St. Johnsbury Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1867-1919, 1897-07-02
WASHINGTON LETTER.
Lieutenant Peary Talks of His Plans.
for the Future.
sunstroke Statistics Colonel Mosby Wants an
Office Consular Appointments - Stations
on Maine Coast, Etc.
Especial to the CALIFORNIAN

with the prospect that the tariff bill
will soon become law In some shape or
other. news Of national Importance
does not seem to be plentiful. Local
gossip, however, Is not dull While over
TO the coast and geodetic survey bureau
the other day, noticed that the location
NJ several stations have been decided
upon for Maine. They are:
Perkins island, about az miles by water
below the ferry wharf at Bath and near
" opposite Phippsburg Centre.
Squirrel point, on the left bank of the
river. about three miles below the ferry
at Bath
Doubling point, No. 2, on the left bank
of the river, about 2h miles below the
ferry at Bath.
Ram island. in about the middle Of the
river. and about six miles below the ferry
at Bath.
These stations, 1t will be observed, all
are to be located in or about Bath, on
the Kennebec, and will include eight
towers and yelling houses, similar to the
ones recently erected on Spectacle island
In Boston harbor. When these stations
shall have been established, the Kenne-
bee river, in the vicinity of Bath, will
have become much less dangerous than
1t Is at present, and captains of vessels
will have much less difficulty in reaching
the city either by day or night.
In talking with the commissioner Of
fro;, J,a nth Iap 7
prsed at one thing he told me. He says
that the desire Of the Sioux Indians to
erect a monument to their warriors who
participated in the battle of Wounded
Knee Is intense. Just what action will
be taken by the secretary of the interior.
under whose jurisdiction this matter
comes, no one knows, though many vet
Grams of the Infian service think II
would be just to the Indians. in view of
the extenuating circumstances of the
fight, and as simple token Of recogni-
ton Of the valor of the tribe. No similar
issue has been raised before, so far as
the authorities here can recall, though
such marks of commemoration as stones
etc. have been placed on battlefield
to represent the marches of some Of the
Indian leaders. The attempt to raise G
substantial shaft on lines of the gov
eminent monuments already erected
is an idea new In Indian history and IL
taken TO indicate greater civilization
among the Indians.
Civil Engineer Peary of the navy, who
has been granted five years leave Of alb.
sence to prosecute scientific investiga'
ton in the Arctic regions. 1t now on 6
visit to this city with Mrs. Peary ant
daughter preparatory to his visit to the
frozen north. According to his present
plans, he will leave Boston, on July 10
for Newfoundland, where he will MAKE
arrangements for a vessel to carry hin
and his party as far as Whale sound
Lieutenant Peary tells me, he is, conf
dent of being able to reach the goal o
his efforts this time. He intends to es
tablish base of supplies in the neighbor
hood Of Independence bay. He will bu
a vessel and load 1t with concentrate
provisions. The crew will be the small
est which can work the ship, and ever
effort will be made to have the expedi
tion as compactly equipped as possible.
The expedition will proceed to Robin
son channel and Sherard Osborne Fort
From there when the ice is firm tn
supplies will Be carried forward in sled
and buried along the route, in reserve fo
their return. Lieutenant Peary's plan
to take a number of natives and theI
families with him. They will establis
villages on the way, 20 miles apart.
Lieutenant Peary expects to reach tn
S5th parallel with comparatively littl
difficulty. Then he will make fint
attempt to reach the north pole. In cas-
of failure there will be retreat and ar
other attempt the following year.
has had scores of applications from me
and women who desire to accompan
the expedition.