Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-09-16
Henson on Top of World;
Would Try for South Pole

BATTLE HARBOR, Labrador, by WIRE
less telegraph via Cape Ray, n. F., Sep
TENDER 16.-''We hoisteo the Stars and
Stripes twice at the north pole" said
Matthew Henson, Commander Robert e.
Peary's colored lieutenant. and the only
other civilized man, according to Peary.
w., ever reached the pole.
Henson has given an account Of the one
night and two days he and Commander
Peary and four Eskimos camped at 90 de-
grees north latitude.
Henson personally assisted in raising the
American flag and he led the Eskimos in
the cheers, and an extra cheer for OLD
Glory in the Eskimo tongue.
Can Talk Eskimo Dialects.
Having spent eighteen years with Com.
mander Peary, and considerable portion
Of that time in the arctic" said Henson
II have. acquired a knowledge of the dia.
lect Of the northern Greenland Eskimos
who probably are superior to any other.
AS is commonly known to travellers ir
the far north. the Eskimo entertains q
strange prejudice toward any tongue but
one. and 1t is therefore necessary for sue
cessful dealing with them to study theil
Unwritten language.
I'VE arrived at the pole just before moor
April 6, the party consisting of the com
mander, myself, four Eskimos and thirty.
six dogs, divided into two detachments
equal in number and headed, respectively
by Commander Peary and myself. We
had left the last supporting party at 81 de
grees o3 minutes. where we separated
from Capt. Bartlett. who was photo
grapbed by the commander
Capt. Bartlett regretted that he did moi
have British flag to erect on the Ice al
this spot SO that the photograph nigh,
hi orfh nrfh n ylrh n
the banner of Britain had been advanced
Henson Kept a Diary.
II kept a personal diary during this
historic dash across the ice field.
Our first task on reaching the pole was
to build two igloos, as the weather was
hazy and prevented the taking of accurate
observations to confirm the distance trav-
eled from Cape Columbia. Having COM
pleted the snow houses. we had dinner.
which included tea made on our alcohol
stove, and then retired to rest, thus sleep
ing one night at the north pole.
1.-THE arctic sun was shining when l
awoke and found the commander already
up There was only wind enough TO blow
out the small flags. The ensigns were
hoisted toward noon from tent poles dho
tied with fish lines.
I'VE had figured out the distance pref
ty closely and did not go beyond the pole
The flags were up about midday April I
and were not moved until late that even
ing.
THE haze had cleared away early, but
we wanted some hours to take observa-
TONS We made three, all close together
when we first raised the American nag
it's position was behind the igloos which,
according to our initial observations, was
the position of the pole, but on taking
| subsequent observations. the Stars and
Stripes was moved and placed 40 yards
west of the first position. the difference
in the observations being due perhaps tc
the moving ice.
Eskimos Cheer Old Glory.
When the flag was placed, Commando,
Peary exclaimed in English:
e" We will plant the stars and stripes a.
| the north pole In the native language
| proposed three cheers. which were giver
| in the Eskimos' own tongue.
Commander Peary shook hands al
around and we had a more liberal dinnel
| than usual each man eating as much a,
he pleased.
THE Eskimos danced about and showed
| great pleasure that the pole at last wa,
reached. For years the Eskimos had beer
trying to reach that spot. but 1t was al