The Montgomery tribune., 1909-09-10

pole reached, Roosevelt safe"
(Signed) "PEARY.
This gave assurance that the vessel
in which Peary departed had passed
through the ice unscathed, but details
of his Homecoming and the date of the
discovery of the pole were still lack
ing.
Reached Pole April 6, 1909.
1t was not until the New York
Times had received dispatch later
in the afternoon that these vital
points were cleared up. The message
said:
81 have the pole April G. Expect ar
rive Chateau Bay, Sept. y
With this information at hand, it
was q comparatively simple matter to
ascertain that the April sixth refer
red to, was April of the present year,
as his present expedition did not start
from New York until July 7, 1908.
April G, 19O9--the date that Peary
planted the flag at the pole-and
April 81, 190S-the date that DR..
Cook unfurled the stars and stripes, a
year before, consequently become the
cardinal dates upon which exploration
Of the Far North will rest hereafter.
Though separated by nearly year,
the same feat was accomplished by
two Americans, neither of whom was
aware of the movements of the other.
Cook says that he found no traces of
Peary in the moving ice and according
to word which was received here
through Captain Robert Bartlett of
Peary's ship, The Roosevelt late Mon
day night reary likewise found no
signs of his reputed predecessor. How
ever. this ph tse of Peary's experien-
ces will not be thoroughly cleared up
on until a statement is obtained from
his own lips.
Just as DR.. Cook notified his wife,
so Commander Peary took advantage
of the brief stop at Indian Harbor to
assure Mrs. Peary of his safey. This
message, almost overlooked during a
day of excitement over his achieve
ment reached New York Monday night
from South Harpswell, Maine, where
Mrs. Peary has been spending
the summer it contained both a touch
of pathos and quaint reference to
his success. Have made good at
last says the explorer to his wife.
Il have the old pole. Am well. Love.
VIII wire again from Chateau"
The message is signed simply
Bert" an abbrevation of Robert,
Commander Peary's first name.
Mrs. Peary sent wife's character
istic reply, with love" and a blessing
and a request for him to hurry
home"
BY a strange coincidence in this
chapter of condolences, Mrs. Cook
was in South Harpswell, Maine, when
she received the first news of her
husbands success. Both she and Mrs
Peary had gone for months without
word from their husband but had
hoped and prayed first for their safe
return and secondly it may be CUES
sed for the planting of the flag at the
pole. In New York little preparation
has been made to welcome home Com
mander Peary, for so suddenly came
the news of his achievement thai
scientific societies were overwhelmed
While Peary's name was on the lips
of every one from the street urchin tc
the college professor, no formal meet
ings were held and no committees O.
welcome was appointed; but it is ex
pected that the Peary Artic club, the
, Explorers club and the Artic club
will begin preparations for the clebra
tion of the unprecedented event
Peary's exploit could not be discussec
from scientific view point becaus,
details of his dash to the pole arr
lacking. How fast he travelled, wha
great obstacles he met and overcome
what observations he took and wha
data he brings back with him Is as un
J availing as he were still in the frozel
north. 1t Is noted generally, however
that the home coming of the two ex
plorers, practically at the same time
will afford an opportunity for the com
parison of records never heretofore
J presented. For 400 years man ha
: struggled to reach the pole and nov
, two Americans bring back with then
, chronicles of their discovery and OF
4 servations Of the land of mystery.
Cooks achievement has bee
3 questioned and he has been charge
: by staunch supporters of Commando
Peary with conduct unethical for wha
: they termed his following in secrec
Y route which Peary had in view. Fac
+ faction now, however, has it's laurel
s and with animoslty buried the worl
at large will profit therefrom.
= reached the north pole. DR.. Coo
f was immensely interested and said