Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-09-09
TWO NORTH POLES
IN A SINGLE WEEK.
Or. COOKS CLAIM FOLLOWED
BY ONE FROM PEARY

Reached the Pole, He Says. April 8,
1909, and Found no Trace Of Cook
Ahead OF Him - Brief Announce
ment, Only, Thus Far--Dr. Cook
lionized at Copenhaeen--tils Sto-
~ Is Generally Credited, Though
Some Still Ooubt--t4ow the Pole
Was Reached and How il Looked
--Honors and Money Await Him.
Within q single week, the world has
been startled by the announcement of
two separate and distinct discoveries OF
that long-sought goal, the North Pcle.
Last weeks report from DIR. F. A. Cook
OF Brooklyn to the effect that he, on
April 21, 1908, reached the Pole and left
the American flag there was followed on
Monday OF this week by telegraph mes
sages from Commander Robert K. Peary
asserting that on April 8, 1909, be planted
the Stars and Stripes on the top Of the
world. Commander Peary, who had
made several unsuccessful attempts to
reach the Pole, started in the fall of 1907
in the steamer Roosevelt, with an elabor-
ate equipment, and until now has not
been heard from for many months. He
found, be says, no trace OF DR.. Cook ia
the vicinity Of the Pole and did not
know Of his reputed discovery until he
reached civilization.
DR.. Cook reached Copenhagen, Dem
mark, last Saturday from Greenland. He
found a royal welcome in store for him.
The king of Denmark rendered him a
banquet at his palace. Geographers and
scientists let their enthusiasm over him
fow unchecked. The people greeted him
like a conqueror. He received congratu u
lations from President Taft, and from
friends and admirers the world over.
Or. Cook behaves very modestly. His
| frankness goes far to assure those who
might be sceptical, for his story is 90
largely unsupported that 1t Is bound to
be doubted, for time at least. DIR. Cook
went north with a hunting expedition
and only himself knew that be intended q
dash to the Pole. In the winter of 1908,
leaving his only white companion be
hind. be strdck out with two Esqui.
maux and q large outfit OF dogs. He
took q new route, further to the west
ward, and claims that by so doing he wal
aided by the direction Of the ice drift
He also found it easier travelling in
winter than in summer He was able tS
average ten miles q day and pushed OF
until be reached the Pole. All about hin
/ was ice, the frozen surface OF the Polai
sea. He took observations and left at thi
Pole brass cylinder containing q smal
American flag and q record of his trip
He then, after two days stay, made BIZ
way back. He has been until now reach
ing civilization, delayed by inability t.
connect with a vessel.
The Esquimaux who were with Cool
were interviewed by Danish officials o
Greenland and confirmed Cooks story
claiming they reached the "Big Nail" q
they call it. Cook took careful observa
tions and these have been verified by th'
leading scientific authorities of Copenha
gen, who say they prove Cooks story be
yond doubt. The king Of Denmark be
slowed gold medal on Cook, given b!
the Geographical society. He has beer
offered $3.50, 900 for $50 lectures by al
American manager, with other hug
offers for his 400 photographs and hi
book which he is writing.
DR.. Cook is we'll known As q Polar ex
plorer and mountain climber. Those &C
quainted with him pin complete faith il
his achievement. He will arrive in thi
country during the present month.
Almost at the moment when DR.. Cool
was basklng IN the presence OF royalt.
and receiving homage due the finder o
the worlds remotest nook. there cam
another message flashing from the north
ssstars and Stripes nailed to North Pole
Peary." II reported another discover
by another intrepid Polar traveller. 9th
er short messages followed, fixing th
date as April OF the present year or al
most year after Cook claims to hav
been there. Particulars from Peary ar
eagerly awaited, but there Is no question
OF the geDuineness OF his discovery. Coo
takes 1t complacently, says be is glad 70
his friend Peary and that the latter's de
scription of the Polar surroundings vii
bear out his own. Peary is now hasten
ing down in the Roosevelt. From pres
ent indications, there will be stron
effort to discredit Cooks story by Pear
and his friends.