The mirror. (Stillwater, Minn.) 1894-1925, 1909-10-14
Celebrating
In the arctic
A Performance Given at Herschel
Island Three Years Ago and
How it Was Done.

lSland lnree Years Ago and
How it Was Done.
Three years ago, on the Fourth of
July, the writer found himself on a
small island in the Arctic Ocean, with
some four or five hundred other sailors
who belonged to the Pacific Whaling
Fleet. All of us had spent winter in
the ice, the ships having been frozen in
the first part of September, 1905. On
that day all of those men were on shore
for one purpose: To celebrate the
Fourth. While thousands of miles
away, and all over the United States,
peop'e were celebrating this glorious
day these men of the far north gave
cheer upon cheer as Old Glory unfurled
herself to the winds of the icy north.
The writer has dealt with this sub
ject for some time and, as one remark
ed, sit is getting Old" Still brief out.
line must be given in order to convey
to you under what circumstance we
were able to celebrate the day. The
island above referred to is calIei Her
schel Island and is situated at 74o north.
Three warehouses, the missionary's
house and about forty Eskimo huts
comprised the seal-estate. The popu-
lation consisted of aboat a hundred
and sixtyfive native men and women
and the sailors from off the ships, which
swelled it to over seven hundred per-
sons all told.
Early in the morning of the Fourth
a number of men and the ships car
penters constructed stage in one of
the large warehouses. On this stage a
performance was to be given in the
evening. Some of the material used in
building and giving this stage an opera
house look are interesting. For the foot
light effects the following was adopted
| A large steam p pc reaching the entire
length of tire front of the stage was
used. At intervals of about six inches
small hole was bored in the pipe ex-
tending clean across. Just back of
each of these holes bright piece of
polished tin which once belonged to a
long-forgotten can of some sort was
alta :hed. Into each of the holes a
wick was inserted. The ends of the
pipe were then closed and through a
large hole in the center the pipe was
filled with seal oil. All that now re-
mained to be done was to light the
wicks and the lamps on the stage and
the doors were thrown open to the
crowd Seats and benches were secured
from the Missionary, so that all could
be seated.
Before give you the. evening pro
gram shall take up the time leading
to it. Frecrackers we're to be found il
plenty, as most all the ships carried 9
stock of them just for this purpose
The poor huskies had hard time keep
ing away from those who thought I
dogs tail was the proper place on which
to fasten bunch of frecrackers.
church service was held at the Mission
, ary's house in the morning, at which
most of the men were in attendance
A light lunch was then served. After
, wards dinner on the ships. In tn
! afternoon a ball game was played
I score nothing to two. For the benefi
of the fans, will say that we ha.
: several professional players among ue
/ An old league player from Pittsburi
+ held down the position behind the bal
} while young student from Berkele
r did the twirling. The writer held dow
. first base in such a way that the oil
: Lacquer said l was capable of bette
. things than being on whaler.
! The doors to the opera house wer
e thrown open to all at about 7:30 p. M
f should have said warehouse. Th
: orchestra consisted of two violins am
8 small organ. Those who comprise
!, the players we're secured from severa
| of the different ships. The writer be
r ing placed in charge of the members
Q succeeded IN turning out the followin
i program: The show opened with tn