The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-01-06
CONF RRS FINDING
Of ANDRE BALLOON
ESkimoS, Carrying Parts of
Crafts Equipment, Met
By Indian.

WINNIPEG, Man. Jan civilian
Irvine. for hfty-seven years employed
by the Hudson Bay Company, has ar
rived IN Prince Albert, Saskatchewan,
from the Far North, bringing with him
confirmation Of the story received here
a few days ago regarding the finding
Of the remnants Of the Inflated Andre
expedition in search OF the North Pole
Shortly before I left the Hudson
hay post, some eleven hundred miles
20 the north Of here. an Indian wan
dered in one DAY. said Mr. irvine. He
told OF having met during the previous
winter a band OF Eskim0sr VINO hao
with them a number Of brass instru-
ments. a quantity Of brass fittings
which they had used for making hunt
ing gear several cooking utensils Of a
quality unknown 70 that land, much
CordaEe anc some fine waterproof cloth
Although the Indians and Eskimos
are always at odds, he had entered into
communication with them and learned
something OF where they had secured
their strange treasures
Several years before they had been
hunting on the shores Of the Arctic sea
when they beheId an apparition in the
sky II resembled a huge 'OOmiakr or
v-omaE's boat When II landed three
men dropped out They walked toward
the Eskimos, who were in a state Of
terror, and made q hostile denostra-
lion.
All of Expedition Killed
''One OF the while men hred a gun
and a fight followed in which the Es-
Iziuos were victorious and the three
whites lost their lives
For a time the '0omiak' was allowed
% rest where Il had landed. but finally
cupidity OverCame fear and the natives
took possession of The outfit They Sc
cured considerable provisions, the guns
and the ammunition Of the party and
the various parts Of The balloon itself
The silk envelope they used for
CIothiHg and tents the Cordago with
which Il was covered they used for har-
pooh lines and dog harness the wooden
frame vvork-the greatest treasure Of
Advent into spear handles bows and
arrsvs, ana the metal into snow knives.
spear heads, and fish hooks
The brass covered scientific iustru-
meu-s they did not understand hut they
kept them as medicine against evil
The Esklmos stated 10 the Indian
that they had not intended 10 XIII the
white men but that IN their terror had
made signals for them not 10 approach
-
their signs, took them 10 mean hostility,
and opened fire with rife That
started the fight, In which six OF seven
Iatives and The three whites were
killed
Others Confirm Story.
When the Indian reported this affair
% me 7 at once sent him out 10 us
and ind the wandering tribe again
Their meandeTinE nature however. had
taken them far away. and ne was not
able 20 locate them but from othe-
EskimOs he heard parts Of the same
story, and some Of those the Indian me,
had also seen the Instruments, which
are believed 20 be safely cached away
After hearing this story, carefIIIs
questioned every Indian and Eskimo
VINO came TO the post for supplies but
have not Yet been able TO obtain any.
thing more definite However. the
story Of the big 'Couiak' is rraveIfu1
through tie north and as the EsEimos
are generally very truthful there is ev.
cry reason 10 believe Il IS the remnants
Of the Inflated Andre expedition, bu
that is not certain
Everything found in the balloon
would be most carefully preserved 81
the natives and expect one dav 10 D..
able 70 get hold Of the records. which
may possibly show that Andre and no.
Peary was the first man to reach tht
Pole
Irvine vii return 20 the north in Z
few days