Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1909-09-20
PEARY WAS MISLEAD
DR.. COOK TELLS HOW PEARY WAS
MISLEAD.
Believes His Evasion of BOatSwain
r1urphv'S Que StiOnS at AnnoOtOk
Responsible for Rivals DcRunCia-
fiOn. His Talk the Only Basis for
Rank Charges.

On Board the Steamship Oscar H.,
at sea, via wireless, Saturday, Sept.
1S.--Dr. Cook discussed freely the
assertions of Commander Peary that
he (Cook) had never reached the
North Pole.
When he departed for the North,
DR.. Cook said he left provisions at
AnnOotok, north of Etah, in charge
of Rudolph Francke and several
Eskimos. Francke had instructions
to go South aboard a whaler ard re-
turn later. This he did, but missed
the returning vessel owing to a slight
illness. He then was taken aboard
Peary's ship, the Roosevelt, and pro-
ceeded North.
Commander Peary found my sup
ply depot at Annootok," DR.. Cook
continued, ''and the Eskimos in
charge told him that | was dead,
which they fully believed to be true
at the time.
'Peary placed two men in charge
of the depot, Boatswain Murphy and
Harry Whitney, the New Haven hun
ter also remained there. Murphy
had orders not to search for me- but
was told that he could send E,skimos
northward the following sping.
when I returned from the pole
unexpected, Harry Whitney was the
first to see me and tell me what
had occurred. Whitney was placed
in possession of the facts concerning
my journey to the pole on condition
that he would not inform Command
er Peary or his men of them. At the
same time the Eskimos who had ac-
companied me North We're told to
when l went into the depot there
was a dispute between myself and
Murphy, who delivered to me written
instructions he had received from
Peary, although he himself could
neither read nor write. These in
structions showed that he was MAX
ing trading station of my depot, the
contents of which had been used in
trading for furs and skins"
DR.. Cook said he was intensely an
noyed at this use of his supplies and
threatened to kick out Murphy and
his companions. Finally, however, he
consented to their remaining at the
depot, as there was no other shelter
for them.
"On one occasion Murphy asked me
abruptly:
Have you been beyond S7?
But l was determined not to let
Peary know of my movements and
replied evasively that l had been
much farther North. From this state
ment has been concocted the declara-
tion that said that | had not reach
ed the pole"
| DR.. Cook declared that neither Har-
Try Whitney's nor his (Cook's) re-
|
welt and that therefore Pearys in
formation concerning him emanated
from Boatswain Murphy, who knew
nothing of his movements. DR.. Cook
said he had arranged for two Eski-
mos who went with him to the pole
and Knud Rasmussen, whom he met
! ;,, ~ ,l,,, " ,,,l- -
confirm the story of his discovery.
DR.. Cook says he has given the
Danish government proofs of his
achievements and now is prepared to
lay these proofs before a competent
body in America.
DR.. Cook expressed astonishment
that the news of the discovery had
created such sensation and is
anxious to learn what specific declar-
ations Commander Peary has made TO
minimize his exploit. He said he
said he could have reached civiliza-
| tion at the end of August, but was
occupied with his writings
| THE journey was nothing really
wonderful" he said. Il used no new
devices or inventions. l had, how
ever, every necessary instrument. The
reason for my success is that I re-
turned to the primitive life-in fact
became a savage, sacrificed all COM
forts to the race for the pole
If your head aches. drop IN at the