davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Little Trouble in Leads.

South of where Marvin had turned
back we came to where his party had
built several igloos while delayed by
open leads. Still further south we
found where the captain had been held
up by an open lead and obliged to
camp.
Fortunately the movement of these
leads was simply open and shut and il
took considerable water motion to fault
the trail seriously.
While the captain. Marvin. and as 1
found later Borup. had been delayed
by open leads. we seemed to bear a
charm and with no single lead Were we
delayed more than a couple of hours
Sometimes the ice was fast and firm
enough to carry us across; sometimes
short detour, sometimes brief halt
for the lead to close. sometimes an i'm
provised ferry on an ice cake. kept the
trail without difficulty down to the
tenth outward march.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Supplies Moved to Base.

In the February moon Bartlett went to
Cape Hecla, Goodsall moved some more
supplies from Hecla to Cape Colan, and
Borup went to Markham inlet on a hunt
ing trip. On February Is Bartlett left
the Roosevelt with his division for Cape
Columbia and Parr bay.
Goodsall, Borup, Macmillan and Han
sen followed on successive days with
their provisions. Marvin returned from
Cape Bryant on February II and left for
Cape Columbia on February 81. brought
up the rear on February %.
The total of all divisions leaving the
Roosevelt was seven members of the
party. 50 Eskimos, 40 dogs and % sledges.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Macmillan Turns Back.

At night Marvin and Borup came spin
ming in with their men and dogs steam
ing in the bitter air like a squadron Of
battleships. Their arrival relieved me
of all anxiety as to our oil supply
In the morning discovered that Mac
Millan's foot was badly frost bitten. The
mishap had occurred two or three days
before. but Macmillan had said nothing
about It in the hope that 1t would come
out all right.
A glance at the injury showed me that
the only thing was to send him back to
Cape Columbia at once. The arrival of
Marvin and Borup enabled me to spare
sufficient men and dogs to go back with
him.
On leaving the camp the expedition
comprised 16 men, u sledges and 100 dogs.
The next march was satisfactory as re-
CARDS distance and the character Of the
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Double Speed on Return.

AS matter of fact, we nearly did
this. covering regularly on our return
journey five outward marches in three
return marches
Just as long as we could hold the
trail we could double our speed. and
we need waste no time in building
new igloos every day, so that the time
we gained on the return lessened the
chances of a gale destroying the track.
Just above the eighty-seventh paral-
lei was a region some fifty miles wide
which caused me considerable uneasi-
ness. Twelve hours of strong easterly.
westerly or northerly wind would
make this region an open sea.
In the afternoon of the 18th we start
ed on our return. having double fed
the dogs, repaired the sledges for the
last time. and discarded all our spare
clothing to tighten the lads
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Borup Valuable in MANY Ways.

Borup not only made the record as to
the distance travelled during the jour-
ney, but to his assistance and his expert
knowledge of photography is due what
1 believe to be the unequaled series OF
photographs taken by the expedition.
Chief Engineer Wardwell. also of
the last expedition. aided by his as
sistant. Scott. kept the machinery up
to a high state of efficiency and has
given the Roosevelt the force and pow
er which enabled it to negotiate appar-
emily impracticable ice.
Mr. Gushue. the mate. who was In
charge of the Roosevelt during the abb
sence of Capt Bartlett and myself. and
Boatswain Murphy. who was put in
charge of the station at Etah for the
relief of Cook. were both trustworthy
and reliable men. and l count myself
fortunate in having had them in my
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Praise for His Aids.

AS to the personnel. have again been
particularly fortunate. Capt. Bartlett is
just Bartlett-tireless, sleepless, enthusi-
astic, whether on the bridge or in the
crows nest or at the head of a sledge
division in the field.
Dr. Goodsell, the surgeon Of the expe-
dition, not only looked after its health
and his own speciality of microscopes hut
took his full share of the field work of
the expedition we'll. and was always
ready for any work.
Profs. Marvin and Mcmillan have Sc
cured a mass of scientific data. having
made all the tidal and most of the field
work. and their services were invaluable
in
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Sea 1900 Fathoms Deep.

Five miles from the pole a narrow
crack filled with recent ice, through
which we were able to work a hole
with a pickax, enabled me to make a
sounding. All my wire, 1900 tathoms.
was sent down. but there was no bot
tom.
In pulling up the wire parted a few
fathoms from the surface and lead and
wire went to the bottom Off went reel
and handle tightening the sledges stan
further. We had no more use for them
now.
Three marches brought us back to
the igloos where the captain turned
back. The last march was in the wild
sweep of northerly gale with drift
ing snow and the ice rocking under as
we dashed over II
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Bartlett Leads the Way.

On the last day of February bartlett.
with his pioneer division, accomplished
this, and his division got away due
north over the ice on March l. The rest
of the party got away on Bartlett's
TRAIL and 1 followed an hour later.
The party now comprised seven men,
bers of the expedition, II Esldmos, 1873
dogs and 10 sledges. One Eskimo and
seven dogs had gone to pieces.
A strong easterly wind, drifting
snow, and temperature in the minus
marked our departure from the camp at
Cape Columbia, which 1 had christened
Crane City. Rough ice in the first march
damaged several sledges and smashed
two beyond repair, the teams going back
to Columbia for other sledges in reserve
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Ready for Final Effort.

With the disappearance of Bartlett
turned to the problem before me. This
was that for which had worked for 80
years, for which l had lived the simple
life; for which had conserved all my
energy on the upward trip; for which
l had trained myself as for a race, crush
ing down every worry about success.
In spite of my years, ] felt in trim
fit for the demands of the coming days
and eager to be on the trail.
AS for my party, my equipment, and
my supplies, 1 was in shape beyond my
most sanguine dreams of earliest years.
My party might be regarded as an
ideal, which had now come to realization
as loyal and responsive TO my will as
the fingers of my right hand
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Changes His Plan.

From this point the expedition COM
prised 20 men. 10 sledges, and 70 dogs. 1t
was necessary for Marvin to take a
sledge from here, and l put Bartlett
and his division in advance to pioneer
the trail
The continual daylight enabled me to
make moderation here that brought my
advance and main parties closer together
and reduced the likelihood of their be-
ing separated by open leads.
After Bartlett left camp with Hender-
son and their division, Marvin and I re-
manned with our division 20 hours long
err and then followed. When we reached
Bartlett's camp he broke out and went
on and we turned in. By this arrange
ment the advance party was travelling
while the main party was asleep, and
vice versa, and l was in touch with my
advance party every "a hours.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Heavy Running Ice.

Finally on September 2 we squeezed
around Cape Union and made fast in a
shallow niche in the ice. but after some
hours we made another short run to
Black cape and hung on to grounded
bit of ice. At last, a little after mid
night of September 5. we passed through
extremely heavy running ice into a
stream Of open water. rounded Cape
Rawson and passed Cape Sheridan.
Within a quarter of an hour OF the
same time we arrived three years before
seven a. M. September 6-we reached
the open water extending beyond Cape
Sherixlan.
We steamed up to the end of It and 1t
appeared practicable at first to reach
Porter bay, near Cape Joseph Henly,
which 1 had for my winter quarters, but
the outlook being unsatisfactory, / went
back and put the Roosevelt into the
only opening in the foe. being barred
close to the mouth of the Sheridan riv-
er little north of our position three
years prior.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Goinq Improves on Way.

Again there was a few hours sleep
and we hit the trail before midnight
The weather and going were even bet
ter. The surface. except as interrupted
by infrequent ridges. was as level as
the glacial fringe from Hecla to Column
bia. and harder.
We marched something over ten
hours the dogs being often on the trot,
and made 20 miles, Near the end of
the march we rushed across lead 100
yards wide. which buckled under our
sledges and finally broke as the last
sledge left it
We stopped in sight of the eighty
ninth parallel In temperature OF 40
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Pole Reached at Last.

/ had now made my five marches, and
was in time for a hasty noon observation
through temporary break in the Clouds
which indicated our position S9.57.
quote an entry from my journal some
hours later:
The pole at last. The prize of three
centuries, my dream and goal for 20
years, mine at last. / cannot bring my
self to realize it.
1t all seems so simple and common
place. AS Bartlett said when turning
back. when speaking of his being in
these exclusive regions, which no mortal
has ever penetrated before ut is just
like every day"
OF course l had my sensations that
made sleep impossible for hours, despite
my utter fatigue-the sensations of life
time; but l have no room for them here.
The first 30 hours at the pole were
spent in taking observations; in going
some ten miles beyond our camp and
some eight miles to the right of it: in
taking photographs, planting my flags,
depositing my records, studying the hori-
ION with my telescope for possible land.
and searching for practicable place to
make a sounding.
Ten hours after our arrival the clouds
cleared before a light breeze from our
left and from that time until our depar-
ture in the afternoon of April the
weather was cloudless and fiawless.
The minimum temperature during the
30 hours was 80 below, the maximum T.
We had reached the goal, but the re-
turn was still before us. 1t was essential
that we reach the land before the next
spring tide, and we must strain every
nerve to do this.
1 had a brief talk with my men. From
now on it was to be big travel little
sleep and hustle every minute.
We would try, 1 told them, to double
march on the return-that is, to start
and cover one of our northward
marches. make tea and eat our luncheon
in the igloos, then cover another march,
eat and sleep a few hours, and repeat
this daily.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Members of Crew Lauded.

The members of the crew and the
firemen were a distinct Improvement
over those of our last expedition. Every
one of them was willing and anxious
to be of service in every possible way.
Connors, who was promoted to be
bos'n in the absence of Murphy, proved
to be practically effective.
Barnes, seaman. and Wiseman and
Joyce, firemen, not only assisted Mar
win and Mcmillan in their tidal and
meteorological observations on the
Roosevelt. but Wiseman and Barnes
went into the field with them on their
trips to Cape Columbia. and Condor
and Cody covered 1000 miles hunting
o,5 cupnliaa
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Pass British Record.

We camped ten miles from Crane City.
The easterly wind and low temperature
continued. IN the second march we
passed the British record made by Mark
ham in May, 1S76-S2. 2O-and were stopped
by open water, which had been formed
by wind after Bartlett passed.
In this march we negotiated the lead
and reached Bartlett's third camp. Borup
had gone back from here, but missed his
way, owing to the faulting of the trail
by the movement of the ice.
Marvin came back also for more fuel
and alcohol. The wind continued, form
ing open water all about u.s. At the end
of the fourth march we came upon
Bartlett. who had been stopped by a
wide lake of open water. We remained
here from March to March IL.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Return on Roosevelt Beuins.

These instructions were carried out and
after their return in the latter part of
May Mcmillan made some further tidal
observations at other points. The sup
plies remaining at the various caches
were brought in and on July IS the
Roosevelt left its winter quarters and
was driven out into the channel back of
Cape Mon.
1t fought its way south in the center
of the channel and passed Cape Sabine
on August s. or 80 days earlier than in
1908, and 80 days earlier than the British
expedition in 1876
We picked UP Whitney and his party
and stores at Etah. We killed seventy
odd walrus for my Eskimos, whom
landed at their homes. We met the
Jeanne off Saunders island and took over
its coal and cleared from Cape York on
August &c. one month earlier than IL
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Make Ready for Dash.

By February 27 such of the Cape Colan
depot as was needed had been brought
up to Cape Columbia, the dogs We're
rested and double rationed and harnessed,
and the sledges and other gear over
hauled.
Four months of northerly winds during
the fall and winter instead of souther-
ly ones, as during the previous season.,
led me to expect less open water than
before, but great deal of rough ice. and
L was prepared to hew a road through
the jagged ice for the first hundred miles
or So then cross the big lead
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
First Handicap on Return.

Igloos there disappeared completely
and the entire region was unrecogniz-
able. Where on the outward journey
had been narrow cracks. there were
now broad leads. one of them over five
miles in width. caught over with young
ice.
Here again fortune favored us. and
no pronounced movement of the Ice
having taken place since the captain
passed. we had his trail to follow. We
picked up the old trail again north OF
the seventh igloos, followed it beyond
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Strike Ice and Fog.

From this point we had a clear run
through the middle of Robson channel
uninterrupted by either ice or fog. to
Lady Franklin bay. Here we encoun-
tered both ice and fog. and while
working along in search of practi-
cable opening were forced across to
the Greenland coast at Thank God
Harbor.
The fog lifted there and enabled us
to make out our whereabouts and we
steamed north through series of leads
past Cape Lupton, and thence south
ward toward Cape Union. few miles
off that cape we were stopped by inn
practicable ice, and we drifted back
south to Cape Union. where we stopped
again.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Ship Forced Aground.

We lay for some time in lake of
water and then, to prevent being drift
ed south again. took refuge under the
north shore of Lincoln bay, in nearly
the Identical place where we had our
unpleasant experiences three years be-
fore. Here we remained for severeal
days during a period of constant and
at times violent northeasterly winds.
Twice we were forced aground by
the heavy ice; we had our port quar-
ter rail broken and a hole stove in the
bulwarks. and twice we pushed out in
an attempt to get north but were
forced back each time to our precari-
,ous shelter.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Moves ExpeditiousIy.

/ had no reason to complain of the
going for the next two marches, though
for a less experienced party, less adapt
able sledges, or less perfect equipment it
would have been an impossibility.
At our position at the end of the Sec
ond march. Marvin obtained a satisfac-
tory sight for latitude in clear weather.
which placed us at S5.4S. The result
agreed satisfactorily with the dead reclk-
oning of Marvin, Bartlett and myself.
Up to this time. the slight altitude of
the sun had made it not worth while to
waste time in observations.
On the next two marches the going i'm
proved, and we covered good distances.
In one of these marches a lead delayed
us a few hours We finally ferried across
tho ice cakaS
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Shocked by Marvin's Death.

We reached Hecla in one march and
the Roosevelt in another. When we
got to the Roosevelt l was staggered by
the news of the fatal mishap to Marvin.
He had either been less cautious or less
fortunate than the rest of us, and his
death emphasized the risk to which we
all had been subjected, for there was not
one of us but had been in the sledge at
some time during the journey
The big lead. cheated of its prey three
years before. had at last gained its hui
man victim.
The rest can be told quickly. Mcmillan
and Borup had started for the Green
land coast to deposit caches for me. Be-
fore 1 arrived a flying Eskimo courier
from me overlook them with instructions
that the caches were no longer needed
and they were to concentrate their ener-
giles on the ideal observations. etc. at
Cape Morris X. Jesup and north from
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Temporarily Discouraged.

I came upon Bartlett and his party
tagged out and temporarily discouraged
by the heartracking work of making
road.
knew what was the matter with
them. They were simply spoiled by the
good going on the previous marches.
rallied them bit, lightened their sledges
and sent them on encouraged again.
During the next march we travelled
through a thick haze drifting over the
ice before a biting air from the north
east. At the end of the march we came
upon the captain camped beside a wide
open lead with dense black water sky
northwest. north and northeast.
The next march was also long one.
1t was Bartlett's last hit He let him
self out over series of large old foes,
steadily increasing in diameter and
covered with hard SNOW
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Few Handbags Are Faced.

few hours sleep and we were on
the trail again. AS the going was now
practically horizontal we were I'M
hampered and could travel as long as
we pleased and sleep as little as we
wished.
The weather was fine and the going
like that of the previous day, except
at the beginning, when pickaxes were
required. This and brief stop at an
other lead cut down our distance. But
we had made 20 miles in ten hours and
were half way to the eighty-ninth
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Sleep Finally in Safety.

Never shall forget that sleep at Cape
Columbia. 1t was sleep. sleep. then turn
over and sleep again. We slept glorious
ly, with never thought of the morrow
or having to walk and. too with no
thought that there was to be never .
night more OF binding headache.
Cold water to parched throat is moth
Ing compared with sleep to a numbed.
fatigued brain and body.
Two days we spent here in sleeping and
drying our clothes. Then for the ship.
Our dogs. like ourselves, had not been
hungry when we arrived. but simply life
less with fatigue. They were different
animals now. and the better ones among
them swept on with tightly curled tails
and uplifted heads and their hind legs
treading the snow with pistonlike regu-
laritv
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Put Up for Winter.

The season was further advanced than
In 1906; there was more snow on the
ground and the new ice inside the foe
bergs was much thicker.
The work of discharging the ship was
commenced at once and rushed to COM
pleton. The supplies and equipment we
sledged across ice and sea and deposited
en- shore. A house and workshop were
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Peary Denies Cook Claim.

Battle Hs-bor, Labrador (via Marconi
wireless Cape Ray, N. FL. Sept. 1O.-Do
not trouble about Cooks story. or at
tempt to explain any discrepancies In his
statements. The affair will settle itself.
He has not been at the pole on April
81, 1908, or at any other time. He has
simply handed the public a gold brick.
These statements are made advisedly,
and l have proof of them. When he
makes a full statement of his journey
over his signature to some geographical
society, or other reputable body, If that
statement contains the claim that he has
reached the pole, l shall be in posi-
ton to furnish material that may prove
distinctly interesting reading for the pub
lie. ROBERT e. PEARf.
Battle Harbor. Labrador (via Marco
nj wireless. Cape Ray, N. FL, Sept g.
The steamer Roosevelt bearing the
north polar expedition of the Peary
Arctic club parted company with the
Erik and steamed out of Etah ford late
In the afternoon of August is, 1908,
setting the usual course for Cape Sa-
bine. The weather was dirty. with
fresh southerly winds. We had on
board % Eskimo men. II women. and
10 children. 226 dogs, and some forty
odd walrus.
We encountered the ice a short dis
tance from the mouth of the harbor,
but it was not closely packed, and was
negotiated by the Roosevelt without
ReriOus difficulty.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Fine Morning for Start.

1t was a fine morning. The wind OF
the last two days had subsidized, and the
going was the best and most equable
of any 1 had had yet The foes were
large and old, and clear. and were sur
rounded by pressure ridges. some of
which were almost stupendous.
The biggest of them, however were
easily negotiated, either through some
crevice or UP some huge brink. I set
a good pace for about ten hours.
Twenty five miles took me well be-
yond the eighty-eighth parallel
While 1 was building my igloos a
long lead forward by the east and
southwest of us at distance of a few
rnilaS
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
Supplies Left for Eskimos.

AS for my faithful Eskimos. I have
left them with ample supplies of dark.
rich walrus meat and blubber for their
winter. with currants, sugar. biscuits.
guns, rifles ammunition. knives, hatch
cts, traps. etc.
For the splendid four who stood be-
side me at the pole a boat and tent
each to requite them for their energy
and the hardship and toll they UNDER
went to help their friend Peary to the
north pole.
But all of this--the dearly bought
years of experience. the magnificent
strength of the Roosevelt. the SPLEEN
did energy and enthusiasm of my party.
the loyal faithfulness of my Eskimos
could have gone for naught but for
the faithful necessaries of war fur
nished SO Loyalty by the members and
friends of the Peary Arctic club.
The Iuka vidette. (Iuka, Miss.) 1894-1912, 1909-09-16
the hfth. and at the big lead lost it
finally.
Eskimos Wild with Joy.

From here we followed the captains
TRAIL and on April 20 our sledges
passed up the vertical edge of the
glacier fringe, little west OF Cape
Columbia.
When the last sledge cane up I
thought my Eskimos had gone crazy.
They yelled and called and danced
themselves helpless. Az Ootah sat down
on his sledge he remarked. in Eskimo:
''The devil is asleep or having trouble
with his wife, or we never should have
come back SO easily"
A few hours later we arrived at
Crane City, under the bluffs % Cape
Columbia, and. after putting four
pounds of pemmican into each of the
faithful dogs to keep them quiet. We
had at last, our chance to sleep.