100 YEARS AGO Friday, Sept 10, 1909
Discovery of the North Pole
Almost any encyclopedia may be consulted for a history of Arctic exploration, and we do not propose here to take up the subject, except to touch on the latest phase of it, namely the discovery of the North Pole itself.
It is said that, on departing on his fifth Arctic exploration in July last year, Cmdr. Robert Peary of the United States left behind him a promise that if he succeeded in reaching the North Pole, the civilized world would hear of his discovery between Aug. 15 and Sept. 15 this year.
The month of prophecy was gone by half when the world was surprised to find Dr. Frederick Albert Cook, instead of Peary, announcing that he had discovered the Pole. But not three days elapsed before Peary was heard from, making good his prediction, and he has now become the lion of the house. As for Cook, he has weakened his claim by admitting that he is not quite sure of having actually trod on the Pole, except that he was near it.