Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1898-08-13
FROM The ARTIC REGION.


From the Charleston QlI.) Herald.
One of our citizens has had for
warded to him from Washington. d.
c., letters from his brother that we
think will prove of general inter est.
They are headed 'sWellman Polar Ex-
petition" Quirof Harlan, Physicist
and photographer, Hotel Norden,
Tromso, Norway June II. 1898.
My DEAR MOTHER:
L have been here ten days-am well.
We are now preparing the ship so
that we can leave here in ten or
twelve DAYS. Wellman and Baldwin
came on Saturday. Before they came
[ was quite alone here and could not
get any satisfaction from converse
ton with the people l had to associ-
ate with.
We are surrounded by snow capped
mountains and foaming fjoIds, and
have the sun shining at midnight. 1t
is odd to find bedtime approach and
yet be as light as at midday. The
light does not disturb my sleep how
ever.
Our vessel. the F'rithjof. IS very
strong and well built boat and will
stand much ice pressure. 1t is not
quite as large as NanSen's Fran but
is ample to take US to Franz Joseph's
Land. l have charge of the provi-
sion department and am looking up
biscuits, canned meats, vegetables,
salt fish and the like.
Mr.. Baldwin has the clothing de-
partment and is buying wooden goods
and reindeer suits for US. Mr.. Well
man is looking out for the boats,
sledges and such other accessories as
will be required on the journey. The
guns and ammunition are in good
shape and will provide US with meat
during the winter.
We are very well equipped, have
plenty money to use and are not spar
ing it. We expect to do good work
and are preparing to accomplish some
good results which will be worth
while.
Two more men, Drs. Jore and Hol-
ma will come Saturday and then our
party will be complete. Last night
we dined in company with Swedish
expedition at Consul Aagaard's and
it was one O'Clock before we adjourn
ed. We took a photograph of the
party at II o'clock. The weather is
cool here and a fire would be a COM
fort, but we dispense with one to get
used to the climate. We will have
colder weather and must be prepared
| for it.
We will get eighty-three dogs at
Archangel and that will complete our
equipment.
The pastor of the Baptist church
is an American. resided in Minnesota
and studied in Chicago. His wife is
an excellent lady. l attended services
Sunday although | did not understand
a word.
| Norway is a desolate county, no
land under cultivation here and the
only industry of Importance is fishing.
! Vegetables are unknown and we live
upon fish. Salmon is ten cents a
pound and many other fish may be
had for mere song. We expect to
leave in twelve Gays and | will write
you again then. Your loving son,
QUIRoF.
Tromso, Norway, June %, 1898.
| My DEAR MOTHER:
This is the last opportunity that l
shall have of writing until we reach
Cape Flora. We leave tomorrow for
Archangel to get our dogs and from
there we go to the ice. Our prepara-
tions are completed, our clothing Is
ready and our skins provided so that
we can tarry no longer. We have an
excellent equipment. Our eighty
three dogs cost nearly $500. The
features of our equipment which are
new you would not understand, so |