The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-13
NOT QUITE ALONE
Peary Had One Eskimo With
Him at Pole.
Eging Wah Is His Only
Witness.
STORY OF JOURNEY.
Drowning of Pref. Marion on
Return Trip.
The Pele Appeared as a Frozen
Sea.

Battle Harbor. Labrador. Sept. 13.
The following details of Com
mander Peary's journey to the North
Pole have been cleaned from mem
bers of the expedition on board the
steamer Roosevelt:
The only men to reach the pole
were Commander Peary and one Es-
kimo, Eging Wah by name The 9TH
er white members of the various par
ties that left Cape Columbia were
sent back one by one as Peary drew
nearer daily to his objective Mat
thew Henson and three ESkimoS the
only other members of the reduced
party that made the final dash. were
left one march south of the pole. Capt.
Robert A. Bartlett and George Borup
started February 27. from Cape Co
lumbia with number of ESkimos
and dogs on the march across the
ice, heading north. On March L. Com
mander Peary left Cape Columbia
with his party, consisting of seven
white men. IL EskimOs and 1876 dogs
On March 4. Peary came up with
Bartlett, who had pitched his camp
at the side of a lead of water which
it was impossible to cross. The COM
bined parties had to wait until March
IL, seven days before further progress
was possible. The sun was seen for
servation showed that the explorers
were a short way from the Saith
parallel. The supply of alcohol was
running short. and Borup returned to
Cape Columbia for fresh stock.
March IA Borup overlook Peary again
and brought supply of oil and alco-
hol. The division under Prof. Ross G.
Marvin joined Peary the same day.
At this point Prof. Ronald B. McMil-
Ian was sent back. his feet having
badly frozen. Borup returned to land
from 1925 with two Eskimos. The
party now consisted of IL men. ten
sledges and 85 dogs.
Bartlett and Rest Return.
Bartlett was still beating out the
trial two days ahead of Peary. Mar
vim took observations at S5-4S and
then started on his return march. On
the next march Bartlett made rec
ord trip, covering 20 miles. This
brought him to 85.3S. The party now
consisted of Peary, Bartlett, Matthew
Henson, the colored man who has
been Peary'S personal assistant on so
many of his expeditions; the Eskimos,
seven sledges and 60 dogs, and the
journeq northward was resumed. The
ice was perfectly level as far as the
eye could see. Bartlett took the OBJ
servation, on the S5th parallel on
April 2, and then reluctantly return
ed, leaving Peary, Henson and three
Eskimos, with provisions for 40 days,
to make the final dash to the pole.
This reduced party started the morn
ing of April g. The men walked that
day for ten hours and made 20 miles.
They then slept near the seth paral-
lei. While crossing a stretch of young
ice 300 yards wide the sledge broke
through. 1t was saved, but two of
the Eskimos had narrow escapes from
drowning.
The ice was still good, and the dogs
were in great shape. They made as
high as 25 miles a day.
The next observation was made at
1925. The next two marches were
sighted on the third march, and an
observation showed 1857.
The pole was reached April 6, and
a series of observations were taken
at 90. Peary deposited his records |
and hoisted the American flag. The
zero, Fahrenheit. The pole appeared |
as a frozen sea. Peary tried to take |
a sounding but got no bottom at
1900 fathoms.
Peary stayed at the pole for thirty |
four hours and then started on his |
return journey the afternoon OF
April Z.
on the return the marches was con-
-inuous and Peary and the E,skimos
suffered greatly from fatigue.
They had their first sleep at the end
Of the eighth march from the pole in
The Igloos left by Bartlett; here there
was a violent snow storm
Slept for Two Days.
Or Apri: %, the party reached the
vertical edge of the land ice west of
cape Columbia. The Eskimos were de-
lighted to reach land and the party
slept for two days. They repaired their
sledges, rested their dogs, and resuming
the Journey, reached the Roosevelt
April 27.
Marvin left Peary on the way up on
March 26, to return to the ship.
He had with him two EskimoS and II
logs. The story of the professor s
Ieath was obtained from one of the
Eskimos April TO- Marvin was As miles
rom Cape Columbia He started out
hat morning, walking ahead. The Es-
kimos were delayed In packing the
siedges a fact that permitted Marvin |
@ get good start on them.
When the Eskon1os arrived at an
,pep lead they notice that the young
ce was broken about 25 yards out and
hey saw what looked like a mans body
loating in the center of the lead. OW-
pg to the treacherous condition OF the
They returned to the Roosevelt and re-
sorted.
Captain Bartlett then went back to
he point they designated and recov- |
red Prof Marvin's spare boots, cloth |
rg ana personal belongings. which were
,ad LEFT them The superstitions of
heir race prevented the. natives from
Bringing the dead mans effects with |
prof. Marvin's records and observa-I
IONS were saved
MAY BOTH BE WRONG.
That Is opinion of French Scientist on
Pearv-COOIx CDnfroversv