The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-08-18
BRINGS A GRIM STORY
The Wellman Expedition Returns
From the Arctic.
NEW LANDS DISCOVERED
Nearly Reached the Pole When a Series
OF Disasters Drove Them Back.
Wellman Is Probably
Cripple for Life.

Tromsoe, Island Of Tromsoe, Norway,
Aug. 17.-Walter Wellman and the sur
vivors of the Polar eXpeition led by him
arrived here this evening on the steam
er Capelle, having successfully COM
pleted their explorations in Franz Josef
Land. Mr. Wellman has discovered i'm
portant new lands and many islands.
The expedition brings grim story of
Arctic tragedy. In the autumn of 1898
an outpost called Fort Mckinley was
established in latitude 81. 1t was a
house built of rocks and rooted over
with walrus hide Two Norwegians,
Paul Bjorvig and Bert Benthen, the
latter Of whom was with Nansen on the
Fran, remained there. The main party
wintered in canvas covered hut
named Harmsworth house, at Cape
Tetgeth, on the southern point of Halls
island, latitude 80.
About the middle of February before
the rise of the sun to it's winter height,
Mr.. Wellman, with three Norweglans
and as dogs, started north. 1t was the
earliest sledge journey on record in that
high latitude.
On reaching Fort Mckinley Mr.. Well
man found Benthen dead, but Bjorvig.
according to promise had kept the body
in the house sleeping beside it through
two months of Arctic darkness Not
withstanding his terrible experience the
survivor was safe and cheerful. Push
ing northward through rough ice and
severe storms with continuous tenn
perature of 10 days between 40 and so
degrees below zero. the party found
new lands north of Freedom island,
where NanSen landed in 1895
Il y .f 4, oil 10 de-,
We're confident of reaching latitude 81
or So, if not the pole itself.
Then began a succession of disasters
Mr.. Wellman, while leading the party,
fell into snow covered crevasse, Sc
riously injuring one of his legs and
compelling a retreat.
Two days later the party was aroused
at midnight by an icequake under
them, due to pressure. In a few mo-
ments many dogs were crushed and
their sledges destroyed. The members
of the expedition narrowly escaped with
their lives, though they managed to
save their precious sleeping bags and
some dogs and provisions.
On Mr.. Wellman's condition becoming
alarming, an inflammation having set
in. the brave Norwegians dragged him
on a sled by forced marches, nearly 200
miles to headquarters, arriving there
early last April. Mr.. Wellman is still
unable to walk and will probably be
permanently crippled.
After reaching headquarters, other
members of the expedition explored re-
gions hitherto unknown and important
| scientific work was done by Lieutenant
Evelyn Baldwin of the United States
| weather bureau, DIR. Edward Hofma of
| Grand Haven, Mich, and A. Harlan of
| the United States coast survey. The
expedition killed Al bears and many
| walruses.
The Capella arrived at Cape Tege-
thoff in search of the expedition on
| July 81 last. On Aug. 3 she met the
Stella Polar bearing the expedition
| headed by Prince Luigi. Duke of
! Abruzzi, which had sailed from Arch
| angel to reconnoiter northwest of
France Josef island and to meet, if pos
| sible the Wellman expedition.
| Mr.. Wellman and his companions
| found no trace in France Josef island
of the missing aeronaunt, Professor
| Andrea.