The San Francisco call., 1909-10-15
COOKS CLIMB
OF HIGH PEAK
BRANDED FAKE
Guide, Who Was With Doctor
on Mt. Mckinley Trip De-
MES Reaching Summit
Says Explorer Failed to Get
Within Fourteen Miles of
Mountains Top

afternoon prints copy OF an 2fndaNlt
made by Edwin y. Barrill, who ac-
companied DR.. Frederick A. Cook at
the time he announced his reaching
the summit Of Mount Mckinley. The
affidavit was made before a notary
public at Tacoma. Wash. October 4,
and has just been received in New
York
Barrins affidavit states in effect
that he was the only person present
with Doctor Cook on the date when
Cook claims to have reached the sum-
NIT of Mount, Mckinley. that they did
not in fact reach the summit and the
nearest point to the summit reached
was at least il miles distant from the
summit Of that mountain, the eleva-
tion al no time exceeding 10000 feet.
The affidavit also brings into question
a number Of the photographs which
Doctor Cook has given as represent
ing the summit and other high alt-
tudes OF Mount Mckinley.
Barriu recOunts that at the start Of
the trip he prepared 70 keep an exact
diary and sets fGth that this diary,
marked exhibit "a. attached to the
affidavit is a pocket diary kept by me
Doctor Cook near Mount Mckinley,
and the same is a truthful record. with
the exception Of the entries and
changes made by me therein under
the orders Of Doctor Cook"
The diary referred 10 by Barrill
attached 70 the affidavit is now in pos
session Of the New York Globe.
The affidavit then proceeds as fol-
lows.
f,n -ho s,-a-fro - Serte.,,t,e- o 1oos ur
Cook ana ] started alone for the purpose Of ex-
plOring Mount Mehiuiey- lie Informed me be-
way for ascending she mountain and he and
Professor Parker Intended TO climb the noun
tain the following year.
As shown by my diary we took the ice on
September =. FROM and including the 9th down
10 and including the 18th Of September all
writings iu my qiary are by me, but were made
under the direction Of Dr. C0ok- / also changed
The dates during this time under his direction
On September y Dr. Cook directed 10 stop
keeping my diary and leave the pages therein
blank.
Ne quit any further attempts toward ascend
ing the mountain September -. and returned TO
The boat the foot 0f the glacier. We reached
the launch September 49, having travelled 20
miles more Oh the top OF tne glacier from
The place We quit climbing September Is.
Dr. Cook first told me 10 stop nv diary Sep
remher u. when in hfrn camp
Svbieh i5r Coos claimed as the ton of Mount
Mckinley. This point within sight of rs
At the time. Dr. Cook stated at this time and
place that the same, conditions existed there ns
directed me- 70 Stop my ulary unuL iuItnef OF
ders. AT this time We hsd been 10 the top
Of the point claimed by The doctor the top or
the mountain and the doctor had taken photo
graph Of the point with me standing on top
Ilereof~a Win the american AaG N II. -NAnN-
The Photograph 10 whieh 1 reier Is hnown opPO-
site page 221 of the doctors book entitled To
/ then came down with the flag to where Dr.
Cook standing with his camera and made
ne remark that me elent peaks . % me 5 S,ner
SIDE of rnis point Where hsa Deeh PnOlv.
grsphed would probably show in the picture, and
be said that be had taken the picture al such an
angle that those peaks would not snow Inc
peaks 10 which I refer are sketched by me in
my diary and marked / 70 ), inclusive. and
are shown in said diary on page just pre-
ceding the date appearing therein as September
and on the pages following September Il.
When I came down from the point and handed
the doctor the flag he stated 70 me as follows:
That point would make good top for Mount
Mckinley. II looks Just about Ike the Gun
sight ueak would look Mount Mckinley p"
which we had been looking az from the saddle.
In about half an hour after the picture was
taken fixed up packs. and at about
10 30 or IL O'Clock September l3 we started
down and around on the place designated as
90 around there in order 10 get farther up on the
main glacier. TO get good view OF the
northeast ridge leading Up 70 me sulqinh 1H L. ?.
Mount Mckinley 80 as 10 ascertain II tnat
ridge was connected solid with the top OF the
mountain that il would have an appearance
similar 10 the description he would nave To give
5p his writings. As the doctor had seen the
mountain from all sides excepting this. and as
This was rhe side where he proposed 10 claim
fhst he had climbed Il. he wished 10 know the
nature Of the ridge leading mp TO the top OF the
mountain he could write about II as II ap-
was with Dr. Cook continuously every day
during the time be was attempting 10 ascend
the mountain and the nearest point 10 the sum
nit Of Mount Mckinley which we reached was
e. leas- Il miles distant from the summit. and
81 no time did reach an elevation in excess
of 10. O0O feet. and the Doctor told me when
Ne were at tho place where ny picture was
taken that We were not over 5000 feet high
1 neglected 70 STATE that O7 the lbfn ~ Sepfem-
her and on the eEea!ng q Sepiemher ilr took
asked mo 4 was willing 70 stay with bini
/ said Yes wfen be sid i wiz sec YOU
get $500 extra for doing so
Affidavit is Substantiated
SEATTLE. Oct. walter P. Miller
OF this city. photographer of Doctor
Cooks Mount Mckinley expedition, has
made N affidavit cOrroborating that of
Bsrrill in every detail. When shown
Barrills story today he said that II
was correct. Miller says he has photo
graphs and maps that fully confirm
the statements of Barrill.
The sf1daEits Of Barrill. Miller and
others were sworn TO in the office of
James N Ashton. an attorney Of Ia
coma. who was retained by certain in
terests in New York, said TO be the
Peary arctic club. TO investigate the
alleged ascent of the great Alaska
peak by Doctor Cook.
Cook Denies Charge
ATLANTIC CITY, y. J.. oct. l4-Ex-
pressing astonishment at the state
ment OF Edward Barriil, Doctor Cook
today maintained that he had ascended
10 the summit of Mount Mckinley. and
said further that If an expedition will
follow the route he took they viii find
the records deposited by him at the
summit Of the mountain.
Referring 10 Barrills sworn state
ment. Doctor Cook said
IF an expedition OF experienced
mountaineers will follow the route
that ] took. and will go TO the top of
Mount Mckinley. they will find there
the records which Z deposited on at
tanning the summit Of the mountain in
the manner described in my book. To
the Top Of the Continent"
Gotham Honors Cook
NEW YORK. Oct I4.-An Illuminated
address comforting upon Dr. Frederick
A. Cook the freedom Of New York citv
was signed today by Mayor Mcclellan
and President Patrick F. MCGOWAN OF
the board of aldermen. This honor.
which is seldom accorded. will be
formally conferred upon the BROOKLYN
explorer tomorrow at a reception at tho
city han heretofore arranged.