The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1908-10-20
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1r soodselI Writes.
Long Lett to
His MOT her

Or, John W. Goodsell. Of New Ken.
sington, Pa, who as surgeon OF the
ship Roosevelt is with Commander n.
e. Peary on his present polar expedi.
ton, las written to his friends thera
from Etah, the most northern settle.
ment with one exception, in the
world. This will probably be the last
word from DR.. Goodsell until he re.
turns in yearsor more. The longest
of these letters is to his mother at
New Kensington and is dated August
s. He says:
IT was in the early afternoon OF
July u when we first sighted the
Greenland mountains. we steamed
northwardly and could still see the
mountain range rising abruptly troas
the sea, with here and there break
and lighter shade OF color indicat-
ing possible glacier. We sailed
about 200 miles from the coast. At
times the mountain range seemed like
a bank Of clouds with plnnacles ard
turrets, and with but little snow ad.
herring to their steep sides.
Scenery Magnificent.
"July 81 we steamed across Melville
hay. The scenery Of the coast was In
expressibly grand. towering precipt-
tous cliffs, facing the sea, which were
divided at intervals by clefts Of snowy
Whiteness where glaciers oyeraang or
are pushed into the sea. Across the
horizon, extending with a gradual
slope far into cloudland, was the great
white line of5the summit Of the great
icecap clearly seen.
August 1 we landed at Saloo island.
Cape York. The island has two val.
leys running upward and eastward
from the bay. The smaller valley pre-
sents a rushing brook breaking from
under the snowbank and flowing shore.
ward under the rocky moraine Of some
previous glacier. Dividing into nu
merous shallow rivulets the brook
wound here and there among masses
of sprlngy moss. whose vivid green
was interspersed with tufts OF gold
and pure white. At North Star bay
George Borup and myself went ashore
and landed at the mouth Of a small
river which we followed for a short
distance as it flowed through a rocky
rayine.
All in Good Health.
"a smaller branch Of this FLYER We
followed to its source in two small
lakes. It's channel was four or five
fleet wide and covered with pebbles of
various hues. 1t flowed through
stretches Of gravel alternated by beds
Of greenest moss, at a point near Its
outlet from the smaller lake It's banks
We're lined with cotton,like head Of
rush, soft and downy as a thistle, and
along each side Of the snowy,toppe,l
rusaes grass grew in a luxurious man
I-ner. This. forming a margin for the
crystal waters Of the brook and lake,
made a beautiful picture in the glim.
mering light Of the Arctic sun.
"The Roosevelt arrived at Etah on
August 16. The Eric supply ship,
which is cruising with Commander
Peary will join us tomorrow.
There has been little illness on
either yessal and, without exception.
the officers and crews have enjoyed
good health. l was on shore yester.
day shooting and collecting botanical
specimens and succeeded in bagtr
eight Arctic hares. have become ac.
customed to the long Arctic days and
observe the periods for sleeping about
the same as at home,
see Clearly for 25 Miles.
'The opposite side Of the bay, Else.
mereland though 25 miles away. can
ibe clearly seen. We will be at Etah
several days before the Roosevelt
lleayes the Eric and pushes northward
on the voyage. Then, IL tte ice is
! well broken, We win get to our win.
ter quarters at Fort Sheridan in a few
days, but, If the Ice interfcres, the
"Trip may require two or three weeks
While we have encountered numer
ops icebergs, there have been no ice
fields or icepacks, and apparently the
lice is less in quantity than is usual. al
Ithis season. But this is no Indication
4lofthe ice to the north Of Etab for the
lack Of ice heer rather shows that thS
Ice there has not been dislodged oi
E;aoated southward.
There Is no word from Dt. Cook
i;who wintered at Etah and eaFly this
Isprlng accompanied ~ q lew Esqui.
|maux and dogs, crossed Smiths scund
with the intention Of pushing norta
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