The times and democrat. [volume] (Orangeburg, S.C.) 1881-current, 1910-12-20
COOKS STORY
OF Ris T,ip to ID. F.r Hor'h Is Ha'se|-
ously Frank and Open.

TELLS ALL ABOUT T. TRIP
.acousession," 20 be Printed Ia
HaEapton's Magazine, Details o
Remarkable "Mtnd Journsy." De-
vo.4ag Itseif Largely TO Psychic
Pheaouieaa.
in the flrst installment OF his OWE
story, which is to appear 10 the
forthcoming January Hampton 8
Magazine. Or. Frederick a. Cook
frankly confesscs. as promised In re-
sent news dispatches, to uncertainty
regarding his claim to the discovery
OF the North Pole. After, detailed
md remarkable account Of the men
tai processes which he underwent on
hts Arctic journey, Dr.. Cook with
, remarkable degree OF self.analysis,
describes the process of conviction OF
anal attainment which grew upon
him: Instead of. repeating the day
nv day account Of his travels over
miles OF Ice, DR.. Cook devotes him"
,a,4 chiefly to what Is q renarka bio
mind journey.
DR., Cooks confession. which Is an
aounced as human document OF
extraordinary interest and Import
,nce. is presented by Hampton,a,
which published Commander Peary's
story, "The Discovery Of the North
cole" on It's own merits. Coming
,fter a mysterious seclusion for an
entire year, during which time he
has had little to do but reflect and
,rriye at conclusions. DR.. Cooks
confession is most remarkable per-
haps in that he acknowledges his
belief that 1t Is absolutely impossi-
he by scientific observations to as-
certain the achievement Of the North
Polo, and that his own conviction
was not based entirely upon such
proof"
"I am told that many people who
dlscredit my original story Of my
experience believe in my good faith,
saws DR.. Cook. "Thls moves me
moro than can tell. II I did be-
lleve in myself. honestly and sin
serely, II felt convinced OF my
claim, when I reached Copenhagen
and later New York, Is 1t just to
call me the worlds most intrepid
faker, q common, deliberate swim l-
dler?"
Declaring desire to take friend
and foe into his confidence, DR..
Cook, in a painstaking effort to ex-
plain himself, gives an account of his
early life, his boyhood ambitions and
the final focusing of his desire upon
the boreal centre. After l6 years
,f fruitless effort the final opportun-
lty came to him with ar invitation
to accompany John R. Bradley on
Northern hunting trip. DR.. Cook
says that his Immediate intention
was merely to return to the North,
and that it was not until he arrived
at Annoatok that he finally de-
termined to try for the pole.
"Most certainly we talked Of the
pole" says DR.. Cook, "but, posi-
lively and emphatlcally. 1t was not
an important incentive to the jour
ney. Back in my brain. barely
above the subconscious realm, was
the feeling that this, however, might
,Ter opportunity in the preparation
for final future determination. I,
therefore, without any conscious
purpose, and with my last penny
paid out Of my purse for extra
supplies for personal expedition
should leave the ship.
when I left New York my plans
we're not at all definite. Even had ]
known then that I should try for the
pcle I should not nave sought any
geographical license from some
vague and unknown authority.
Though much has been made by crit
les Of our quiet department. l al
ways felt the quest Of the pole as a
personal ambition, crazy hunger
I had to satisfy.
Accused OF being the most colos-
sal liar Of history. sometimes I feel
that more lies have been told about
me than about anyone ever born.
LAS a popular illustration of the
sort of yarns that were told. let me
refer to the folish fake of the gum
drops. Some one started the story
that I expected to reach the pole by
bribins the Eskimos with gum drops
-perha!,s the idea was that 7 was to
luro them on from point to point
with regularly issued rations OF these
co3fections.
"Wherever I went on my lecture
tour after my return to the United
States, much to my irritation l saw
Cook gum drops conspicuousIy dis
played in confectionery store win
dows. Hundreds Of pounds Of gum
drops were sent to my hotel with
the compliments OF the manufacture
ers. On ali sides I heard the gum