Vilas County news. [volume] (Eagle River, Vilas County, Wis.) 1896-1927, 1909-10-27
AN APPREclATNE AUDIENCE
GREETs ARCTIC EXPLORER
AT FULLER OPERA HOUSE.
PAYS TRIBUTE TO PEARY-sToRY
OF LONG JOURNEY BRIEF
LY TOLD.
REACHED PLACE WHERE ALL ME-
RIDIANS MEET-"BEYOND
WAS IMPOSSIBLE"
Madison. Oct. 2


DIR. Frederick A. Cook, the man who
recently became a figure OF internal
tionaI renown by his triumph in reach
ing the north pole, thus ending the
quest of centuries, addressed COM
paratiyely large and highly cultured
audience at the Fuller last evening.
The lecture overlooked with tales of
adventure, dramatic incidents, patriot
ism and even pathos. True to that
fine appreciation of dignity and gem
tlemanly demeanor, the successful ex-
plorer did not fail to pay tribute to
his unrelenting rival, Peary.
The first words of DR.. Cook, Il am
here to tell you how on April Fl, 1908,
We reached the north pole,'' elected a
storm of applause from the appreci-
ative audience The speaker charac-
terized the feat as one requiring
health, fortunate circumstances and
human endurance. Livelihood in the
quest must be reduced to that of the
simplest man. After expressing his
gratitude to the forerunners in polar
exploration Melvin, Greeley, hansen,
Peary and Amundson, DR.. Cook took
UP the narrative from the time of the
Quitting of the schooner, John Brad
ley, in New York, July 8, 1907
He told how the business of fitting
out the expedition concerned those di-
rectly interested and that the triumph
was given as public property, not to
receive the glory but to arouse inter-
est. He told how in loading the craft
nothing was omitted that was seri-
ously required. The yacht cleared for
New Foundland on July 10. Soon the
coasts of Labrador and Greenland
We're reached and here the grandeur
of polar scenery commenced with
its accompanying polar animal life,
walrus, seal and bears.
After reaching Anatook, the last
habitation of man was found. Here
50 persons were housed in seven or
eight skin tents They had enjoyed a
prosperous summer bear hunt aud
We're preparing for the winter camp.
A0ttA tAt4A AeiL was AOl1V(SSU III Sl6dG
plenty. Here goodbye was said to the
Bradley and the ships crew, and the
ensuing months of September and
October were spent in gathering sup
plies for the march northward The
temporary habitations of the party
We're made of packing cases. The
men, whites and Eskimos, were en-
ployed in securing seal, walrus, carl
bou and arctic hare for food and fuel
The women of the Eskimos were en-
gag cd in making the clothing for the
men of the skins of the game secured.
Sledges and harness had to be made,
as well as camp equipment, all to suit
the dreary environment of the frigid
desert.
DIR. Cook continued, reciting how he
selected a route other than his prede-
cessors had used. He argued that by
taking a westward course before
starting direct toward the pole, he
would escape the ice foes prevalent
in the east at that time of the year;
and also that if he did fail in his quest.
he would at least have record for
exploring new regions. On February
10, 1908, the march was started with
II men, los dogs, and IL sledges. A
night of four months was on, and the
temperature down to So degrees be-
low zero, Fahrenheit This march was
the most comfortable of the entire
expedition, however, for no winds
blew. travelling was good, plenty of
snow existed for houses and food was
abundant.
Gradually things changed, and by
March Is, food supplies were reduced
and pemmican,, dry beef, tallow and
tea were the only foods available.
Two Eskimos survived the others.
These were Etokoshuk and Ahweala,
young men of 20 years, both expert
enced in polar travelling. Twenty-six
dogs drawing two sledges only re-
manned for the march of $50 miles to
the pole. Low temperatures and winds
made life a torment New land was
discovered on November so, but want
of food supplies prevented explora-
lions. As the march decreased each
day the maddening influence of the
polar beauty as well as the merciless
driving of the cold spurred the party
onward.
Night disappeared in April and con-
tinuous day began. The observation
showed the party to be at latitude
$685. and longitude 942-only 100
miles left and, as computed, nine days
to make it in. A garphic account was
here given of life in the snow-houses
amid the monotonous and oppressive
dreariness. The story of preparing
meals was pathetic. Mirages of land
appeared daily, and at the last lap
one of the Eskimos became homesick.
but stoically, at the point where all
meridians meet. consoled himself
with the words. 1T is well done: be-
You'd is impossible" AS he told of