Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1913-02-19


Preston. Jr.
with will and conquered. but It ate in.
10 our reserve provisions Every detail
of cur food supplies. clothing and
depotg made on the interior ice sheet
and on that long stretch OF ZOO miles
to the pole and back worked out to
perfection.
The advance party would have re-
turned to the glacier in fine form and
with surplus of food but for the as
tonishing failure OF the man whom we
had least expected to fail
Seaman Edgar Evans was thought
to be the strongest man of the party.
and Beardmore glacier is not difficult
in fine weather But 0n our return we
did not get single completely fine
day. This. with a sick companion,
enormously increased our anxieties
I'VE got into frightfuIly rough ice.
and Edgar Evans received a concus-
sion of the brain. He died a natural
death. but left us shaken party, with
the season upouly advanced.
But all these facts enumerated
were as nothing to the surprise which
awaited us on the barrier. main
tain that our arrangements for return
ing were quite adequate and that no
one in the world would have done bet
ter in the weather which we enCoun
tered at this time of the year.
Nm q ha -, NuR 40
grees to Sc degrees we had minus 20
to minus 80. On the barrier. in lati-
tude So degrees, 10000 feet lower, we
had minus 80. On the barrier, in lati-
tude So degrees, we had minus 30 in
the day and minus % at night pretty
regularly, with a continuous head
wind during our day marches.
These circumstances came on very
suddenly and our wreck is certainly
due to this sudden advent of severe
weather. which does not seem TO have
any satisfactory cause.
II do not think human beings ever
came through such a month as we
have come through. and we should
nave got through in spite of the
weather but for the sickening OF a
second companion, Captain Oates. and
a shortage of fuel in our depots. for
which ! cannot account. and finally,
but for the storm which had fallen on
us within eleven miles of the depot
at which we hoped to secure the final
supplies.
Surely misfortune could scarcely
have exceeded this last blow"
I'VE arrived within eleven miles of
our old One Ton camp with fuel for
one hot meal and food for two days.
For four days we have been unable to
leave the tent. the gale blowing about
US; we are weak
Writing is difficult,
For my own sake do not regret
this journey. which has shown that
Englishmen can endure hardships,
help one another and meet death with
as great fortitude as ever in the
past
I'VE took risks. We knew we took
them. Things have come out against
us and therefore we have no cause
for complaint. but bow to the will OF
Providence. determined still to do our
bent to the last
But If we have been willing to give
our lives TO this enterprise. which is
for the honor OF our country, ! ap
peal TO our countrymen to see that
those who depend on US are properly
cared for
Had we lived should have had a
tale to tell OF the hardihood, endur
ance and courage OF my companions
which would have stirred the heart oil
every Englishman.
These rough notes and our dead
bodies must tell the tale, but surely
surely a great, rich country like ours
viii see that those who are dependent
on us are properly provided for.
"(Signedl r. SCOTT.
March 25. 1919"
I ------~7-s--------------