New-York tribune., 1909-09-13
CHARGE AGAINST PEARI
FRIEND OF DIR. COOK SAYS
STORES STOLEN.
Brooklyn Explorer Bringing An
Notes and Records 1cith Him
to America.
to America.

Copenhagen. Sept IA remarkable letter.
giving Dr. Frederick A. Cooks version Of the
trouble with Commander Peary over supplies
appears in the newspaper '.POlitiken.' The let
ter was written by DR. Norman Hansen. a PROM
inent Danish physician. who several times vis-
ited Greenland to study eye diseases
DR.. Cook told practically the same story 70
one Of his closest American friends week ago.
before Commander Peary reappearsd on the
scene, but said that he did not intend to make tt
public because it might lead TO unpleasantness.
Dr. Hansen was with Cook for some time in
Greenland. and returned with him on the Dam
lsh government steamer Hans Egede. In his
letter he says:
Now that DIR. Cook has gone am no longer
under any obligation 20 keep silence and viii
exercise my right to publish the story about the
house in Annatok a story which DR. Cook him
self had too much delicaey to relate TO the
world I write 1t according TO my memory. IN
the same manner that Or. Cook. In Esedes-
minde. told it to me- and am fully convinced
that IN no details are my recOllectiOns wrong
"Dr Cook had built his house for stores In
Annatok. north OF Etah. and It was this depot
Wnlch he started 20 reach in February 1909.
crossing Smith Sound. II was a pretty large
house, the walls being built OF heavily filed
provision boxes, so that DR.. Cook knew that
when this important point was reached every
thing was safe He had. before the start, ar
ranged with young friend, named Whitney.
that ne have the right to use the house while
hunting musk oxen for sport. IN the winter OF
1905 90
when DR.. Cook and his two Esqufrnaus ex-
hausted and half starved. came within a shots
distance OF the house in Annatoz young Whit
ney came out 20 bid him welcome, but inside
the house was a stranger. giant Newfoundland
boatswain, on watch. This man had been placed
| In Or. Cooks house by Peary when the latter
passed Etah with his ship bound north. Peary
had given the bOatswain written order which
began with the following words: This house
belongs to Dr. Frederick A Cook but DIT. Cook
Is long ago dead, and there is no use TO search
after him. Therefore ]. Commander Robert Z.
Peary, install my boatswaln in this deserted
/ house
/ This paper the boatsWsin, who could neither
read nor write. exhibited TO Dr. Cook, and the
| latter took copy OF this wonderful document
This copy, however, he does not intend to pub
/ lish II Peary's course does not force him to do
so. Dr. Cook gave me a lively account OF how
| the young millionaire. lfr. Whitney, during tha
whole winter was treated like dog by the
giant bCatswain. and how he had calmly wit
messed the sailor barterins Dr. Cooks provisions
for fox and bear skins for himself. Dr. Cook
also had 70 put good face on the unpleasant
L
house. and make compromise with the boat
swain with strong fists
| DR. Cook made a present Of the house with
all It's contents 20 his two faithful Esquimaus
| with the proviso that Whitney was To have the
use Of the house as long as his hunting trip
| lasted. but he was compelled to lst the New
| foundland boatswain continue his watch. The
boatswain. however, received strict orders not to
| exchange any more of the provisions OF guns.
/ Now. suppose the sailor will celebrate his
| triumphal entrance into New York Harbor
aboard Peary's ship. while Whitney is-where9
Aboard his own yacht Jeanie? or perhaps he
has not wanted TO wait for his own boat and
has gone aboard Peary's ship.
''To Mr.. Whitney Or. Cook gave his instru-
mentS and his observations. as he thought these
| precious things were safer there than on the
| long sledge trip in the spring across Melville
/ Bay. but all his notebooks and greasy and sOiled
record books. which have been so closely writ
ten upon, he kept and carried with him. To me
who understand only very little astronomy
the records written down so closely and in all
| directions we're very hard to read; but what ~
| the record TO US? The two men, Peary and
| Cook. their character. their conduct that ia
what interests us. and every little item throw
| ing side light on their natures is valuable"