Los Angeles herald., 1909-10-29
IBy Associated Press !

HAMlLION, Mont, OcI. zS.-Ine
people of Hamilton and the surround
ing towns of the Bitter Root valley,
the home of Edward N. Barrill, who
made a sworn statement that DR.. Cook
never reached the summit of Mount
Mckinley, turned out en- masse to-
night to listen to the doctors story
regarding the ascent of the mountain
and hear a brief lecture on his trip
to the north pole.
Enthusiasm and interest were at
fever heat in the valley all day, and
when DIR. Cook arrived in Hamilton
this afternoon in an automobile, in
which he made the trip from Missoula,
he was greeted by a crowd that
thronged the main street.
He went Immediately to the Rayalli
hotel. The crowd quickly filled the
hotel to overfiowing and he was forced
to shake hands with hundreds of per-
sons and submit to having his picture
taken by numerous photographers.
Long before the hour for the lecture
tonight the opera house was filled,
and by the time the doctor was ready
to make his appearance the throng eX-
tended into the street, many strug
Cling vainly in an effort, to get within
hearing distance of the speaker.
Much Cheering
There was much cheering and the
reception accorded the doctor was en-
thusiastic. The speaker was intro
duced to the audience by Mayor
Drinkenberger.
At the conclusion of his story of the
attainment of the north pole, DIR. Cook
took up briefly the controversy which
has arisen regarding his ascent of
Mount Mckinley. He prefaced his re-
marks with this statement:
Satisfied that the people of Montana
believe in justice and fair play have
come into your commonwealth, not to
seek revenge; not to enter into a con-
troversy with men in whom l once had
every confidence, but to ask for fair
deal. There is no malice in my heart;
[ am not here to invoke the strong arm
of the law.
my veracity has been attacked by
men residing in this community. They
have fallen into evil hands and the
temptation was too great. They have
sold their birthright for silver, and
there probably was more than thirty
pieces.
Il am here to give my version of the
Mt Mckinley controversy and then
leave my case in the hands of an hon
est jury-the people Of the great state
of Montana. 1 will accept their YER
dict"
When Fight Began
Continuing, DIR. Cook said: "At the
time of my arrival in New York, after
two years and three months in the
Arctic regions, and when all America
was rejoicing over the double discov-
cry of the north pole, there began a
warfare to rob me of the glory of an
achievement which was and is rightly
mine.
confident that my rival had tri-
rI, Of a
century in quest of the great unknown
I, with all good Americans, rejoiced
in his success, and in Copenhagen L
declared there was glory enough for
two. Despite the bitter attacks which
have been made upon me my attitude
in this respect is unchanged.
"When this warfare failed the enemy
began this flank movement on the
climb of Mount Mckinley; men with
money to burn in the flame of infamy
entered the arena. Men of this COM
munity whom 1 had previously be-
lieved honest fell as victims. Their
statements were absolutely untrue.
"Stil, I nurse no spirit Of revenge
nor malice against these misguided
men. My counsel, however, has been
instructed to continue the investigation
until we catch the guilty money
givers higher up.
Attest Confidence
Hamilton and Missoula have clearly
shown their disapproval of this battle
of injustice. They have shown that
they do not believe this malicious turn
of rival powers Your fairness and
faith are a pledge of human nature
worth more than millions thrown into
the hell of bribery.
For the present I am willing to
trust my case to the citizens of Mon
tana as a jury. After you have read
the mass of testimony which my conu-
sci has collected I am ready to abide
by your verdict.
"Then, with a new expedition to
Mount Mckinley I will guarantee our
| future position.
my records are on the summit of
the Alaskan peak, and, accompanied
by unbiased, fair-minded men, 1 pledge
you my word that will again reach
the top of the mountain and bring
| back this unquestionable proof of the
| success of my former expedition"
----a~s-a--