Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-07
The Fate Of Andree. Ats


since the intrepid Andree and his two
companions scared aloft in their great
balloon from Danes island, and drifted
on the winds toward the frozen North
1t was the most daring, and perhaps
the most foolhardy, polar expedition
ever undertaken. Not only science but
all humanity followed their flight with
eager eyes hoping for their success, but
knowing well the small chance that
they would ever he seen again Great
has been the speculation on all sides a.
to their fate, and even those who have
termed the expedition merely the wild
act of q reckless enthusiast have been
forced to admit that even recklessness
will temp the unknown to such a pass
for the good of humanity and the en-
rlchment of science, deserve at least
the poor boon of our sincerest appre-
citation and honor for their heroic en-
deavor and the sacrifices they were
willing to make.
The descriptions of all that can be
known of this enterprise by those most
familiar with its preliminaries as pub
ished in at least two of the America n
mouthies for March, show that Andree
has been and must remain figure of
no common interest to science and hui
manity. Nearly two-1hirds of year
have elapsed, and only one MESA sc
from the intrepid aerial navigator has
come back, and that sent TWO days
after their departure. That is all, and
part of the frozen land have fate ana
the elements carried them, and how
have they been disposed of.
Doubtless these men We're carried up
ward and onward, not only by a strong
purpose. but by mighty faith and tn >
history of the race has again and again
demonstrated the power of these in
fluences over difficulties seemingly in
surmountable. Nevertheless hope is
now the only refuge of all who take an
interest in these men or their mission.
Walter Wellman, who in 1891 organized
the Wellman Polar expedition. dis
cusses in McClure's the probabilities As
they appear to him. There are three
Of : xs-;f TO NO a, .$i
mate point of descent. each strong
enough to merit attention. The first o.
these is that the 'Orneu cThe EagleD
remained in the air until Franz Josef
Land was reached" If the descent
were made in safety the Voyagers
might without great trouble make their
way to Cape Flora. where Jackson lcrt
a comfortable house and ample sup
plies for Wintering. Another PROB
ability is that the airship came down in
the ocean to the southeast OF SpitZber
gen. When Andree was asked a few
days before his start what would hap
pen if they descended in the sea. his
brief but sufficient answer was
drown"
The third probability would place the
Eoyagers far to the east or northward
of Franz Josef Land, in which even
they are certainly lost They had
provisions for only four months, and on
the Polar pack no game could he Sc
cured except by the rarest good luck.
If the descent was upon the Polar pack
80 miles from Cape Flora. the explof-
crs are lost IF they are now alive
the chances are that they will next
summer be found a. the Jackson House
at Cape Flora" But the most hopeful
enthusiast hardly dares to think that
anything more will ever he learned Of
the dauntless Andree and his com
panions. They have doubtless died in
the cause that has been the death of
many of the worlds bravest men.
A court in Georgia recently rendered
decision that a marriage ceremony
performed on Sunday is not valid IN
The case which brought out that deci-