The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-01-05
WAS ANDR[E FIRST
TO REACH IA POLE
Strong Evidence That He Got
TO Canada
Alive.
s---------,--
RELICS AT REINDEER {: LAKE.
EIskilno's Story Of White House
That Fell From
Sky.
RELICS AT REINDEER LAKE

PRINCE ALBERT, SASK., January 4.
bishop Pascal, OF the Roman Catholic
Church, announced yesterday that he,
had several official dispatches from the
Rev Father Turquetit, missionary for
Northern Saskatchewan and Mackenzie
River districts. telling OF the finding of
Andrec's balloon, 900 miles north Of
here. near Reindeer Lake in the Arc
tic Circle, by the EslSimos and Indians.
Many are OF the opinion that the
large white house covered with ropes
scribed by the Indians, is the balloon
In which Andree. accompanied by Dr.
IS. 7. Strindberg and Herr Fraenckell
sailed when they left In quest of the
pole over twelve years ago.
Father Turquetit speaks Creek. Chip
pewa and Blackfoot fluently and read
lily understands the Eskimo language.
He is stationed In the Far North, at
Reindeer Lake a settlement which Is
almost entirely inhabited by Chippewa
Indians and within about six days
travel by dog sleigh from Reindeer
Lake, or seven days travelling In a
northerly direction from Fort Churchill,
Is the Eskimo land.
The missionary was very anxious to
visit this new territory and to learn
something of the customs OF the Es-
KINDS and the superstitions of the
Indian tribes. number of Chippewa
indians offered to accompany him and
tho trip was made, the district being
reached after about eight days travel
Ing.
Interested In Revolver.
Father Turquetit carried small re-
volver and by this weapon he first re-
ceived Information OF white men hay
ing before visited the country. The
natives wero greatly interested IN tho
THAT looks like the thing that
white man had" said one of the Esli-
mos In his own language to his COM
panion.
Turquetit. The Indians handed back
the gun and drew away without say
ing anything. They refused TO speak
of the white man and appeared SUI
perstltious about their new visitors,
but the chippewas again talked with
them and found out what they could.
They were told that "a white house
had fallen from the sky, that 1t was
were in It" The Eskimos also told
where the house had fallen. adding
that the men who were hungry, had
died shortly after their arrival. The
Eskimos said they had used the ropes
and were still using them in padding
their canoes and fixing their tents.
All the time they appeared to be
hiding something and were not at all
anxious to speak OF their former
visitors. Father Turquetit. In relating
bis story. said that he was of the
opinion that the white men had shot
some deer or other animals after they
had arrived. and the Indians, becom-
ing angry, killed them.
Tell of Mysterious Stnr.
William Irwin. who. for fifty-seven
years. has had charge or the Hudson
Lay post at Good Hope on the AIocken-
zie River, is in the city, and he says
that one night light appeared over
the country and on the following
morning all the Chippewas in the dis
trict flocked into the Hudson Bay post
to tell of the large mysterious star
that had passed over the heavens SO
near to their tents.
They said they could hear voices:
also that the light was travelling very
low. They could see it for several
hours after 1t first came into view.
1t is generally believed here to-day
that this was Andree's balloon.
whom have spent lifetime in the
northern wllds. know that when such
! a story is circulated among the In
dams there must be a considerable
amount OF truth in It.
1t is well known that the Eskinos
to the north of here have q quantity
OF ropes, and they will not explain
NIT they have other relics from the
same source which are carefully hid
| den away.
The Danish consul at Montreal tele-
| Sraphed to this city several times yes
| terday in regard to sending out an
expedition to bring back the remains
| of the explorers, and 1t is said the
\ Danish government has agreed by
cable to pay all the expenses of such
| a trip and provide men TO take charge
| who are we'll versed in northern cx-
lploration.