The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1908-10-15
COOK NEAR POLE
EXPLORER. ALONE IN ICE AND
SNOW, WITHIN $50 MILES.
Started on Hunting Jaunt Win hicn
New Yorker-Writes Of HIS
Success.

New York. Oct. 15.-Dr. Frederick
L. Cook. the Arctic explorer, Is be
lleyed by Anthony Fiala TO be close
to the North Pole, II he has not "a
ready reached that object OF many
historic expeditions. No word has
been heard from DIR. Cook since
March II last. He was then on the
po.ar ice north OF Cape Thomas Hub
bard, about $50 miles from the pole.
He was the only white man with sew
eral Eskimos and big equipment OF
dogs, s.eds and supplies. When he
wrote then he was on the eve oil
making a desperate dash for the pole
over the ice.
DR.. Cooks attempt to reach the
pole was unprecedented. A year
ago last spring he started on hunt
ing expedition with John r. Bradley,
a wealthy New Yorker. who hal
hunted game in all corners of the
word except the Polar region Mr..
Bradley bought.a 110-ton Gloucester
fishing schooner with an auxiliary
gasoline engine, renamed her the
John r. Bradley, and in this vessel
went north, DIR. Cook being in COM
mand.
One Man Try for Pole.
The hunting trip ended the after
part OF August, 1907. and on the 2Ith
the schooner had started from Amor
tok, on tho northwest coast of Green
land. back for New York. Almost up
TO the last II was expected DR.. Cook
would return with the partyA but ne
decided to remain and make a one
man try for the pole. One OF the
crew OF the schooner. Rudolph
FRANKIE. volunteered to stay at An
norfolk and watch the supplies.
FRANKIE has just got back. While at
Annortok be received the following
letter from Dr.. Cook by Eskimo mes
senger:
"The Polar Sea, North OF C. Hub
bard, March l7.--Dr. Rudolph: Thus
far II has gone very well. but the
weather has been awful cold. We
got 10 musk OK until we had crossed
Ellesmereland. but since We have Sc
cured iO2 musk OK, bears and about
$50 hares.
The Eskimos will probably return
slowly, for they ike this land very
well. | do not expect them to reach
you until about the middle OF May.
II we are lucky, we viii take short
cut back and will get to Annortok by
the end OF May. When the natives
set back give them all one block or
tobacco. and nothing more until get,
back, except those that so away.
PIco lima and Egingwah VIII so away
Give them a knife and Ratchet each
and any other thing we can spare
which they want. n you get chance,
send TO Ig,oodohoming and also tot
the island OF North Star a box OF bis
cults and can OF alcohol.
'To the present have seen moth
ing OF Crokerland. and am taking
straight course for the poe. the
boys are doing well, and ] have plenty
of dogs. hope to succeed. Al any
rate, I will make a desperate attempt.
"whfe / expect to get back to you
by the end OF MAJ, still wish you 70
be ready to go TO Acponie, the Island
of North Star, where the whalers
steamer come, by the 5th of June.
and IL I am not back. go home with
the whalers. ! think. however, vel
VIII be back. Gather all the blue fox
skins you can. These must be our
money on the return trip. II you can
get a few bear skins take them, also
norwhal and walrus tuslSs. but do not
give too much for them. The dogsI
that come back that belong to usl
turn over TO Pontlpa to feed and work
II Kudnu 1.-THE Danel Is still there.
urge him to wait for our return either
at Annortok or at North Star. for |
am anxious to go TO Uperniyik att
tonce on our return, AMI he can be of
Ruch use TO Us.
&yiere is likely 10 be much open
water between you and Etah. so you
had better send the trunk. the nor
whai tusks and all things for the re-
turn to Etah at least, IL not further,
as soon as YOU can.
'I have regretted many times that
YOU are not with us. but at the mo-
ment II seemed best to send you
back, and, on the whole. you are
more assistance 10 me at home. TO
gnard and care for our things. than
here In the field. in this awful cod
and wind trust YOU are OF the same
opinion.
80 goodbye, and now for the poe
Yours cordially.
"FREDI.RIrK A. COOK