Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1912-03-14
AMUNDSEN'S STORY
OF DASH TO POLE.
INTREPID EXPLORER PLANTS
FLAG OF NORWAY AND STAYS
THREE DAYS AT SOUTH POLE
Little Party of Determined Men Fac,
Untold Hardshps and Peril in Sue
cessful Effort to Reach Southern
most Point of World.

Hobart, acknowledgement RaolC
Amundsen. the explorer accredited
with the discovery OF the south pole
has issued a statement in which he
declares that he and his party reach
ed the south pole on December Il
1911. and that the party spent three
days al the pole. where the fiag OF
Norway was planted
Captain Amundsen says the po,e is
situated on a vast plateau. which
stretches away in either direction for
miles and miles.
The explorer whose name will 90
down through the centuries TO come
for his contribution TO the worlds
greatest discoveries. has given the
story OF his journey TO the world in
his characteristic simple and unas.
suming way, and that story seems 10
nave been generally accepted as the
unadulterated truth.
The last stages of the tourney
seem 10 have been the most difficult
barring the last days. for the exnlor.
ers. The real dash for the pole be-
gan on February 10. 1911, when the
party began 10 work its way south
establishing food depots on the way
For four months from April % the
party did not see the sun, but this
winter season seems not to have
caused any great hardship. EXCEPT n
the dogs. while the time was profit.
ably spent in some astonishing met.
geological observations. There was
very little snow, and there was open
water by the camp of the exploring
party throughout the winter.
a start was made from the winter
home on September s. but encounter.
Ing severe weather. the thermometer
showing IS degrees below zero. Can
tain Amundsen ordered a return m
their winter hut to wait for spring
weather. which did not come until the
middle OF October.
On October 20, five men of the par.
y started on the final dash for the
pole, having four sledges, fifty-two
dogs and provisions for four months
The trip must indeed have been
trying one, even for men used to such
1ardships. Caches of food were made
at Inherent points along the route
AIKEN, TO be used on the return Jour.
ley, in case the explorers should ever
'eturn.
over mountains and glaciers. across
&c covered stretches of water. where
ne ice creaked and groaned and
threatened to at any moment engult
he entire party. through valleys and
lcross plains. the intrepid explorers
patiently plodded. until on December
camp was established at the point |
arthest south visited by Lieutenant
'hackelton. From there on to the
'ole the task seems to have been com.
'aratively easy, being mostly a down
Ill pull for the dog teams.
On December IA at p. m. they
lalted, having by the reckonings
made, arrived at the goal for which
many brave and hardy explorers had
Then, according to Captain Amund.
en- all of the party gathered around
ne colors-a beautiful silk Aag-au
ands taking hold of it and PLANTING
Three days were spent in that vi.
unity, and numerous observation,
'ere taken and reckonings made. the
having thoroughly satisfied
1emselves that the south pole had at
list been visited by man.
On December II there was fastened
the ground a little tent which had
cen taken along. a Norwegian fac
nd the Fran pendant on the top of il
ne Norwegian home at the south
ole was christened "Polheim."
Then began the return trip on the I
lth, and the return seems to have
cen much easier than when the men
ere searching for the pole.
The Fran, conveying the victorious
'plorers. left the Bay of Whales on Z
lnuary 30, and after a long voyage {
'ainst contrary winds, arrived al &
obart. {