The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1912-01-25
MYSTERY OF
 THE ARCTIC
New Haven WheeImen Ask Peary and Cook to Explain
 Former Members Death
DOCTOR SAYS HE WILL TELL
Writes Peculiar Letter. Which is Read at Club Banauet-VerhocR Lost
 in 1892 Trip.

in 1892 Trip.
 New Haven, Jan. 25-What is tn real story of the mysterious disap pearance of John NJ. Verhoeff, a for mer Yale student, who lost his If with Peary in the Arctic regions dur ing the summer of 1892? That is tn question that perplexed the veteral members of the old New Haven Bi cycle club which met last evening a the Cafe Callahan for it's annual ban quet. Verhoeff was a member of tn club during his student days and wheI the news of his death-especialIy tn element Of mystery in it-reached hi fellow members there was natural, much curiosity aroused. The passing of years has not served to entirely clarify the situation and last nigh the subject was discussied with al much interest as ever.
 Club officials recently wrote to Com modore Peary and to Dr. F. A. Cool who were on the expedition witl which Verhoeff enlisted, and whil, both sent letters of reply. which were read last night, the mystery is fal from cIeared-at least to the minds of the club members
 Commodore Perry referred the c1ul members to his book ''Northwart Over the Great Ice.'' in which he sayi that Verhoeff was lost in a great glac
 
 tile and indeed not even the slight est clue-save for footsteps leading tt dangerous crevasses-was ever found
 Dr. Cooks Letter.
 pr. Cook. who was the physician on the expedition. rather gives thu idea that he could throw some fur. ther light on the case. His letter ir part says:
 ''I knew Verhoeff very well. Tn my book just off the press, My Attain r.r T-e l..T- l. cover some of the injustice done tC my old comrade. The story is a lonl one. I will be glad to tell vol all about the martyrdom of Verhoef quest of money-and the pole In the near future, when I get to New Ha- ven. I will be glad to publicly state at the club what I know about this unfortunate affair."
 Cook is to return to New York Feb 15 from a southern lecture tour, and F.. F. Russell of ridgeport, the new president of the club, is making ar engagements to see Dr. Cook, at this time, and learn. if possible, the real story of Verhoeff's fate.
 Clubs Long History.
 The New Haven Bicycle club was organized January 24, 1880, in the days of the old high wheel. The membership was composed of some of the most prominent professional and business young men in the city. About eighteen years ago the club was disbanded but the mem bers wish ing to continue the friendships there in formed and also, to perpetuate the name of the club, organized them Gelves into the New Haven Bicycle Club Veteran association
 The club now holds a banquet once a year, last nights being the four teenth.
 Terhoeff from Louisville, Ky, enter ed Yale university and later joined the New Haven Bicycle club. His sister at the same time entered one of the Young Ladies' schools in this city,, and both were possessed of som e
 Verhoem was a young man of short stature but with consid erable strength and with a marked individuality that at times amounted to eccentricity. He was always companionable, was very much liked and on account of his strong opinions soon became a noted member of the club.
 Verhoef Leaves Yale.
 During his second year in the uni- versity he became involved in som e student t-scapaCle that resulted in a faculty Investigation and reprimand Although Verhoef always stoutly maintained his innocence the fact preyed upon his mind and he left Yale and returned home. Nothing S91, the year that Commodore Rob ert A. Peary started on another polar expedition. Verhoeff was one of the heavy financial packers of this ex- petition. It was generally under stood that Commodore Peary did not want to take Verhoen along, but Yer hoeh insisted and was finally taken in the capacity of mineralogist. pr. Frederick A. Cook was the physician on this expedition. Upon the return of Commodore Peary in 1892 he re- ported the. death of Verhoen in the
 Efforts of his sister and friends to get more fully the details of his tragic fate were without satisfa ctory results.
 Inquiry Is Started.
 At the ninth annual banquet of the ton held in the Tontine hotel, Feb. 16, 1903, Commodore Peary was the honored guest. Several of the 'busi n ess men present who were members of tho old Bicycle club, approached Commodore Peary during the even ing and requested him to give them details of Verhoens death. Commo- dOre Peary appeared reticent about speaking of the matter, his reply be- ing meagre and the interview ended rather unsatisfactorily.
 Peary's Account.
 Peary in his My Arctic Journal, g published in 1883, also devotes a chap ter to the disappearance of Verhoeff, and refers to him afectionately. His expedition to the Polar regions was made June 6, 1891, in the ship Kite '' The party was small one, being composed of only five besides MT. and Mrs. Peary. In the party were Dr. Frederick A. Cook and Mat Hensen, the acolored man who later reached the top of the earth'' with Peary-
 Peary relates in his book how, on Thursday. August 18 1892. Dr. Cook brought tidings that Verhoeff had left Bowdoin bay on a mineralogicaI ex- petition and had not returned. His last words were, ''If I am not here don't be worried. I may be gone un- til Tuesday or Wednesday,
 Peary fitted out a boat and the en. tire party searched for the missing man. but without avail During this time the region was swept by terrific gales and the cold was intense. On Wednesday August 24 Esquimaux I.,.c1-.,l,t tha sad tidinRs thai fnnt-