The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-10-07
Will Discuss COOk-Peary Pole
Controversy.
HE'S WELL QUALIFIED
Has Been in Arctic Regions With
Beth Explorers.
Heldfng Conference With His
Friend DIR. Cook Today.

are JOu going TO Ine Dyche lee
ture?" is common question heard
on the streets today and indications
point to a large gathering at the Aud
itorium tomorrow evening. Cook
and Peary and Discovery of the
North Pole" is a topic In itself that
would naturally tend to awaken in
terest at this time. but as the speaker
is probably better fitted to discuss the
topic than anyone living aside from
the men who are actual contestants
for polar honors, 1t is not surprising
that interest should be particularly
keen And then the professor is a
Kansan and this fact will also tend
as an enthusiasm producer.
Born on the banks of the Waka-
rusa, cared for by the tender hands
of Indian squaws. and initiated into
the rough frontier life of the pioneer
days of Kansas at an early age.
Lewis Lindsay Dyche was peculiarly
fitted for the expeditions of scientific
adventure and research which he af-
terwardS took up.
At the age of nine young Dyche
was hunting and trapping along the
banks of the Wakarusa, with his dogs
for companions and the birds and
beasts and their ways to study in
place of text books. He would spend
hours in the woods keenly observing
the peculiar traits of the animal and
insect life of the forest, so work was
as natural to him as play to other
boys.
At this time the alphabet was un-
known to him, but at IL he learned
the rudiments of reading. At 16 he
was tall, well developed fellow from
a physical standpoint BY this time
he had accumulated the sum of $500
by selling the skins of animals he
had trapped, and he determined to
secure an education.
Got Inspiration in Lawrence.
For three years the young
naturalist was a student at the State
Normal school at Emporia after
which he and a companion went-to
Lawrence in a covered wagon where
they did their own housekeeping until
the cold weather set In. This was a
means of keeping down expenses
while taking advantage of the edu-
cational advantages of the State uni
versity.
collecting insects for Professor F. H.
Snow and displayed such adaptability
that he soon was placed on the pay
roll at the university. On expeditions
gained his reputation in New Mexico
as a hunter of big game. Over the
Rockies he and William Harvey
Brown, who afterwards traversed the
roamed, and young Dyche had his
first encounter with bear.
Since that time the professor has
enjoyed the thrill of expeditions by
the dozen, in Colorado, British
Columbia, the Arctic region, and else
where.
He is intimately acquainted with
both Cook and Peary and has been a
travelling companion of both OF these
explorers on hazardous expeditions.
AS has before been stated in 1894 the
naturalist was with DR.. Cook when
the latter reached a latitude of 80 de-
grees, and on this expedition was
three times, being res
cued from the steamer Miranda as
the vessel was sinking. The next
year, on account of his knowledge OF
the frigid regions, he was placed IN
of the Peary relief expedi-
ton. During his polar expeditions
he had many interesting hunting ad-
ventures of which he will tell in his
lecture. His walrus and polar bear
bagged in that land Of ice make
most interesting display at the
natural history museum at X. u. He
will see Cook at Kansas City today
and hear his lecture this evening.
Seats are on sale at Stansneld's as
long as they last for the Dyche lee
ture at the Auditorium tomorrow
night. No extra charge is being made
for reserved seats.