Norwich bulletin., 1909-09-21

T of the Oscar II has decided to anchor and spent the night in Fire Island In- let where he will await the arrival of the steamer Grand Republic with tho members of the Cook reception com mittee on board early tomorrow morn- ing. Manuscript of Cooks Book Almost
 Complete.
 Dr. Cook spent today in preparing for his landing tomorrow. He is over ioyed at the prospect of again seeing his wife and family. He continued to receive many wireless despatches off, fering him large sums of money for lectures and articles. But he will ac- cept none of them until after his ar rival in New York. The manuscript of his book is almost complete, needing only slight revising
 ''It's Good to Be an American"
 Its good to be an American; 1t seems that I have been gone ten years"
 Gazing towards the lights of New York after rn absence since July 4, 1907 these were the first sentiments expressed tonight by Dr. Frederick A. Cook of Brooklyn as he paced the deck of the steamship Oscar II. waiting for daylight and the actual arrival in his native land. Dr. Cook is virtually at home tonight for the Oscar II is an- chored off Fire Island, marking time, as it were. in order that there may be no hitch in the homecoming reception for the explorer who reported via the Shetland Islands on Sept 1 that he had unfurled the American flag at the North pole on April 21. 1908.
 Only Sixty Miles from Home.
 Though sixty miles from the city proper. the oscar II was in wireless communication with New York during the day and night. Dr. Cook was on deck almost constantly and as sunset approached he gazed at the brilliant panorama, breathed the sea air and conversed. with newspaper men with brief halloa fin reply to their greetings through megaphone.
 Breads the Ordeal of Landing.
 q feel anxious to get ashore" he said to those who were grouped about him on the deck. Tt seems about ten years since I left instead of only two and a half but l dread the ordeal of landing tomorrow. l would prefer landing quickly and quietly without repetition of the scenes at Copenhagen. I hope that I shall be left in peacs with my family by tomorrow night at least"
 Reads the New York Papers.
 Some New York papers were broa lt on board this evening containing long reports concerning Commander Peary's achievements. pr. Cook read them carefully, then said:
 There is nothing new here and I shall wait until something more def mite is published before saying any thing further on the matter"
 Lionized Throughout the Trip.
 Aside from this short reference 10
 
 and tonight chiefly concerned the joy of his arrival at home. It was a day of varied emotion for the explorer and although he is not an emotional man. his eyes glistened as he saw the beach of Fire Island as the Oscar II passe close inshore and the passengers were able to distinguish plainly objects on land. Dr. Cook left the deck only a few minutes during the entire day and with continued good nature posed re- peatedly for photographs at the ur- gent request of his fellow passengers who have lionized him throughout the trip.
 Due at Quarantine at 8.3o.
 Many of those on board had gone to bed last night with the expectation of spending tonight in New York and there was some disappointment dis played when 1t became generally known that the oscar II. was to be held up in order that she might arrive at Quarantine about S.30 o'clock to- morrow morning to coincide with plans for his reception. Dr. Cook took advantage of the delay to send wire less despatch to his wife, asking her to come down the bay tonight and join him on board. thus to avoid the crush of the public greeting tomorrow Mrs Cook was slightly indisposed, however, and replied by wireless that she would be unable to come. This was a disappointment both to D-. Cook and the passengers who have become almost a family circle during the voyage and had looked forward to greeting Mrs. Cook tonight.
 Newspaper Men Not Allowed on Board
 The first tugs, bearing the advance guard of newspaper men from New York reached the Oscar II. tonight, but no one was allowed aboard the vessel except Anthony Fiala. the Arc tic explorer, and friend of Dr. Cook, who swung himself up from tug, held a brief conversation with the explorer and departed.
 The passengers. including pr. Cook, watched with amusement the vain att tempts of the newspapers representa- tives to get aboard, and Dr. Cook shouted: Glad to see you, boys!" as the reporters endeavored to make themselves heard through a meiil- phone.
 Cook Will Enter His Home-eity by
 Auto.
 It is evident that Dr. Cook wishes to avoid hilarious reception tomor row and his attitude may curtall some of the arrangements fin Brooklyn which have only been tentatively made pend- ing some announcement from him. The Osc,f- II will make her way slowly to quarantine so as to reach there about half past eight. There Mrs. Cook, accompanied by the two children, Dr. Cooks brother William, Dr. Roswell O. Stebbins. and J. Knowles Hare. of the executive committee of the Arctic Club of America, and perhaps one or two UtheYs, will be waiting on a tug which iwill leave New Yo/k early to- morroM morning.
 Dr. Stebbins and Mir. Hare have ob- tained permission to board the liner. After greeting Dr. Cook he will join his wife on the tus and will be trans ferred from there to the steamboat Grand Republic, which will carry a party of friends and enthusiasts down the bay to meet him. The Grand Re- public will take him to the foot of South Fifth street, Brooklyn, whence he will make his entry into the city by automobile.
 Noon Reception at 5ushwick Club. More than a thousand persons will he on the Grand Republic. hut the