Who Found the North Pole ?

Hokitika Guardian, 10 June 1922, Page 4

Who Found the North Pole ?

DR COOK BREAKS SILKXCJ

WILL lll.S CLAIM BE UPHELD

After fourteen years of almost unbroken silence, during which time he is said to have visited every continent in the world. Dr Frederick A. Cook has announced that he will seek official anil public recognition ns the real discoverer of the North Pole. I lie recent finding of bis missing field notes and instruments in the Arctic, says the “New York World,” seems to strengthen his claim, and lie expects before long that the matter will be brought to the attention of Congress, which he hopes will formally credit him with the discovery by voting him a medal. Newspapers rcfpntJy carried the story of the finding of Cook’s field notes in a buried igloo, and the records therein, hearing his signature showed where Cook had been. It was because he was unable to produce these records in 1000 that the world re-fused to believe his story. Cook said ho had l<Mt these records and instruments with Harry Whitney at Utah. Greenland, and deep snows had held their secret all those years, Dr" Cook claims to have reached the Pole on April 21st 19l>8. about a year earlier than Admiral Peary. Geoorapliieal societies accepted 1 onrv s records, and Cook practically had none to offer. Til 1891 and 1802 Cook was plivsioian lor Peary on his explorations and the two were dose friends. After Cook was branded as a faker be roamed all over the world, trying, it is said to hide himself, hut someone a - ways identified him. whether in Smith America. Asia or Australia. In restaurants people looked at him covertly and avoided him. At his lectures lie was hissed and he ceased to lecture. According to accounts, lie became a pitiable, haunted figure, and sank into oblivion. He accepted his fate and never denounced those who opposed him. Cook finally went to Fort Morth (Texas), where for the past few years Ih> has ln-en interested in oil production. Tie has done fairly well, Imt not made a huge success. One dav an afternoon paper contained a telegram to the effect that Cok’s missing records had been found. Immediat'-lv Texans began to look him up. Within a few days lie was invited to make an address at the I'irst Baptist Church, and his audience cheered him. Then the Chamber of Commerce at Weatherford invited him to become its guest of honour at a banquet. Next he addressed an audience of 2000 at the Tabernacle, and again he was cheered, and at the close men, women and children crowded to the front to shake liis hand. Dr Cook blames what he terms “the navy clique” for turning him down and recognising Peary. ”1 am not asking fur a pension.” he snvs. “1 do not want any money. All I am asking ijusticc. I wan’t no more. The Congressional Record of February, 101-1, shows that sixty-nine explorers signed a statement supporting niv claims. Fo little regarding this was ever published that the public knows nothing of it. But it is there." Dr Cook is now lil'ly-five years old, hut looks to lie rugged and strong. His wavy hair is turning grey. He says that he may • ambit into the Arctic or Antrret i". lie regards the airplane route the most feasible. Regarding the famous gum-drop story. Cook says; “It was only a newspaper story. There were no ginrilrops. A reporter on the New Turk Herald got, after Frank Bradley, my a-m date in the enterprise, when Bradley was worn out and had nothing new to give cut. But tlie reporter insisted on "citing something awav, and Rradlev happened to tell him all Eskimo would go a long wav for sweets o'* gumdrops. Usin- this little bit of information the reporter went hack to (iis office- and wrote a two-column storv of lmw I b' l tlie Eskimos on the Polar dash with gumdrops. Now. w ho’s the faker X Dr Cook- believes that President Hardin * will support his Haims and bases Ids holier in the fact that lla’duso his influence on his bchnli. He ings paper, tin* “Marion Star.” 'ad always stood behind him instead id Peary, and because the “Star” helped in disposin''’ ol Dr Cook s book on the “Polar Hash."