The Nome nugget., 1903-01-24

squaw whose hand Wa, thus mutjlated by her buck.
 The old native from King William Land is the next and only per-On that can he considered reliable: he had b, en chief of his tribe: d !orrger nat ve wanted his power and place, SO le deemed it letter to emigra.c in order to live a feS years longer. although hc was then old but net feeble. fIe made the long journey, supporting himself un the way. He was received kindl! 1 hy the IwiIliks. until .lher II emherS f l his tribe arrived. These the Twill ks | feared They were given a terrjtCry ] which to hunt in the direction of | heir own (. .untry the old chief g' ing ith them. He described Sir John | Franklin as being a large man: he would put his hands on their childreu's heads and stroke their hair and make them presents. said the old chief. He | told about Franklin death and burial on the northern end of he island; also of cache or vault where ackares were put some time later: and large piles of ,tones were made hy white men before they went away. IheS" his people pulled down and gave the papers to heir child en which were by them torn up and destroyed. The vault re- sisted every effort to break it open. Their rude implements of flint and ivory were useless for he task, and they also dashed heavy stones upon it but with out effect, the vault being made in a natural crelice. one end and the cover bein. fitted in and then cemented.
 Dr. Hall stated that cement had been on board of Sir John FranklIn's ships for this very purpose. One 'f these ships had been broken in the ice and had disappeared. the other was pushed ashore by the ice pack, perhaps, and remained there, furnishing the natives continuous supply or ilen nails. They made regular visits 10 the wreck, some | Ol llicIl COIlIhS d ipi 'iHtt't'NN 'c " these highly valued articles.
 The northern part of this island is not visited by migrating reindeer, and is said to be destitute of game and is therefore uninhabiled. How unfcr- tunale that the Erebus and Terror should have been lost at this desolatt place.
 There cannot be any doubt regarding the burial place of Sir John Franklin, and it is reasonable to suppose that large portion of the manu>cripts which would accumulate would be cached near his grave. The writer cannot re- member he old natives story as to the rrave in full. but he talked much of the cemented vault. and always to Tookoolitoo. who had acted as inter- preter. His description of he vault Is vivid in my memory, as he seemed pleased that his own eope failed to destroy it. and it's contents, anu as soon as he was told about the loss and our disappointment at the destruction "f he stone piles he exhibited regret and surprise. They had not fount any thing of value to them. The old ha- tive had visited the ships many times before and after the deal h of Sir John Franklin, and his lii tle talks about the unfortunate explorers were always in- teresting.
 Upwards of B years have passed since these events transpired and mem ory fails to recOlect many things con cerning these faled ships and their crews that would interest the reader Before closing this subject and chang ing to anot her, I will refer the reader to the record found by Commander Me | Clintock; the latitude given at that time puts the ship, little north and west of the island: May 28, lS47. H. M. s. ships Erebus and Terror winttred in ice in Lat. 70 degrees, minutes north, having wintered in le45-6 at Brechey is and, latitude "A deSre 43 minutes 28 seconds north. after kav- 1 ing asreud-d Wellington channel 70 77 degrees, returning by the West side of Cornwallis island; Sir John Franklin. commanding the exl eiit!un: al web Party consisting of two officers and six men left the ships, May 24, lS47."