Indiana daily times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1914-1922, 1920-02-20
ILL TWO YEARS, |
EXPLORERDIES
NWASHINGTON
Recalls Famous Event Of 1903
and Controversy With
Doctor Cook.
BLOOD SUPPLIED IN VAIN

WASHINGTON, Feb. 20.-Rear
Admiral Robert E. Peary, DISCOVERIES
of the north pole, died at his home
here early today after an illness of
several weeks, as the result of per-
nicious anemia,
Rear Admiral Peary had been SUB
fering for nearly two years. A few
weeks ago he underwent an opera
ton for blood TRANSMISSION, but this
failed to relieve him.
Those Offering their blood for tina
TRANSMISSION operations were enlisted men
Of the navy and attaches Of the naval
hospital
WIFE AND DAUGHTER
AT DEATHBED.
The relatives with him when he died
were the wife. his daughter, Mrs. Edward
Stafford, famous as the "snow baby"
born in the Arctic; his son, Robert e.
Peary Jr., and his niece, Miss Madgs
Dieditsch.
Peary's last public appearance was in
February, 1919, when he introduced
Stefansson, the Arctic explorer, to the
National Geographic society at a meet-
ing here. Peary has been a close follow
er Of aviation development, and was press
ident of the Aerial League Of America
and member Of the board OF governors
Of the acre board Of America.
Peary, although born in Pennsylvsnia
and in later life a resident of Wash
inRton, was claimed as a son of Maine.
The Roosevelt. the ship that carried
his party to the pole, was built In a
Maine shipyard and Peary for many
years lived during his summers on an
island in Casco bay, near Portland, Me.
In fact he owned several islands In that
neighborhood.
FIRST TRIP NORTH
IS YEARS AGO.
1t was In 1886 that Peary, then but 80
years old, made his first trip north
and ,aught the Arctic fever, a ''maIady"
he was never able TO cure. From that
date TO September. 1909, was a continu-
Gus period Of planning and effort to
reach the top Of the world.
His initial trip was for the purpose
Of making a reconnaissance Of the Gresn-
| land ice cape.
1t was on Sept. 10, 1909, that Com
mander Peary cast the first shadow over
the claims Of DR.. Cook. that he had dis
covered the North pole. 'I have him
nailed" he telegraphed Mrs. Peary, who
from the first had disbelieved DIR. Cooks
story Of finding the pole.
1t was on Sept. 8, 1909 that Peary's
announcement that he had nailed the
stars and stripes to the pole" was re-
ceived in America. That was five days
after DR.. Cook had sent a telegram to
Denmark declaring he had found the
pole.
Born In Cresson, Pa, May 9, 1855,
Peary go his early education at a North
BridgetOn. Me-. academy and later en-
tered Bowdoin college from which he
was graduated in 1877. lie entered the
United States navy in 1881 as a civil
engineer.
MANY TRIPS MADE
To ENLARGE KNOWLEDGE.
In 1898 Peary went north to study the
HABITS of a tribe Of Esquimos. This
voyage lasted until 1895.
The fourth and fifth journeys were In
reality summer trips to the northlands
to enlarge the explorers knowledge Of
the habits and customs of the people.
In 1898 Peary took his sixth trip.
Peary's most serious attempt to reach
the pole, with the exception Of the trip
on which he actually succeeded, was on
his eighth journey, begun In July. 1905.
1t was on this journey that he and his
party, travelling on the Roosevelt, en-
eountered so many obstacles and suf>
fered such privations.
Peary reached ''fartherest north" on
April p, 1906, just three years to a day
before the day DR.. Cook ascribed as his
date Of alleged discovery of the poIs.
Peary's readings showed he was then at
latitude of 81 degrees and II minutes.
Forced to leave most of his supplies be-
hind to tighten the load on the dogsleda,
Feary realized that If he attained his am
bition and dashed for the pole, he and
every man and dog in the party would
die Of starvation and exposure on the
way back.
SUCCESS ACHIEVED
IN JULY, 1908.
The final dash for the pole that at laee
proved successful was started on July
6, 1908. His date Of discovery. was given
as April 0. 1909.
Since his triumphaI return from his
Arctic expedition and the subsequent
controversy over the discovery of the
north pole, Admiral Peary has not been
in the best of health. Two years ago his
ailments became more serious and he
has been fighting against an anemic con-
ditiOn for many months. He submitted
to the blood TRANSMISSION operation after
physicians had decided it was his only
hope for life, but though he rallied from
the immediate effects of the operation, it
failed to ward or the disease, which
was gradually dragging him down. Ad-
miral Peary was one Of the most pic
turesque figures in American history.
Peary spent thirty hours at and beyond
the pole The journey to the pole was
made In twenty-one marches and the
return trip to Cape Columbia was made
in sixteen marches. For his discovery
he was given the thanks of congress by
a special act of congress, made a rear
admiral and showered with decorations
and hOnors from every government In
the world