Herald and news. [volume] (West Randolph, Vt.) 1878-1943, 1909-12-30


was heralded that DR.. Cook bad dis
covered the Pole, the first question was,
ftwbo is DR.. Cook % The answer came
from many quarters, DR.. Cook is an expe-
rieuced Arctic aud Antarctic explorer. He
has been president OF the Arctic club OF
New York. He performed few years
ago the unparalleled feat OF climbing
Mount Mckinley in Alaska. Leading
Polar explorers, including Peary, have
spoken highly OF DIR. Cook, his knowl-
edge, energy and fortitude. There we're
plenty who knew Cook well and who said
that they were willing to risk the genu-
ineness of his claim on his own nnsup-
ported word Though the report came
with startling unexpectedness, the youch-
ing that DIR. Cook received prepared the
public to accept it. Ii is a singular thing
that those nearest the scene OF the alleged
exploit gave it the most credence. Harry
Whitney, to whose snow hut way up in
the Arctic region DIR. Cook came q strang-
er one day pushing his sledge by hand,
believed it when Cook impaired ii to him.
Knud Rasmussen, himself thoroughly
familiar with conditions far north, then
in Greenland, Investigated the matter at
first hand, interviewed the Esquimaux
and believed it. His report to Copenha-
gen did much to smooth the way there
for DIR. Cook on his arrival. In Den
mark, Cook was thoroughly accepted. He
told a plausible story as far as it went
promised to submit indubitable proofs,
acted the part OF a modest man and quite
captured the Danes, who are hard-head-
ed people not given to raptpres. The king
of Denmark graced his banquet and high
scientific honors we're loaded upon him.
At this moment came Peary's note from
the North, 81 have found it % The pub
lie mind, already inclined toward Cook,
received Peary's announcement with
equAuimity, with perhaps little amuse-
ment at Peary's eagerness and lacks OF
knowledge that he was second, not first,
at the Pole. Then came Peary's blast
against Cook-"He has not been to the
Pole, OF out OF sight OF land. He is
handing the public gold brick" This
ran so counter to the popular view that II
cemented a strong prejudice for Cook and
against Peary at once. A controversy
over the discovery was in sight, and the
opinion held by many was that Peary,
disappointed in his long-cherished hope
of reaching the Pole first, had begun an
unrighteous crusade to cheat Cook out of
the fame he had fairly earned. Many
other things followed calculated to help
Cook and hurt Peary before the public.
Much of Cooks story OF his sledge
journey over the ice to the Pole and con-
ditions he found there was so similar to
that OF Peary's, with no possible chance
for Cook to rest 1t fictitiously upon
Peary's expedition, that it was readily
credited, even in scientific quarters.
30 the way was prepared for Cooks
homecoming, and his reception was like
that of conqueror. Thousands waited
upon him, cheered him, garlanded him
with flowers. He was feted like prince.
Fortunes were urged upon him for his
writings and lectures. The current had
meanwhile set so strongly against Peary
that he fingered in Labrador, apparently
unwilling to face the issue.
But there we're some who doubted
Cook, either for interest in his rival or
otherwise. These organized campaign
to rake up Cooks record as an explorer
and to discredit his North Pole story.
The Peary club Of New York camped on
Cooks trail. 1t developed soon that
Cooks Mount Mckinley achievement had
always been questioned by geographers.
Until now its consequence had not been
such as to warrant careful scrutiny but
everyone saw what bearing II might have
on the Polar exploit. II Cook had scaled
Mckinley, it not only established his in
trepidity, but went far to support his tale
of doing greater thing almost alone. II
he had not scaled Mckinley, he had, in
plain words, lied egregiously, and
faxed a story that be had been to the
trouble of having published in book
form. And II be had faxed this story, it
was easy to believe that he had done the
same thing in regard to reaching the Pole.
The Mckinley attempt was thoroughly
rsnsacked and !, soon appeared that the
weight of evidence did not support Cook.
Every one of his companions on the trip
discredited it, the last to go back on Cook
being the guide who, Cook said, Was the
only one to reach the summit with him.
He told Of the understanding with Cook
that the exploit was 10 be faxed, and ex-
planned how certain photographs we're
taken. His story fitted so well to that of
the others that those who followed the
matter began at last to doubt Cook.
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