The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1909-09-21
Taken From the Steamer Oscar II a.
an Early Hour This Morning
and Met His Wife and
Children.
ALL WAVING FLA
Freely Answered All Questions Fired
at Him and Explains Why
Peary Is Making His
Howl.


NEW YORK. Sept. 21.--Dr. Freder.
lex A. Cook, returned to his native
land today, happy, modest and unns-
suming, thoroughly confident that he
can prove himself the first discoverer
of the north pole.
DR.. Cook in word, took the edge
OF the accusation of fraud, hurled at
him by Peary. He did 1t In the same
calm and dispassionate manner that
has characterized his every statement
IN the face of conditions that would
have moved almost any man to anger.
He even went SO far as to express re-
gret that man of so many good quail
tiles as Peary has, should have made
himself ridiculous in the eyes OF the
world by seeking to ridicule rival
about whose achievements he knew
nothing. Cook said Peary's state
ments were based solely on informa-
tion that he had left at Etah with
Peary's own man, Murphy, which he
made purposely misleading for his
own protection. In very satisfactory
manner, Dr. Cook explained why he
took pains that Murphy would not
know he had been to the pole, even
though he did confide his secret to
Harry Whitney
When Cook boarded the Grand Re
public this morning, great crowds of
relatives and friends made concerted
rush for him. Captain Osbcn of the
Arctic club, so diminutive that he
could hardly reach Cook shoulder. led
the rush. He threy his arm around
the neck Of Cook and fairly shouted,
God bless Cook. We knew you could
do it." Up to this time Cook had not
spoken. He was affected and gasp
ed out: Il thank you" and the tears
glistened in his eyes as the band
struck UP Home, Sweet Home"
Some one threw wreath Of white
roses over Cooks shoulders and it re
manned there. Soldiers formed fly
ing wedge about DR.. Cook, his wife
end children and literally fought theil
way to the hurrican deck OF the yes
sci where DR.. Cook held an informa
reception, shaking hands cordial,
with every man, woman and child OF
board. Many OF the women Tough
their way to his side and kissed him
The crowd became so great that Mrs
Cooks veil was torn off, her ha
knocked aside and she was almos
pushed off her feet. DR.. Cook receiy
ed the same kind of treatment. AL
this time the Grand Republic, SUI
rounded by newspaper boats, tug
and pleasure craft, was making he
way up the bay and into the Mort
river. The steamer sirens shriekin
out salute. BY the time the Gran
Republic had entered the North Rive
Cook asked for a moments silenc'
Standing bareheaded on the hurrica
deck, his voice drowned out complete
ly every few moments by the whistle
in the river, he delivered a short an
stirring address which was receive
with tremendous enthusiasm.
QUARANTINE. N. Y. Sept. 21.-
The Danish steamer Oscar II wit
DR.. Cook on board is at Quarantine
arriving at 4:20 tlis morning. At SUI
rise the steamer was dressed in flae
and preparations made to receive til
committee expected on the Grand r
public. DR.. Cook was on tie saIo
deck. He looked we'll and his name
was modest and unassuming He fire
ly answered all questions but wou
not discuss Peary "Dr. Cook ha,
you your notes and data with you
"Yes," he answered whitney h;
my instruments and some supplemer
ary data DR.. Cook made 1t vel
plain that the New York paper viii,
is printing a serial story of his tr
will no. be able to give the particula
Of his final dash. He said that on
the account of the trip will be publis
ed until almost the pole is reache
the final account appearing in h
book. '"The book is finished" he sal
Il had four months in the north wi
nothing else to do and also TO
months with the Danish Greenlan
ers." He would not go into disc,
sion OF Peary's charges but said
would wait until he met him. Il ma
deplored the whole controversy.
will leave the public to be the judge
Met His Wife.
At $3.50 o'clock the steamer was 81
rounded by number OF tugs a
small CRAFTS laden with noon1c apvtn