CHAPTER XXXV. 



THE STORY OF HARRY WHITNEY. 



As was to be expected, the Cook-Peary controversy entered into many 

 phases. One of its most interesting angles was that concerning Harry Whit- 

 ney, the young New Haven sportsman who met Cook after the latter's return. 



Dr. Cook early in the debate, named Whitney as having proof of the North 

 Pole discovery in his possession. These proved later to consist of instruments 

 — a sextant, compass, etc. — and articles of clothing. To the surprise of people 

 everywhere, Whitney reported on reaching Labrador that Cook's property was 

 not in his possession. 



He sent this telegram home on his arrival at Labrador : 



"S. S. Strathcona, Indian Harbor, Labrador, via Marconi wireless. Cape 

 Race, N. F., Sept. 25. — I know not the extent of the contents of the box left 

 in my charge by Dr. Cook to be brought back. No vessel having arrived for 

 me at Etah before the Roosevelt returned from the north, I started home on it. 

 Commander Peary would not allow anything belonging to Dr. Cook to come 

 aboard his ship. I was forced to leave the articles in a cache at Etah, 



"On Dr. Cook's arrival at Annotook in April, 1909, he told me he had dis- 

 covered the North Pole, also showing me maps and requesting me to withhold 

 information from Commander Peary, but permitting me to say that he had 

 gone farther than Peary had gone on his last expedition. 



"HARRY WHITNEY." 



On arriving at St. Johns, N. F., Mr. Whitney made a more extended state- 

 ment : tie said Cook arrived at Annotook in April of this year and declared 

 that he had reached the North Pole a year before. He pledged Whitney, how- 

 ever, not to tell Commander Peary, who was to be informed only that Cook 

 had gone farther north than Peary's previous record, 87 degrees 6 minutes. 

 Continuing, Dr. Cook told Whitney that he had accomplished all he expected 

 to, and more besides, and that he was through with the northern country. 

 Whitney did not communicate the latter part of this statement to Commander 

 Peary. Continuing, Mr. Whitney said that Dr. Cook had complained to 



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