is
about lao miles distant from the Alas.
kan mainland, and is Mt least 100
miles from land in any direction. It's
location is sixty degrees eighteen min
utes north, and ITO degrees four
minuteseeast of Greenwich.
1t is now quito four years since n
whaling bark, cruising around hero in
search of whales, sighted tho island
and cent several boats crews ashore
for q supply of fresh water. Little
was known at that time of tho island.
beyond that 1t lies directly in the
course of the whalers homeward bound
from the Arctic, and hence a region
to be avoided. Tho boats landed on
part Of the northern coast near the
eastern end oSthe island. Some of
the men began filling the water casks,
and Others wandered up q small stream
flowing down through n diminutive
caRasx TO the coast. They had not
1SSAe far, however, when they we're
met By large number of polar bears.
These savage brutes, resenting the
intrusion of their domain, ut once got
move" on the Jack tnrs for quito n
distance, when all hands turned and
endeayored to hold tho monsters Mt
bay. Shots were fred from revolyers
and largo 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 tho whaling bark in
question reached her destination. The
adventure was related, and ut the
Same time several bits of stone.
brought from the island rs souvenirs
OF the northern 6eas, were produced.
The gentleman into whose hands these
were placed for inspection CHANGED to
be an experienced miner, who immedi.
ately pronounced them to be pieces of
quartz very rich in gold. Soon the
story spread until it became generally
known among the members of the
whaling fleet, when many longing
glance was cast toward the rugged
outlines OF st. Matthew by the ship's
men returning homo from their cruises
in the Arctic.
Thus matters went on till two wears
ago. A revenue cutter mnde somo
soundngs along the northern coast of
the treasure island, and found good
anchorage in nine fathoms of water.
But no attempt was made to explore
the interior, as the rugged nature of
the land and tho great number of
polar bears that stalk the miniature
valleys made it an extremy dangerous
task: However, it was guessed that
the island has an area of some 1GO
square miles. Its length was believed
to be about thirty miles, with mean
width of not moro than five or siy
miles.
The cutter had scarcely Departed
when sealing schooner arrived for
tho ostensible purpose of putting men
ashore to hunt for bears, but in reality
to search for gold. A strong hut was
built on tho beach not far from the
anchorage found by the previous craft.
This was stocked with provisions sufii.
Client for the needs of five men for n
period OF several months. All being
satisfactorily arranged. the schooner
sailed away on her cruise, leaving the
men who were to search for gold to
reconnoitre the scene that was to be
their home for On indefinite time.
What really occurred during the
following months will, perhaps, never
be revealed. The sole survivor of the
Inflated band had his reason 40 shat.
tered by the terrible experience
through which he passed that he could
give no satisfactory account of what
transplred after the vessel had sailed
away. His rescue happened in this
way: a small bark passing down the
coast OF the island enabled the look.
out to sec white flag floating from
the roof of hut on the beach. A
boat was at once sent ashore. and
snort search revealed a man barricaded
within the frail structure. He was in
half demented state, and now and
'eoAeu auouI MS lost COM
rades. a search party was at once
organized, but although they spent
the greater part of the day in their
quest, no trace of tho missing men
could lie found. At length the sick
man was taken on board and the yes.
sci passed on to her destination.
In the course of a few days tho in.
valid 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 dis.
covered their presence and swarmed
ABOUT the hut in such numbers that
the iives OF the inmates were in con-
stant peril. Now and again a fire was
KEPT up, but the beast seemed to in.
crease rather than diminish in number.
Gxeeptlpg quick journeys to the water