Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-01-05
Northern EsQuimaux Tell
Of White House from Sky
Say Three Men Were in T..
They Have Many Relics.
Assert Men Died Soon After
Arrival In the Arctic Wllds.

Pascal of the Roman CdlHollC CHoi III
announced yesterday that he had sew
eral official dispatches from the Kew.
| Father Turquetit, missionary for
Northern Saskatchewan and Mac
kenzie river districts, telling Of the
finding of Andree's balloon, 900 miles
north of here, near Reindeer lake, in
the Arctic Circle, by the Eskimaux and
| Indians.
Many are of the opinion that the
large white house covered with ropes
which fell from the heavens as de-
scribed by the Indians, is the balloon
in which Andree, accompanied by Dr.
S. r. Strindberg and Herr Fraenckell,
sailed when they left in quest of the
pole over II years ago.
Father Turquetit speaks Cree, Chip
pewa and Blackfoot fluently and readi-
ly understands the Eskimaux Ian
guage. He is stationed in the Far
North. At Reindeer Lake. a settle
lnent which is almost entirely inhabit-
ed 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 EskimauX land.
The missionary was very anxious to
visit this new territory and to learn
something of the customs of the Eski-
maux and the superstitions of the In
dian tribes. A number of Chippewa
Indians offered to accompany him and
The trip was made, the district being
reached after about eight days travel
ing.
Father Turquetit carried small re-
!olver and by this weapon he first re-
.eived information of white men hav-
.ng before visited the country. The
natives were greatly interested in the
weapon and examined it closely.
That looks like the thing that white
nan had" said one of the ESkimauX
n his own language to his companion.
What white man." inquired Father
Turquetit. The Indians handed back
he gun and drew away without say
.ng anything. They refused to speak
VI the white man and appeared super
stitious about their new visitors, but
he Chippewas again talked with them
md found out what they could.
They We're told that "a white house
had fallen from the sky, that it was
covered with ropes and that three
were in it," The Esquimaux also told
where the house had fallen, adding
that the men who were hungry had
lied shortly after their arrival. The
EsquimauX SAID they had used the
ropes and were still using them in
padding their canoes and fixing their
.ents.
All the time they appeared to be
hiding something and were not at all
anxious to speak of their former visi-
tors. Father Turquetit, in relating his
story, said that he was of the opinion
that the white men had shot some
leer or other animals after they had
arrived, and the Indians, becoming
angry. killed them.
William irwin, who for 81 years has
had charge of the Hudson Bay post
1T Good Hope on the Mackenzie river,
is in the city, and he says that one
night a light appeared over the coun-
try and on the following morning all
the Chippewas in the district flocked
nto 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. InGy COulu see IL LOT SeNeIdl
hours after it first came into view. 1t
is generally believed here today that
this was Andrees balloon.
Trappers and prospectors, many of
whom have spent a lifetime in the
Northern wilds, know that when such
a story is circulated among the In
dams there must be considerable
amount of truth in it.
1t is well known that the EsquimauX
| to the north of here have quantity
of ropes and they will not explain
how they came by them. They admit
they have other relics from the same
source which are carefully hidden
away.
The Danish consul at Montreal tele-
graphed to this city several times in
regard to sending out an expedition
to bring back the remnants of the eX-
plorers and it is said the Danish gov
eminent has agreed by cable to pay
all the expenses of such trip and
provide men to take charge VINO are