Eagle River review. [volume] (Eagle River, Wis.) 1890-1927, 1902-08-30
FROM FRlGID LANDS.
GLOBE GlRDLER DE WINDT ON
HOME STRETCH.
Passes Through Chicago on His Way
from Paris to New York-He Tells
of a Hard Journey, but Does Not
Care to Repeat 1t.

Harry de Windt went through Chicago
few days ago on his way east. He is
making his third attempt to travel from
| Paris to New York overland.
Mr.. de Windt left Paris on Dec. 10,
1901, with three companions, determined
| to demonstrate that the proposed Trans
siberian and Alaskan Railroad was prac-
| hcable, and that it would be possible to
make the journey from Paris to New
/ York by rail if such line was ever con-
l structed.
eve have no doubt that the railroad
will be constructed some time, and be-
lieve 1t will not be many years before
one may take the trip by rail-" said Mr..
de Windt. "Ten thousand dollars, how
ever, would not induce me to take the
same trip again as we made it."
De Windt and his companions were
found nearly dead from exposure in a
cave on the Siberian coast by Capt Cot
tie Of the whaler William Bayliss. This
was early last June They crossed Bering
sea in the United States revenue cutter
Thetis, and after that their hardships
were nearly over.
The story of their trip is a continuous
record Of struggle against mighty obsta-
cles. Undaunted by two previous fail
ures they fought their way on, determin-
ed to succeed. The first stage Of the
journey was made over the Transsiberian
Railway. This took them as far as r.
kutsk. There tahey embarked on a trip
of 1000 miles to Yakutsk, travelling the
entire distance in horse sleighs. Yakutsk
has the reputation Of being the coolest
town on earth, and Mr.. de Windt de-
clares the reputation is well earned.
De Windt Tells of Hardships.
Speaking of that part of his journey,
the traveller said: THE distance was COW
cred by means of 122 drivers and 1872
horses. The total cost for each sleigh
was under $3.50"
From Yakutsk the travellers journey
took them 700 miles to Verkoyansk, thence
northeast 300 miles to the town of Sred-
nikolynisk. 1.-THE sleighs that brought
US from Irkutsk were discarded at va
kutsk for small reindeer sleds about sew
en- feet by three, covered in by canvas
and reindeer SKINS" said Mr.. De Windt.
"Bear skins formed the beds and there
we lay at full length day after day, night
after night, for the next two months,
while Yakute driver urged on his deer
train. Light furs were useless in that
region.
1.-THE traveller bound for the Kolyma
district must take all his provisions in a
frozen state, for food is scarce along that
lonely tract of 1900 miles. The reindeer
stations are $50 to 200 miles apart, but
shelter huts are located at shorter inter
walls. These are little houses Of wood and
water in the form Of slabs Of ice, but
nothing else.
''The stupendous difficulties TO that
overland journey from Paris to New
York can be realized only by those who
have encountered them.
From Srednikolynisk our next dash
was 1900 miles to the shore of Berihg
sea, dogs being our motive power. The
cold was terrible At times the Their
mometer registered rs degrees below zero,
and for 500 miles we did not see hut"
At last the inhospitable seashore was
reached, and there the entire party nearly
persisted from exposure and hunger. They
were found at a place called Whadyluk
by Capt. Cottle, who supplied them with
provisions and offered to take them off
in his boat. This offer De Windt declin-
ed.
After reaching Cape Nome De Windt
had failed in the effort, once being driven
back by unfriendly savage tribes in north
ern Siberia and once turned back by the
war in China.
The explorer was aided materially in
his present trip by the American and Rus
sian governments, the Siberian officials
being ordered to take every precaution
to insure the safety of the explorers
against unfriendly natives, and the Unit
ed States revenue service in Alaska lie
ing ordered to keep a lookout for the
party.