Manchester Democrat. [volume] (Manchester, Iowa) 1875-1930, 1902-10-08


81 IflUT. ROBERT L. PEARY'S lat
Ia est dash to the pole ended at "a
- degrees IL minutes north latitude
SAB miles from the pole. AT this point
he was compelled to turn back, not be-
cause of physical exhaustion or lack o.
supplies, but because the ice cap was
impossible for men on foot, in sledges,
or In boats.
While Lieut.. Peary did not equal the
Duke d'Abruzzi's record of S6.33, and
Nansen's mark of S6.1i, he set new
American record. Heretofore the high
est American record was that of Lock
wood, of the Greedy expedition, who
reached 1924 degrees north latitude, in
1882.
At S7.41 north latitude Peary found the
ice cap broken by immense ridges dill
cult to surmount. Great assures opened
An the ice in every direction. Dense fogs
made travelling almost impossible.
The north pole his goal, and possession
for the United States of the far-off limits
OF the world his ambition, Peary launch
ed the little band Of which he was the
leader upon its plunge into the frozen
Hand of mystery in 1898. Hope was
strong within his breast, and his plans,
maturing through the years he had spent
IN the region for which he was bound in
ms previous Intellectual dashes north
ward, seemed to provide for every contin-
gency that might arise.
It wdas not to be quick rush through
the ice-bound region. Rather was 1t to
De siege. Peary was convinced that the
only way in which lie might accomplish
ms great ain would be to go forward
prepared TO remain for several years il
necessary, terrifying each step in advance
OF the main body of his expedition so he
might safely fall back fraction of the
wa! II compelled to do so and still be
ready at the instant conditions changed to
push on once more. Relief expeditions
were arranged TO go up after him each
year, ready to take him back to civilian
eloh II ne had gained what he sought, or
to return without him If he still had lis
task before him.
Frivations Of the sort that drive the
ioraVest men from their appointed mis-
sions confronted the daring explorer in
the four years that he spent in the frozen
Businesses of the North, cut off from all
civilization, his friends and supporters
an doubt most of the time whether he
Stiu llfeu.
Lieut.. Pcary made his first exploration
of the North in 1885, when, hayin. Neon
granted leave OF absence by the Nayv
Department, he penetrated far into
Greenland and reached an elevation on
the Greenland ice never before atfninsd
by white man. He also reached -tbo
hrst OF his race to accomplish as much
the interior plateau of unchanginy ,lrc.ic
snow. = " = !
In 1891 he made his second venture. ~.
companied by Mrs. Peary am = mai
party. His hope #as 10 discover the
northern Aaifss of Greenland and seek 10
push on to the pole if possible. Before
he was we'll on the way his leg was brok.
en- in an accident to his ship in the leo
foes. 1t was the following spriny hn. |
fore he could renew his journey. and then
he set out with one companion and his
dogs and sledges. July 4 he reached lis
goal, the northern end of Greenland aud
there he ran up the American flag A
bay stretched before him, and this water
he named Independence Bay in honor Of
the day. Across the bay was land. visit
bile, but not attainable. He returned
home.
His next expedition was begun in 1893,
after he had overcome the most irving
obstacles in the matter of gathering sutfi.