The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-10-29
MONEY USED TO ROB
HIM OF HIS GLORY
EXPLORER at Home Of Barrill Brands
Affidavits Of His Climb as
Falsehood.

ing towns Of the Bitter Root valley,
the home of Edward n. BarrilI who
made a sworn statement that Or.
Cook never reached the summit Of
Mount Mckinley. turned out enmasse
to listen last night to the doctors
story regarding the ascent Of the
mountain and hear brief lecture on
his trip to the north pole.
Enthusiasm and interest We're at
fever heat in the valley all day and
when Dr. Cook arrived in Hamilton
yesterday afternoon in an automobile
in which he made the trip from Mis-
soula, he was greeted by crowd that
thronged the main street,
Long before the hour for the lee
ture last night. the opera house was
filed, and BY the time the doctor was
ready to make his appearance, the
throng extended into the street. There
was much cheering and the recep-
ton accorded the doctor was enthus-
iastic. The speaker was introduced
to the audience by Mayor Drinken-
berger.
AT the conclusion of his story Of
the attainment Of the north pole, Dr.
Cook took up briefly the controversy
which has arisen regarding his as
cent to Mount Mckinley He pre-
faced his remarks with this statement:
Satisfied that the people Of Mon
tana believe in justice and fair play,
/ have come into your commonwealth,
not to seek revenge, not to enter into
controversy with men in whom |
only had every confidence, but to ask
for a fair deal There is no malice
in my heart, / am not here to invoke
the strong arm of the law My YER
acity has been attacked by men re-
lsiding in this community They have
sold their birthright for silver and
I there probably was more than thirty
i pieces,
/ Il am here to give my version Of
/ the Mount Mckinley controversy and
then leave my case in the hands OF an
honest body--the people of the great
state Of Montana. viii accept the
\ verdict"
Continuing Dr. Cook said:
eat 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 discovery of the north
pole. there began warfare to rob
me Of the glory of an achievement
which was. and is. rightly mine.
Confident that my rival had tri-
umphed after nearly a quarter Of a
century in quest of the great un-
known /. with all good Americans
rejoiced in his success, and in Cop
enhagen declared that 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; mea
with money to burn in the flame Of
infamy entered the arena. Aen r
this community. whom | had pr
vously believed honest fell as vic
tins. Their statements were absolute
ly untrue. Still nurse no spirit OF
revenge or malice against these mis-
guided men. My counsel. however
has been instructed to continue the
Investigation until we catch the guilty
money -givers higher up.
Hamilton and Missoula have clear
ly shown tneir disapproval of this
battle Of injustice They have shown
that they do not believe this malicious
turn Of rival powers. Your fairness
and your faith is pledge of human
nature worth more than millions
thrown into the hall Of bribery.
For the present am Wiiilh6 y
trust my case to the citizens of Mon
tana as a jury After you have read
the mass of testimony which my eoun
sci has collected am ready to abide
by your verdict. Then. with new ex
pedition to Mount Mckinley ] vii
guarantee our future position. Ny
records are on the records Of th'
Alaskan peak. and accompanied b,
unbiased. fair minded men pledge
YOU my word that will again reael
the top OF the mountain and hfins
back this unqnestionable proof OF th'
success Of my former expedition.