The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-10
DEDRICK'S VERSION.
Makes Detailed Statement of His Row
With Peary.

w III Cd1
Washington, N J., Nov 1O.-Dr T. S.
Dedrick, who accompanied the PeaTy
Arctic expedition and who LETT it While
in the north, has furnished the Associa-
ted Press with the following statement:
! This statement is the only one author
lied by me since the one telegra pied
over my signature en- route 10 New
York a few days after my last landing
at Sydney. The miseonstruction that
the press put upon DR.. T. A. Cooks
opinion as TO the effects of the arctic
night upon the possibility of men living
amiably together led 20 the false state
ment that 1 authorized DR.. Cook 10 ex-
plain the causes or my troubles with
Mr.. Peary.
Dr. Cook did state that he never had
any question as to my sanity and that
re never examined me in the least. He
has deolored to me the rumors which
grew current, and has said emphatically
that he wished to do all in his power to
stamp out any false impressions.
1 shall not go over the circumstances
| of my resignation, any more than to
touch on those phases which will cor
rect the impression that I acted incon-
siderately- The haze thrown upon the
| circumstance of my going ashore led to
all kinds of surmises Among many
other things it was said: None of the
officers Of the expedition had any
knowledge of his Intentions"
Three days previously in giving Mr.
1
Offering my voluntary services, I told
him that if my presence was not ae-
ceptable at his headquarters I certainly
should land at the nearest possible
point. I said l was aware that I might
be defeating my purpose in thus giving
| him information which he might use to
thwart my plan, but that 1 wanted him
to know my strong feeling in the matter
and also that 1 wanted to act openly in
thus giving him notice OF my intentions.
Many other reports sDrang up, such
as: "A large depot of expedition sup
plies is situated at Etah." There was
not an ounce of supplies on the Green
land shore, and every one aboard knew
it.
Let me review: On August q al Inc
rendezvous of the two ships at olr;k's
Bay, 1 gave my verbal resignation and
proffer of voluntary services. Mr. Peary
accepted the former, but wanted to de-
lberate over the matter. As in both
| instances of previous engagements
(Which We're dropped at his request) he
had accepted my voluntary services. [
supposed he would now. The ships sep
arated to meet uD the shore toward
Etah at Nerke. l was directed to con-
tinue on the "Windward" in charge of
the Eskimos, he being on the Erik On
the oath the ships met. stores were
transferred and, the Windward remain
| ing, all of us proceeded on the Erik
toward Cape Sabine, supposed to be
reached by evening. after making q. call
at EIan before CIOSSlIlS Inc CHdilnGi. MY
written resigna ton now given Mr.. Peary
embodied the following:
You will never by any voluntary act
of mine. be deprived of my medical ser
vices, nor of helping hand so long as
you remain in the Arctic. If I am not
to remain at your headquarters. you
can depend upon my being at the near
est possible point that I can effect a
landing and maintain life. My salary.
of course, ceases from date Ny full
| salary 81 800 being due
you will please give me an order on the
Peary Arctic club / shall refrain from
making any public comment and any
! private comment on the chain of cir
cumstances leading to the rupture in
our relations until we return to the
states, when shall Justify my course.
fer the sake of my family and my hon
or. if deem it necessary.
(Signed) 1T S DEDRICK
Assistant and Surgeon"
Within a few hours of reaching Etah.
I requested an answer, which was as
follows: Your resignation of the 21st
is at hand, and is accepted, to take eff
/ feet on your arrival in New York,
whittier you will proceed on the return
ing Erik On the receiDt of your dia-
ries and game lists, etc, and the medi-
cal stores now in your possession, I will
authorize the club to pay you the bonus
of $50 per month provided in our con-
tract for faithful service"
This ended the incident. I asked Mr..
Peary how long before we would anch-
or at Etah. He replied lin couple of
hours 1 asked how long it would take
to cross the Sabine. He replied: -Four
hours if there is no ice" eve had
crossed twice during the summer free
from the ice).
We were within couple of hour of
Etah. This was the only opportunity for
the landing. Supper was eaten and I
had time to collect my diaries and game
lists, write an order to Mr. Bridgman to
pay the s. 500 to my wife. hastily close
my mail to the states, collect my wifes
letters and photographs, a seal skin coat
and few things into a small bag. ex-
change my coat for a heavier one, ask