The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-09-12
PEARY'S WIFE SAYS
HE WILL CLEAR ALL
Affidavits Of Rudolph Francke In Which Commander
Conduct Is Impeached, May Form Basis of
Suit Cook Backers Will Bring

furs) and clothed tie men in sheep skin
clothing bought from the money con-
tibuted by the public.
was very lair with ocary. From the
moment 1 heard that he was coming
up / did no more barterinS, so as to
give him an opportunity to secure all the
furs he needed for clothing for his men.
Instead of doing so he crates them uiJ
and sends them home The doctor %
the Roosevelt, thorough gentleman,
ordered him to allow me some pro-
visions. Some of them were received
by me, but most Of them were promised
and never received. SO that I soon had
10 buy some provisions and medicine at
Hoisteinhurg and TnrneVick
I was kept like a prisoner on board
the Erick. The captain did not allow
me to trade anything IN the liTfe of SOU
7venirs, etc. Discussing the matter I
found that Mr.. Norton chartered the
vessel for the return trip and therefore.
1 was a passenger on MT. Norton S yes
sci and not 'PeaTy's vessel. Going L . they
were not allowed 70 trade because Peary
traded off all the articles that be
bought with public money. and coming
home there was nothing left TO trs de
with; Peary had taken Il all. Il is now
plain 10 see how | was treated. ] wrote
letter in German az the end of October
10 MS. Peafy regarding her husband,
but, having received no answer al the
end % two weeks, had the letter trans
lated and sent IL TO her by registered
mall.
The letter 10 Mrs Peary protests
against her husbands actions in regard
10 DR.. Cooks property and relates
Francke's account Of Pearys insistence
that he report TO Mr.. Bridgman, Of the
Peary Arctic Club, in New York, before
he spoke TO anyone else upon his re
turn.
The affidavit continues:
l at FIRST decided TO keep this secret,
but IL you so desire YOU may publish
this information and Mrs. Pearys letter
written TO her by me. Neither DR.. Cook
nor l stand under any obligations tc the
Peary Arctic Club. They received far
more than they gave me or would give
anybody. The two men that Pcary left
at Etah guarded his stuff there and -
personal attendants 70 Mr.. Whitney. NJ
belief ~ that DR.. Cook will never return
20 Etah.
T. must be understood that the obliga-
lions are to DR.. Cook and not Mr. Peary,
for the goods were for Dr. Cooks use
and not for the spOTtsmen that paid
Pesry to take them up to the Arctic. AS
l understand, the depots or storehOuses
or provisions in the Arctic are Tor cX-
plOring parties who are in need OF food
and provisions, and not for the comfort
and pleasure Of hunters who are North
for sport.
This is the way the Peary Arctic Club
treat their people. Henry Johnson. one
Of the crew Of the Roosevelt. was dis
abled and sent home, and he has been
obliged 20 go TO the Legal Aid Society
In this city to get part OF his wages
and pay for his ticket. He IS still UNI
able 10 work. Should YOU see his f :
you can read more in II than can he put
on paper. Joseph G. White also return
ed on the Erick. He has also 10 fight
for his money.
RUDOLPH FRANCKE.
Tho gre+ q. eefdav-f+ h.. yH-bt+o No.. ~, IL
on November p Of last year, AID at that
time was intended simply 10 cover cer-
tain points regarding grievincee II
memb ers Of the crew Of the Roosevelt.
No thought was taken az that time Of
the possibility of a controversy betW cen
Dr.. Cook and Commander pea ~. and
White in a few words passed over the
events al Etah. where Frarcke was
found Since the Importance Of that
meeting has been recognized nv DR.
ment has been secured. White sas in
psrts
Captain Bartlett's Refusal.
came on board the Roosevelt June
p, 1908 hired by Captain Bartlett in
New York as able seaman. The agree
ment was that he was going tu take me
az far as Etah and send me back TO
New York, paying my passage. and ~
nothing turned up I could make the
round trip Two days before we left
New York some Of the hands went aft
and asked Captain Bartlett If he was
going 10 sign us on the articles. but he
told US that he would not do n.
July we left for Sydney, where we
arrived on the 18th and took coal and
provisions Cu board until the 18th. when
we left. in the afternoon. Before we LETT
we went aft and asked him 70 set