The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-09-23
As He Journeys Across the
State to His Home.
WILL TALK NO MORE.
The Commander Will Refrain
From Making Amy Speeches
And Is Keeping Silent Regard
ing DIR. Cooks Exploit.

North pole, he touched American soil.
Although Vanceboro village has but
a few houses and stores in addition
to the railway station people from all
sections of the township were on
hand to see the train arrive.
AS the train crossed the Canadian
boundary line, which is only 500 feet
distance from the Vanceboro station
of the Maine Central railroad, the
event was heralded by the explosion
of a number of railroad torpedoes
which had been placed on the rails.
At the sound of the detonations all
of the activities ceased in Vanceboro
and practically every one of the $50
inhabitants of the town rushed to the
station. School was dismissed and
the children, each carrying an Ameri-
can flag, and a bouquet of flowers
were marched down to the train.
Greeted With Cheers.
AS Commander and Mrs Peary ap-
peared On the platform of their special
car they were greeted with enthusiastic
cheers and were showered with flowers
while the children waved their banners
o'clock and departed at 10 O'Clock
Peary acknowledged the welcome by
speaking briefly, addressing his remarks
principally to the children. It was the
a
since leaving Cape Breton.
The explorer barred his head and
thanked Principal Ralph Reed of the
local school for the honor of the recep-
ton. 1t was not one man who sue
ceeded In reaching the pole, said Com
mander Peary, but the stars and stripes
that accomplished the achievement.
Commander Peary said it was the peo-
pie of the United States behind him
that made his achievement possible.
Commander Peary again asserted that
his work in the Arctic was over and
when asked what his immediate plans
We're, said that beyond his return to his
home on Eagle island, he did not know
what he would do.
Il shall not accept any invitations
70 any ovations or receptions" said
Peary, until a competent authority
has settled the present controversy.
IN TINS connection let me say that the
decision of this authority must be fin
al, absolute and convincing. I can
not say what this court of final resort
shall be, but that can be determined
later
Speaking of the receptions at Ban
gor and Portland, Commander Peary
said:
Those engagements were made be-
fore 1 reached Sydney and while I
have decided to accept no public hon
did not under the circumstances, re-
call the acceptances of the Bangor
and Portland engagements
Inc Peary party passed through ST.
few minutes between trains. several
hundred people gathered around the ex-
plorer and congratulated him on his
success.
The commander. it is said will refrain
from making any speeches.
Commander Peary is keeping his own
counsel with regard to the information
he has obtained on the main. question,
Did Did Dr. Cook find the pole?"
The explorer will probably remain at
Eagle Bay several days and during that
time viii assemble the records he has
made On the trip to the pole.
Showered With Flowers.
Old Town, Me-, Sept 23.-Amid the
booming of cannon, the Ginning of
bells and the footing of horns the
train carrying Commander Robert E.
Peary stopped at the railroad station
here this afternoon. Two thousand
people turned out carrying flags and
banners. All cheered as the comman-
der appeared On the rear platform of
his. car. After a few brief remarks by
the explorer, the train pulled out amid
a shower of flowers.
Henson Falls Into the Sea.
Arctic steamer Roosevelt left North
Sydney at midnight last night on her
journey to New York. Hundreds cf
steam craft whistled their farewell and
as a further act of courtesy, Captain
Dickson of the Canadian government
steamer Tyrian took the pilots position
on the bridge of the Roosevelt and
guided her for several miles out of the
harbor
Shortly before the Roosevelt pulled
out Matthew Henson, Commander
Peary's colored body guard, leaned
over the side of the Roosevelt to
shake hands in farewell with Chief
Engineer Swicker of the Tyrian, who
was standing on the deck of a launch
Swicker has a grip like a wise and
he held fast to Hensons hand as the
Roosevelt swung away. Henson
could not release his hold and he was
drawn over the side of the Roosevelt
and fell into the sea. He was prompt
ly fished out however, by Swicker.
Peary Poses for a Picture.
ST. Johns, N. b, Sept. 23.-Commander
Robert E. Peary. accompanied by his
family and a small army of newspaper
arrived here at 6:35 a.
m. today from Sydney, N. s. Fifteen
minutes later the party left on the
Provincial express for Portland, Me-
from which point Commander Peary
will proceed to his summer home on
Eagle Island at the mouth of Casco
bay.
The brief quarter hour the explorer
remained in ST. John was spent in
granting interviews to- the local news
paper men and in hastily glancing at
the morning papers. Commander Peary
at the request of the newspaper men
posed on the rear platform of the train
for his picture. Owing to the early
hour, but a small crowd was at the sta
ton.
Continued on Page Sikh