Morgan County republican. (Versailles, Mo.) 1906-1914, 1912-03-14

brought our sledges TO the starting
place for our march toward the south.
Only in the beginning Of September
did the temperature rise to such an
extent that there was any question OF
setting out.
First start for tho Pole.
On the Sth Of September eight men.
with seven sledges, ninety dogs and
provisions for four months started.
The ground was perfect. The tem-
p~erature was not bad. The next day
1t appeared that W. had started too
early, as the temperature OF the fol.
lowing days fell and was kept steady
between minus 80 and so celsius (68
degrees and rs degrees) below zero
fahrenheit. Personally We did not
suffer at all from this cold. Our good
furs protected US. But with our dogs
it was a different matter. 1t could
easily be seen that they shrunk from
day TO day, and w understood pretty
soon that they could not stand the
long run to our depot at SO degrees
south.
We agreed on returning and to wait
for the arrival OF spring. The provis.
ions were cached and of we went for
the hut. With the exception Of the
loss of a few dogs and a couple OF
frozen heels everything was all right.
Only in the middle Of October spring
came in earnest. Seals and birds ap.
peared. The temperature was steady
between 20 and 80 celsius (6s degrees
and sc degrees f%ahrenheit).
The original plan that all Of US
should go toward the south had been
changed. Five men had to do this
work, while the other three were to
start for the east and visit King Ed.
ward VII land. This last mentioned
trip was not included in our pro-
gram, but owing to the fact that the
English had not reached 1t, at leas,
this summer, as was their intention
we agreed that the best thing to dc
was also to make this trip.
On Ocober 20. the southern party
started. five men. four sledges, fifty
two dogs. and provisions for foul
months. everything in excellent
order.
The Journey to the Pole.
We had made up our minds to take
the first part OF the trip as early al
possible in order to give ourselves
and the dogs a rational training, ant
on the 23rd we made our depot in 81
degrees south. We went right ahead
In spite Of the dense fog an errol
of two to three kilomeeers happened
once in a while. but we were caugh'
by the fagmarks, and found these OF
our way without difficulty.
Having rested and fed the dogs OF
all the seal meat they were able Il
eat, we started again on the 26th
with the temperature steadily between
minus 20 and 80 celsius a degree
and 22 dgrees believe zro, ~fahrenheit)
From the start 1t was the intention
not to drive more than 80 kilometer
a day, but 1t appeared that this wa
too little for our strong, willing AM
mails. At 80 degrees south we begal
to build snow cairns Of a mans height
in order to have marks on our re
turn trip. On the 31st we reache,
the depot at 81 degrees. and stoppev
there one day and fed the dogs on a
much pemmican as they wanted.
We reached the depot at 50 degree
On the 9th OF November. where tn
dogs for the last time got all the
wanted to eat. On the Sth, southwar
again. with a daily march Of so kilt
meters.
In order to light our heavy sledge
We established depots at each degre
OF south latitude.
Like a Pleasure Trip.
The trip from 50 to IS degrees b,
came a pleasure trip. excellent grount
fine sledging, and an even temper
ture. Everything went like a dance
On the 9th, we sighted South vi,
toria land and the continuation Of tn
mountain range which Sir Ernes
Shackelton mentioned In his chart q
running toward the southeast frol
the Beardmore glacier. and on tn
same day we reached SO degrees an
established here depot No. 4. On tn
18th we made an interesting discover
that the Ross barrier terminated 1
a blight toward the southeast at 8
degrees south latitude and 1863 degree
west longitude. formed between tn
southeast mountain range runnin
from South Victoria land and q rang
on the opposite side running in
southwesterly direction. probably
continuation Of King Edward v
/ land.
. On the 18th We reached 81 degree
where we established a depot, on I'll
10th we were at Sc degrees. whel
also, we made a depot.