The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1906-03-02
TO EXPLORE POLAR LANDS.
Four Men to Head Expedition Into
Land Of Ice.

Land Of Ice.
| Seeing unknown lands in the north
polar seas, a party of four intrepid
men will set out from this country
next April on the most daring expedi-
ton since the ill-fated attempt of DR..
Andree to reach the North pole in a
balloon. They are not after the North
pole, nor even after the honor of set
ting mark further north than any
previous expedition, but they may ac-
complish both. The expedition is
purely for scientific purposes, the
principal idea being to discover new
lands.
In the party will be Ejnar Mikkel-
sen of Copenhagen, an experienced
arctic explorer, licensed sailing mas
ter in the Danish merchant service and
a naturalist; Ernest De Koven Letting
we'll, a research assistant at the Uni
versity of Chicago, who has made
special study of glaciation and paleon-
toluogy; Ejnar Ditlevsen, Copenha-
gen, zoologist and artist. The fourth
member will probably be an English
scientist.
Messre. Wikkelsen and Leffingwell
were members Of the Baldwin-Zeigler
expedition. The two men became
deeply attached to each other and
their mutual zeal for the expedition
and scientific expedition made it a
speedy and natural result that, having
aided others in dashes for the pole,
they, too, should want to reap for
themselves some of the glory that
comes from the never-ccasing effort to
add to the worlds biographies new
maps OF the northern regions.
Before Mikkelsen and Leffingwell
came together the Dane already had
gone through his first experience as
northern explorer He was with AM
drup In the Greenland east coast in
vestigations of 1900 and 1902. In
each instance he made an excellent
record. He bears captains certifi.
cate in the Danish marine service,
which is q proof that he is good sea-
man. for the descendants Of the vi
kings exact q high standard from
those whom they pronounce fit TO pre-
side over the destinies of their ships
Mr.. ,Ditlevsen was also 4 member of
the Greenland expeditions.
They are enthusiasts, but not vision
aries. for they know exactly the stu-
alton that confronts them. and have
practical plans to cope with whatever
conditions may aries.
So sanguine is Mr.. Lefinswell> of
the success Of the trip that he has put.
all of his money into it. even borrow
ing on interest from his father a por-
ton of the Lefingwell estate AIilkkel-
sen and Leffingwell are equal partners
The Dane is not a man of means. but
his reputation enabled him to get the
assistance of wealthy persons in Eng
land, who subscribed his share.
In the words of Mr.. Mikkelsen, the
object of the expedition is to find out
the existence or non-existence of land
to the north of Alaska and the west of
Banks Land.
AS far back as 1853 belief that there
was such land has been promulgated
by such eminent experts as Sir Glenn
ent Markham and Admiral Osborne
But none of the few expeditions which
have gone close TO this regiou have
been able to throw any light on the
subject. Mikkelsen believes that
north of Alaska ana Wrangle's Isle
there may even be a chain of islands.
that being in the heart OF the seal re-
gion may prove of greatest CONNER
cial importance.
To solve the question, four men will
attempt the hardships of, sledge
journey across the polar ocean from
Cape Prince Alfred. which is the
northwest corner of Banks Land. They
will travel in a northwesterly direc-
ton. and if the ice is favorable may
even attempt to reach more wester-
ly position, perhaps Wrangel's Isle.
before striking down for the coast of
the continent.
In order to tell whether or not they
; have crossed the continental shelf,
they will carry sounding apparatus.
which will permit of soundings as deep
as 200 fathoms.
At the beginning of the journey the
party will be divided. Capt Mikkelsen
will either purchase a small sloop in
San Francisco. or, failing that. will
take passage aboard whaler for ST.
IBERIA, where he will purchase two
ponies and about thirty-five dogs In
the meantime the other three members
of the party will go north by the great
American rivers. In August the juno
tion of the parties will be made at
the mouth of the Mackenzie river
From there the four men will go
north on a wha1er to Bathurst. or, if
the weather permits, to Banks Island.
Cape Keller is fixed upon as winter
headquarters, and house will be
erected there by one man and two Es-
kimos engaged at Bathurst. Leaving
one member of the party to take
charge of the house at Cape Keller.
three others will push along the coast
in boat specially built for the Dur-
s~~~~>eeeee~>N~N ~~s~~e~.e~e~~~
Work in Hatfield Valley. 81
The committee appointed $ some
years ago to investigate the Hatfield
valley property bought by the Norwe-
pian government IN 1Q()O for 900 SOO'