Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1909-09-13
panied Peary's party. regarding the ac-
tions of Peary when in control of DR..
Cooks letters and. supplies, were OBJ
tanned yesterday.

panied Peary's party, regarding the ac-
lions of Peary when in control of DIR.
Cooks letters and. supplies, were OBJ
tained yesterday.
Upon the strength Of these affidavits
and other evidence one of the hackers
OF DIR. Cooks expedition has signified
mis- Intention of bringing suit against
Commander Peary for the values of the
articles said to have been taken from
DIR. Cook.
Francke in his affidavit states that
ne Virtually was prisoner of Paary,
that trunk containing DIR. Cobk's
messages and property was at Peary's
mercy. and that he (Francke) was
compelled to sign certain letters prais-
ing and apparently giving consent to
what was done.
White in his affidavit states that
when Francke first came aboard the
Roosevelt. scarcely able to walk, and
said that he had been travelling with
Dr. Cook, food was\refused him.
Supplementary affidavtts have been
made by the two men dealing more
particularly with the time when Peary
had possession Of Dr. Cooks trunk.
These probably will not be made e-public
until the rival claims of the explorers
are brought before some scientific
board for determination.
The first affidavit of Francke is made
up largely of the contents of a letter
he sent to Capt. B. 8. Osbon, secretary
of the Arctic Club. The affidavit refers
to letters over Francke's signature pub
lished in several New York newspapers
last November as those which l had
tr 70 Tfo1,
1905" The affidavit continues:
Made to Open Cooks Trunk.
TN this way am in possession of
my own letters.
Regarding the letters, Peary COM
PEELED me to write them Lots of times
he sent Mr.. Marvin, his secretary,
around to the Erick ito bring me on
board the Roosevelt to write the let
ters. did not want to write the let
ters, but I did 1t to keep peace. 1 said
to myself that was in Peary's power
and at his mercy. Lots Of things in my
letters are forced compliments
"Peary knew very we'll how to clear
himself of suspicion of appropriating
these furs, and will now try to show
you what mean. In my letter of Aug.
1os IcVcs WIOlS mo. Inc In
closed letter authorizes you concern
ing the five boxes, one bundle of mar
whal horns, and one trunk of furs and
one compass, and what to do with
them. This is all DR.. Cooks property
except one horn Why did Peary not
publish this letter? Dr. Cook wrote it,
TO whom it may concern, and those
who found them We're requested to
send the fllrs home."
"Now, what did Peary do after he
got the letters? He sent the Eslsimos
and some of his men down with two
boats to bring the stuff up. The boxes
were marked and 6 and DR.. Cooks
trunk was brought into Peary's ship.
was called from the Erick to Peary
in his cabin and I was compelled to
hand over. the furs to him. He ordered
me to open DR.. Cooks trunk, which I
was obliged to do. He wanted to keep
DR.. Cooks letter to me, but after sew
eral demands gave 1t back to me.
Il had to hand over the furs as the
enemy in war has to hand over their
arms to the victorious party. Some of
the furs were wet and mildewed, but
Of excellent quality, and nearly 200 in
number. Peary had no right to take
the furs and horns. He is an employe
of the Peary Arctic Club, not king of
the Eskimos"