The Birmingham age-herald., 1909-09-21
Details of Story of Polar Dis-
 coVery Are Made Known
PEARYS NORTH POLE FLAG
Flag is Twenty Feet Long With a Broad White Band Laid Diau- onally With North Pole
 Inscribed Upon It.

Sydney, N. s., September 2O.-The de- tails of the statement of William Pritch- ard, cabin boy on the Roosevelt, who said that Cook told him of the discovery of the pole, became known today Pritch- ard made the statement at Battle Har- bor on Sunday.
 In beginning Pritchard told the corres- pendent that Cook had talked freely 70 indicating to him a map the route he had followed. Later Pritchard modified this by explaining that Cooks story was told to Whitney and that he CPritchard) was present in the room. Pritchard said Dr. Cook had only two Eskimos with him at the pole. The language barrier made it impossible for Pritchard to talk with these Eskimos
 John Murphy the boatswain of the Roosevelt, who was ashore with Pritch- ard when pr. Cook appeared at their station, was greatly astonished when in- formed of Pritchard's knowledge. Murphy declared that Cook talked with him on several occasions about his trip on the Ice but said nothing about having reached the pole. Cook limited his information to Murphy to the fact that he had passed the eighty-seventh degree, which was Peary's farthest northeast In 1S96 and that the ice was rough up to s4 Ac- cording to Murphy Cook arrived at An notok with one sledge and two Eskimos but no dogs.
 Murphy Was Curious.
 Murphy was curious to know more about Cooks experiences on the Ice and later when in company with Whitney in the musk OK country opposite Etah he inquired if pr. Cook had reached the poe. The boatswain says Whitney told him he did not know.
 Pritchard said that the day when he heard the Cook statement Murphy was absent from the neighborhoo of Cooks camp.
 The only reference to Dr. Cook which Whitney is known to have made on his brief sojourn aboard the Roosevelt was a casual remark to the members of the Peary party that he believed pr. Cook had reach ed the pole.
 Pritcha ard, when asked if he knew before he came south on the Roose welt that there was going to be a con- troversy, declared Dr. Cook had ca'l- tioned him not to speak to anyone until he reach ed civilization.
 "The north pole flag" which Peary had made at Battle Harbor will be dis. played for the first time on the Roose- welt entering this port It is a standard United States flag of about 20 feet with a broad white band laid on diagonally from the union corner down. On the white ground are the words, North Pole" in black letters.
 Peary's Denial.
 Comma nder Peary has given em- ph hatic denial to the assertion credited to Dr. Cook that he told the Eslkimos at Annatook that Dr. Cook was dead, and that he consequently would take possession of the supplies left there by Cook.
 As nearly as can be ascertained from members of the Roosevelt's crew, the house built by Dr. Cook at Annatook and left in charge of Rudolph Francke was found unoccupied when the Roose- welt arrived. Francke was away try Ing to get passage home. his author ity for his departure being a letter he exhibited purporting to be from Dr. Cook from Cape Thomas Hubbard Dr. Cooks house had been empty for sew eral weeks and the supplies therein were being pilfered.
 Francke sought permission to return to the United States on the Peary auxiliary ship Erik.
 This was granted him, and he turned over an inventory of the supplies in Dr. Cooks house. Boatswain Murphy was then placed in charge of the house and its contents. He says he found that many packages had been broken open and their contents partially or. totally removed. The stores were checked and the house. which is built of boxes, was taken down and re-erected a short dis tance away on higher ground. the first location having proved wet and uncom- fortable.
 Cook Complained.
 When pr. Cook returned to Annatook he complained about the occupation of the house and it's removal to new posi- ton. M,hphy says he explained the sit- uation to Dr. Cook. who appeared sat- isfied, and 1t was agreed that the house should be occupied jointly. The boat swain says he offered to vacate imme- diately, but as everything had been sat- isfactorily explained, this was not thought necessary.
 Coming down from Battle Harbor. the Thomas parted company with the Roose- welt near Point Amour. At this time a northwest wind was filling the Roos- velt's sails and sending her along at good rate.
 Favorable winds continued throughout Saturday, Sunday and Sunday night, bringing the Roosevelt abreast of st. Pauls island at o'clock this morning.
 
 A Histrionlc Wedding.
 New York, September 2o-Joseph