The Washington times., 1903-09-07
NattbezU Hansen, His Negro
Oaief, Only Member of
Party Selected to Accom-
pany Distinguished Explorer
FAITHFUL COMPANION
OF FORMER EXPEDITIONS
Exploration Camp to Be
Small and Harmonious.
Physician to Be Selected.
Others toBe Seasoned Men.

Matthew Hansen, Captain Peary's
trusted negro body servant on former
Arctic expeditions, will go with the
explorer on his proposed search for the
North Pole.
Although all the members of my
party have not been selected yet. there
is one man in the United States who
will certainly go with me. and that man
is Matthew Hansen" Captain Peary
said this morning. Hansen has been
with me on all my trips since I went
10 Nicaragua on canal exploration,
and / would not think of going with
out him.
Many Qualifications.
He viii sail with me and make the
long sledge trip in search of the North
Pole. I know I can trust him abso-
lutely- He is a good shot, good oars
man, and one of the bravest men
ever knew. He and Eskimos may be the
only men who will make the dash with
me over the ice from Grantland.
There Will doubtless be a physician
sail with US from New York. He has
not been chosen. and I know nothing cs
other members OF the party further than
that they will all be men who are ac-
customed 10 life in the Arctic regions
The party Will be small and harmonious.
Twenty Men to Make Dash.
'I do not know positively what men
viii start with Hansen and me across
the ice waste from Grantland, but 1
have three Eskimos IN mind who will
doubtless be our companions All told
the number of men who will make the
dash for the pole will not be more than
twenty 1t may be even less. This de-
pends on the number of available men
In whom / have absolute confidence"
Hansen. the negro who is 10 be such
an important member of the Peary party.
is now in New York. where he is serv-
ing as valet. He was born on the East
ern Shore Of Maryland. and has mucn
white blood in his veins.
Dogs to Garry Supplies.
Dogs will be used exclusively in
transporting the supplies for the party
which starts across the ice" said Cap
tain Peary. They are much better
adapted TO this work than either men or
ponies. Then some of the dogs can be
used 10 feed the remainder of the pack.
and in case OF necessity the dogs will
furnish food for the men in the party"
Mrs. Peary expected TO accompany
her husband on his next Arctic expedi-
tion, but the arrival OF a new heir in the
Peary household last week will make il
impossible for the explorers wife TO
make another trip into the frozen North.
Confident Of Success.
Mrs. Peary has great confidence in her
husbands plans. She is willing that he
shall make another trip into Arctic
regions and believes he will plant the
Stars and Stripes Al the North Pole
while she is caring for the sturdy boy
who came 10 their home last week
Speed is the keystone OF the plans
made by Captain Peary. The vessel
which VIII carry him 10 Greenland and
then 70 the most northern point OF
Grantland is 10 be a much swif1er one
than any other Arctic expedition mas
used. Il will be capable o, making
great speed when il is possible to do
so. Tben The trip across the ice is SO
much faster than that of other sledge
parties which have started il search OF
The North Pole.
y am 20 familiar with the needs OF
an arctic expedition now that not an
unnecessary pound will be carried" >" said
Captain Pcary. Il have come to a full
realization Of the necessity of making
great speed when opportunity offers and
shall not allow anything 10 hamper our
progress"