Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1909-09-09
Dr. COOK T0LDOF
HIS DISCOVERY
Correspondent interviewed Explorer
on Shipboard.
We WAS STANDING ON THE POLE
He stopped Two Days at the MaIlc
Spot Taking observatlons--PIans
For His Entertain
E1ert.

AS the steamer Hans Egede steam
Cd by, caught through my glasses o
vision Of small man in a dark suit
and peaked cap shading his eyes with
his hands, as II straining to see the
welcome civilization after years IN icy
exile. It was DR.. Cook, the explorer
whose name Is on every tongue. He
was chatting with the captain on the
bridge, now smiling, now waving bis
hands. was allowed to board the
Hans Egede. ls
somebody gave DR.. Cook bouquet
Tears dimmed his eyes as he buried
his face in their fragrance. Its years
since have seen flowers said the ex
plorer with culver of emotion In his
voice.
! III followed him to the cabin. Hi
face was tanned from exposure. He
looked the picture Of splendid neaita
only when he smiled one noticed the
loss Of two teeth. "A fight with q polal
bear did that he said. You can tel
the world, the explorer continued
that l am in better condition than al
any time and look forward with an
annette to the festivities that are
promised me. My dinner has beer
poor these last few years, and snalI
have to makeup for it."
'Dr. Cook then briefly described his
Journey. Regarding his discovery ne
said:
"oThen came April p. That was
the great day. We looked for the sun
AS soon as we got It ] made several
observations. Great joy came over
M we were only 16 miles from the
desired spot. said to myself bully
for Frederick. Then we went on.
"'The last stretch was the easiest
ever made in my life, although ] had
st,ll TO make two observations and the
Ice was very broken here. But my
spirits were high and ! shouted Ike a
boy The Eskimos looked. at one an
other surprised at my gaiety. They
did not share my joy.
~ feel that ought to be there. J
made my last observation and found
that l was standing on the pole.
any feelings! Well, ! was toe
tired really to feel any sensation, \
planted the stars and stripes In the
ice field and my heart grew warm
when saw 1t wave in the wind
''How does the North Pole lookT
was asked. :.
We'll said DR.. Cook, smiling, II
amounts to the size Of rs cent piece
There is nothing to see but ice, ice;
no water, only ice. There were more
holes here than at the S7th degree
which shows there is more movement
and drift here; but this and other OBJ
ser7atiops l made afterwards-when
| got more settled. stopped two days
at the pole and | assure you II wasn't
easy to sany good bye to the spot.
Nearing Copenhagen.
Copenhagen, Sept. All Denmark
IL awaiting the arrival Of DR.. Frsde
rick A. Cook. A regal welcome awaits
no s,sn whnse announcement from
Lerwick on Sept. that he had dis
covered the North Pole startled the
entire civilized world.
The steamer Hans Egede( on which
the explorer is returning from the
frozen north has passed Cape Skagen
the Northern extremity Of Denmark,
and was expected to steam into
the sound late last night and to dock
here this morning.
Added interest has been lent the oc
casion by the definite statement Of Dr.
Cook IN an interview on 6kagen that
he is able to submit data which win
prove beyond cavil that he has at.
tanned the goal which for centuries
had been the objective Of explorers.
He said he was quite prepared TO
learn that Jealous persons were at
work endeavoring to cast doubt upon
his work but that he stood ready 10
give over his figures for test by any
scientific authority.
Americans Welcome.
New York, Sept. l.-America's wei
come TO DR.. Frederick A. Cook win be
made one Of the principal events Of
the Hudson.Fulton celebration II the
explorer can be persuaded to hasten
bis return 80 as to reach New York !
before the end OF September. To, this
end the board OF directors Of the h.
plorers Club held q meeting and sent
q cablegram urging DR.. Cook to be the
guest Of honor at the clubs Hudson.
Fulton dinner on September 30. The
message was sent 70 Copenhagen. 70
Be delivered when the explorer landi
thsre from the Hans Egede. II q fAy'
orable reply Is received steps win b
taken Il once 10 make September 80,
Cook day At the Hudson-Fulton cele
bratIon ana q substantial fund WIN BE-