The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1909-09-16
HENSON TELLS OF HIS
TRIP TO NORTH POLE
Denies Report That He Did Not Accompany
Peory to the Coveted Goal = Says PeGry,
Himself and Four EsquimOs Reached the
Pole on April 6---Pl0nted Four Flags
And Led Eskimos in Cheering.

Battle Harbor, Labrador by Wire
less Telegraph by way Of Cape Ray,
N. F., Sept. 16.-"We hoisted the Stars
and Stripes twice at the north pole, .
said Matthew Henson, Commander
Robert E. pearys negro lieutenant,
and the only other civilized man, ac-
cording to Peary, who ever reached
the pole.
Henson gave TO the Associated Press
last night an account of the one night
and two days he and Commander
Peary and four Eskimos camped at
80 degrees North Latitude. Henson
personally assisted in raising the
American flag and he led the Eskimos
in an extra cheer for Old Cory in the
Eskimo tongue he said
Having spent eighteen years with
Commander Peary and considerable
part of that time in the Arctics," said
Henson, Il have acquired knowledge
of the dialect Of the Northern Green
land Eskimos, who probably are SUI
perior to any other. AS is commonly
known to travellers in the far moth,
the Eskimo entertains strange pre-
judice toward any tongue except one,
and it is therefore necessary for sue,
cessful dealing with them to study
their unwritten language.
I'VE arrived at the pole just before
noon. April 6, the party consisting Of
the commander, 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 degrees 5S
minutes, where we separated from
Captain Bartlett, who was photographs
ed by the commander. Captain Bart
lett regretted that he did not have a
British flag to erect on the ice at this
spot. so that the photograph might
show this as the farthest north to
which the banner Of Britain had been
advanced.
4 kept a personal diary throughout
this historic dash across the ice fields
Our first task on reaching the pole was
to build two igloos as the weather was
hazy and prevented taking accurate
observations to confirm the distance
Travelled from Cape Columbia. Having
completed the snow houses, We had
dinner, which included tea made on
our alcohol stove and then retired to
rest, thus sleeping one night at the
North Pole.
THE Arctic sun was shining when
awoke, and / found the commander al
ready up. There was only wind en-
ough to blow out the small flags The
ensigns were hoisted toward noon
from tent poles and tied with fish lines
We had figured out the distance pretty
closely and did not go beyond the pole.
The flags were up about midday, April
Z. and were not moved until late that
evening The haze had cleared away
early, but we wanted some hours to
take observations. We made three
close together
when we first raised the American
flag its position was behind the igloos,
which according to our initial observa-
tons was the position of the pole. but
on taking subsequent observations. tie
Stars and Stripes we're moved and
placed $50 yards west Of the first posi-
ton. the difference in the observa-
tions being due perhaps to tke NOV
ing ice.
When the flag was placed. Com
mander Peary exclaimed in English
We will plant the stars and Stripes
at the North Pole In the native lang
uage I proposed three cheers. which
were given in the Eskimos' own ton
que. Commander Peary shook hands
eli around and We had more liberal
dinner than usual. each man eating
as much as he pleased. The Eskimos
danced about and showed great pleas
ure that the pole at last was reached.
For years the Eskimos had been trying
to reach that spot but it was always
with them tiquelgh. which translated
means get so far and no closer
rhey. exclaimed in a chorus. ting
timah ketisher meaning We have got
there at last