The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-01-10
NHNSEN IN HOoSIERDOM
CONTEMPLATED TEACHING IN THIS
STATE SEVERAL YEARS AGO.
The Famous Explorer Does Not Be-
ing Unlucky Thirteen Idea.

DIR. Fridtjof Nansen. the Norwegian ex-
plorer. with his business manager and his
private secretary, a well-clothed and vol
uble young Englisman, whose card reads:
uble young Eglishman. whose card reads:
come to town to deliver his lecture, across
the Polar Region" The party arrived at
noon yesterday from Columbus, o., and
went into camp at the Bates House.
DR.. Nansen is kept almost as exclusive
from the public gaze as he was during his
fifteen months of isolation on the ice with
his only companion, Lieutenant Johansen.
In fact, it is almost physical impossibility
to get hold of the hero of the frozen north.
The private secretary is the talking man
of the party. He knows Nansen's story by
heart, and relates it with all the glibness
of the modern press agent After the news
paper caller has done with the secretary
he is treated to fleeting glimpse Of the
explorer. who consents to come out of his
room and exchange the compliments Of the
day. Nansen is thirty-seven years of age,
six feet tall, and broad in proportion. His
head is surmounted by thick-set yellow hair,
which he wears a la pompadour The chief
feature of his countenance is his clear blue
eyes, characteristic of the people living in
the Scandinavian peninsula. His eyes are
what might be termed a lively blue; kindly,
CHEEKY and sympathetic.
Mrs Nansen is not with her husband on
his American tour. She accompanied him
last year through England, where he was
made much Of, but three months ago new
baby boy came to the Nansen household,
and the mother is necessarily busy in her
Norwegian home with her matronly duties.
The Nansens reside near the city of Chris
NJ ~, ri
last October, where he met Lieutenant
Peary, the American explorer, at a recep-
ton given them both by the American
Geographical Society. Nansen admires
Peary, and credits him with having done
heroic work. The Norwegian explorer smiles
when he talks briefly of how near he came
to being a professor in the Indiana State
University. Several years ago he was ten
dered the chair of zoology by President
Jordan, of the State University. ahd for a
time seriously considered the matter. But
it was about this time that he had in mind
a trip to Greenland, and he chose a soJourn
in the country of the reindeer to the quiet
routine of an Indiana college professor. The
explorer is a very busy man, according to
the private secretary. He is engaged in the
which he expects to deliver this week. But
the secretary knows as much about Nan
sens trip as IL he had been one OF the party.
He is familiar with every detail of the jour
ney through the polar sea, and reels off
the. story as readily as the explorer him
SELF
1t is told of Nansen that he fitted out his
expedition to the north with view to ex,
which is favorite ' Superstition ~ Of his
country and England. He started with
thirteen men aboard the steamship Fran.
Not man was lost on the trip. NanSen
on his return reached Norway with his
friend Johansen on Aug. 10, 1895. While the
Fran was en- route north litter of thirteen
puppies was born on board the ship, and
the Fran was released from the ice pack
on the thirteenth" the day that Nansen
and his companion reached home 1t will
be remembered that the explorer and Lieu
tenant Johansen left the ship after they
had been out about eighteen months, and
with dogs, sledgeS and kaiackS (canoeS)
started on alone. They never saw the ship
again until she was brought home several
months after Nansen and his lieutenant had
arrived.
NO GREAT FEAR FOR ANDREE.
DR.. Nansen was the friend and admirer of
Andree, who started several months ago for
the north pole in balloon. Nothing has
been heard of Andree or his balloon Of late,
and many believe his expedition was an ILL
starred one. Dr. Nansen, however, does not
believe Andree has persisted, although he
says "he may or he may not return" He
is of the opinion that Andree is somewhere
in the far north, where he is cut off from
communication with civilization. People
need not expect to hear from Andree much
before next fall,'' said Nansen to a reporter
in a brief chat It is understood the Nor
wegian explorer is forming some definite
plans for the future. Il have something in
view" he replied to query, ''but 1 cannot
talk about it at this time. l want to get
through with my lecturing tour the first
thing"
Dr.. Nansen was interested to learn that
a member of the Greedy expedition lives in
indianapolis. He remembered Sergeant
Fredericks. who endured great hardships on
the trip with Greedy. "Oh, yes, | recall
Sergeant Fredericks,' he remarked when
ericks who was with Rice when he died.
Tonight at the Grand Opera House the
explorer will deliver his lecture. He uses
stereopticon outfit, and exhibits about sew
enty views of the polar region. Rev. N. A.
Hyde will introduce him.