8. Ibid.
9. T. S. Dedrick, Jr., diaries, in Robert E. Peary Collection, National Archives, Washington, D.C.
Chapter 7. The Struggle for the Pole
1. Donald B. MacMillan, “Peary as a Leader,” National Geographic, April 1920; and Donald B. MacMillan, “Matthew Henson,” The Explorers Journal (official journal of the Explorers Club), Fall 1955.
2. MacMillan, “Matthew Henson”; and Bradley Robinson, Dark Companion (New York: Robert M. McBride, 1947), p. viii.
3. Henson, Negro Explorer, pp. 113, 114.
4. Ibid., p. 124.
5. Robinson, Dark Companion, pp. 261-62; Harold Harwood, Bartlett: The Great Explorer (Toronto: Doubleday Canada, 1977), p. 87.
6. Robert E. Peary, The North Pole (New York: Frederick A. Stokes, 1910), p. 269.
7. “Matt Henson Tells the Real Story of Peary’s Trip to the Pole,” Boston American, July 17, 1910.
8. Peary, North Pole, p. 273.
9. Robert H. Fowler, “The Negro Who Went to the Pole with Peary,” American History Illustrated, May 1966 (this article was based on interviews with Henson that Fowler conducted in 1953). Also, personal communication to author from Terris Moore.
10. MacMillan, “Peary as a Leader.”
11. “Matt Henson Tells the Real Story.”
12. Letter-article by Peter Freuchen, “Ahdolo, Ahdolo!” dated March 18, 1947. Sent to James Zarlock, Robert McBride Co. (publishers), New York.
13. “Cook’s Route Far from Pole, His Eskimos Say” and “Map of Cook’s Arctic Voyage Containing No Dash to the Pole—Traced by His Two Eskimos,” New York Times, October 13, 1909.
14. Telegram from Peary to Henson, October 17, 1909: “If, as papers state, you have pictures of North Pole and sledge journey they must not be shown. Wire me”; and letter from Peary to H. C. Bumpus. Both in Robert E. Peary Collection, Record Group 401-1, National Archives.
15. “Matt Henson Tells the Real Story.”
16. “Matt Henson Mourned by Thousands,” New York Amsterdam News, March 19, 1955.
Chapter 9. Growing Up Eskimo
1. Henson, Negro Explorer, p. 183.
Epilogue
1. Boyce Rensberger, “Debunking Peary Myth,” Washington Post, September 18, 1988. According to Rensberger, Dennis Rawlins had put forth his case against Peary in a report to the Navy Institute Proceedings in 1970 and had reiterated his challenge three years later in Peary at the North Pole: Fact or Fiction (Washington, D.C.: Luce, 1973).
2. Boyce Rensberger, “Peary’s Notes Show He Faked Claim: Suppressed Document Places Explorer Far from North Pole,” Washington Post, October 12, 1988.
3. Boyce Rensberger, “Explorer Bolsters Case against Peary,” Washington Post, November 2, 1988.
4. D. J. Drewry and R. Huntford, “Amundsen’s Route to the South Pole,” Polar Record 19, no. 121 (1979): 329-36.
5. Roald Amundsen, The South Pole (London: John Murray, 1912), p. 112; and Roald Amundsen, “Expedition to the South Pole,” Annual Report of the Smithsonian Institution, 1912, pp. 701-16.
6. Roald Amundsen, My Life as an Explorer (New York: Doubleday, Doran & Co., 1928), p. 72.
7. Amundsen, South Pole, p. 112.
8. Drewry and Huntford, “Amundsen’s Route,” pp. 329-36.
9. Peary, North Pole, pp. 319, 356. Marvin’s note was found in a small canvas pouch attached to the upstanders of his sledge when it was returned to the ship by his Eskimo companions, Kudlooktoo and Harrigan. They had apparently overlooked this item when they pushed his body and all his personal belongings into the Arctic Ocean to hide the evidence of his murder.
10. Ibid., p. 360.
11. Ibid.
12. Ibid., pp. 285, 286.
13. Henson, Negro Explorer, p. 140.
14. Terris Moore, “Charge of Hoax against Robert E. Peary Examined,” American Alpine Journal, 1983, pp. 114-22.
15. Will Steger and Paul Schurke, North to the Pole (New York: Times Books, 1987).
16. “Neither Peary nor Cook Found Pole, Is Gen. Greely’s Belief,” Washington Star, January 25, 1926.
17. MacMillan, “Matthew Henson”; also Robinson, Dark Companion, p. viii.
18. Peary North Pole Interim Report, No. 1, January 13, 1989, Navigation Foundation, Rockville, Maryland.
19. Letter/report, October 1988, from Lt. Col. William E. Mollett, submitted to National Geographic and Navigation Foundation.
20. “Robert E. Peary at the North Pole,” report of Navigation Foundation, December 11, 1989. See also “New Evidence Places Peary at the Pole,” National Geographic, January 1990.
21. “Robert E. Peary at the North Pole.”
22. Ibid.
23. “Robert E. Peary at the North Pole: A Supplemental Report,” Navigation Foundation, April 16, 1990.
GLOSSARY
This glossary gives the phonetic spellings of common Polar Eskimo words and phrases used by Matthew Henson. These spellings and their pronunciations served Henson well in his dealings with the Eskimos, and he was the only American on the Peary expeditions who was able to communicate with the Eskimos in their own language. Not all the words given in this list appear in the text, but the sampling is intended to offer the reader an introduction to words in everyday use. The selection proved helpful to the students and staff involved in the North Pole Reunion Committee.
Ah-dok
Bottom of feet
Ah-ee-who-ghia
I am fine
Ah-hahn-nah
Aurora borealis
Ah-hock key-et-toe
Hot summer
Ah-kah-lik
Rabbit
Ah-kai-gu
Tomorrow
Ahk-duk
Killer whale
Ah-key-show
Ptarmigan or grouse
Ah-mak-de-hee-oh
Many
Ah-muck-kah
Maybe
Ah-nah-kah-ting-woot
Sister
Ah-nah-kah-ting-woot-neeya
My sister
Ah-nahn-na
Mother
Ahn-nah
Woman
Ah-poot
Snow
Ah-she-de-shot
Camera
Ah-tah
Grandfather
At-tah-tah
Father
Ah-tow-toe
Yawn
Ah-ung-gwee-lok (Greenlandic)
Fine
Ah-vuk
Walrus
Ah-who-ghia
Fine, okay
Ak-day-you-ahk-toe
Shy
Ang-goot
Man
An-new-ee
Wind
An-no-wah
Hooded jacket, anorak
Bik-check
Good
Bik-doo-ah-gee
Congratulations
Cah-nock-toe
Falling snow
Cah-nook
Mouth
Chair-ree-in-yah
Fox
Chee-me-ahk
Bird (general)
Chee-me-ahk-toe
Airplane
Chee-tok-we
Cup
Chi-bag-ee
Tobacco
Ching-mia
Bird (general)
Cobve
Coffee
Dah-ho
Fighting between two people; a fight
Day-mah
It is finished
Dough-ko
Dead
Du-wah-hok
To hear
Ear-ee-ah-nock-toe
Beautiful
Ed-de-hahm-ah-neet-cho
Crazy
Eeee
Yes
Ee-hee-kah-kah
[My] feet
Ee-helk
Eye
Ee-nuk
Person
Eh-nah-hock-toe
Yawn
Err-nahk
Son
Foo-he-ah
Membranous sac
k in bird’s throat; crop
Foo-who-chee
What are you doing? What’s happening with you?
Ha-ah-chew-go
Ouch
Hah-vik
Iron or metal
Hav-oc
Sheep
He-ah-wah-whah
Sugar
Hee-ah-ko
Knee
Hee-oou-nee
Ear
Herr-kah-nook
Sun
He-tak-toe
Sling shot
Hi-nay [Hi-nah]
Hello; Hi
Hi-nay-nuk-who-nay
Hello. How are you?
Hi-nic-toe
Sleeping person
Hin-nik-doo-ah-gee
Good night
Hin-nik-toe
Sleep
Hu-qua-gah
Candy
Id-dig-doo
You are welcome
I-ding-nook
Bad (weather)
I-du-di-ah
Iceberg
l-hee-ga
Foot
I-hook-ko
Little finger
Ik-kil-nock-toe
Cold, or to be cold
Ik-pill-nah
Mosquito
Ing-mung-wah
A little, as in “a little coffee”
In-nook
Water
In-nuit
Person
I-nook-du-yak
Good-bye
Ir-riah-nock-toe
Beautiful
Kaa-be-ho
Coffee
Kah-do-nah
White-skinned person
Kah-kok-tok kah-lay-lee-wah
White whale (Beluga)
Kah-lay-lee-wah
Narwhal
Kahl-nock-tok kah-lay-lee-wah
Black narwhal
Kah-mah-toe
Angry
Kah-tuk
Cup
Kah-ou
Forehead
Ka-miks
Boots (made of animal skin)
Kang-wah-chee
Binoculars
Kar-rah-hah
Brain
Ka-toong-wah
Children
Kay-cheek-toe
Dancing
Kee-chuck-dah
Middle finger
Keen-yah
Nose
Key-ah-see-oak-dua
I’m sweating.
Key-et-toe
Warm, hot, heat
Key-net-chee
What is your name?
Key-you-tee
Teeth
Kim-milk
Dog
Kod-dee-pah-luk
Stove
Ko-do
Thumb
Ko-keet
Claws
Kong-new-we-ho
Snore
Koo-you-nah
Thank you
Kul-nock-to
The color black
Kul-nock-too-ko
Dark-skinned or black [person]
Ku-mah-ah-ho
Puppy
Kute (cute)
Tooth
Nah-mak-toe
Good tasting or tasty
Mee-kee-lil-rahk
Ring finger
Nah-ahn
No
Nah-do-oh-hoy-ah
I don’t know
Nah-mock-toe
Fine, as in okay
Nah-pah-ham-a-wick
Infirmary; hospital
Na-nook
Polar bear
Nay-goo-hock
Doctor
Nee-shock-toe
Great, as in “a great person”
Neh-we-ah
Seagull
Net-do-ve
When were you born?
New-nah
Earth, land
New-yah
Hair
Nock-toe-ho
Pregnant
No-dia
Wife
No-low
Rear end; buttocks
Oh-mia-hahm-me
On board ship
Oh-mia-hock
Big ship
Oh-you-ah-hock
Rock
O-miak
Ship or boat
O-ming-mak
Musk ox
Om-mik
Moustache
On-ee-yee-cheech
Stop here
Ooh-kah
Tongue
Ooh-wang-gah
I
Peed-de
Car
Pee-nee-ahk-toe
Hunter
Pee-nee-ahk-toe wah
Great or master hunter
Pee-shah-hah
Strong
Poo-ee-hee
Seal
Puto
Hole
Pu-you-tee
Pipe
Qeqertarsaaq
Herbert Island
Quah, quah, quah, pah che
So many
She-neck-tah-ko
To sleep forever; to die
She-neg-boo
Sleep
She-you-tee
Ears
Tad-dok
Chin
Tah-ku-huk
To see
Tah-tah-rah
Black-legged kittiwake
Tee-de-ord
Teapot
Teek-yuk
Index finger
Tee-nee-vok
To fly or flying (as in “the bird is flying”)
Tie-ee-ok-toe
Sneeze
Tock-toe
Dark, darkness
Took-too
Caribou
Too-lu-gah
Crow
Tu-pik
Tent
U-lu or Ooh-lu
Small utility knife
Who-we
Husband
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS
Many fine people of all races, colors, and backgrounds contributed to the success of the North Pole Family Reunion and the reinterment of Matthew Henson. I have named some in the text; here I wish to thank them and others who made exceptional contributions to this project.
I am especially grateful to John H. Johnson, chairman of Johnson Publishing Company. The North Pole Family Reunion and the reinterment of Matthew Henson were made possible by his moral and financial support.
I thank the members of the Amer-Eskimo Henson and Peary families, especially Anaukaq and Kali, for their friendship and supportive efforts. I also thank the members of the Polar Eskimo communities of Moriussaq and Qaanaaq, northwest Greenland.
I thank the members of the Harvard community, the North Pole Family Reunion Committee, and the Matthew A. Henson Reinterment Committee for their support and encouragement, especially President Derek C. Bok, Rev. Peter J. Gomes, L. Fred Jewett, dean of Harvard College, Marvin Alvert Hightower, David L. Evans, Dudley Herschbach, Kent Taylor Cushenberry, Chester Pierce, Richard Hunt, Josephus Long, Lynn Thompson Long, Edwin H. Kolodny, John E. Dowling, Sisella Myrdal Bok, Erik Borg, Mimi Aloian, Kermit Alexander, Sean T. Brady, Mariana Ortiz-Blanes, Camille Holmes, and Suzanne Malveaux.
I am also grateful to the government and military officials who contributed to this project, including President Ronald Reagan, Samuel R. Pierce, Frederick J. Ryan, Jr., Raymond J. Costanzo, Gen. Julius Becton, Marion Barry, Jr., Col. Guion S. Bluford, Navy Chaplain Charles W. Marvin, Col. Philip Bracher, Col. James Knapp, Maj. Quincy Sharp, Sgt. Theodora Hart, Kay Cormier, the Department of Defense, the Military Airlift Command (MAC), and the U.S. Air Force.
I owe special thanks to the project associates and the Henson family: Ann J. C. Daniels, R.N., project nurse; Dr. Louis C. Brown, project physician; Regina O. Counter, project assistant; Navarana Harper, primary translator in Greenland and America; Ned Johnston, cinematographer; Anthony B. Jacobs, sound recordist and technician; Hans P. Biemann, photographer; Olive Henson Fulton; Virginia Carter Brannum; and Audrey C. Mebane.
I would also like to thank t
he following individuals and organizations for their special efforts and contributions to the project: Rev. Samuel D. Proctor and Abyssinian Baptist Church, Thobius Danielsen (second translator), Ruth Hamilton, Dr. Robert Screen, William R. Harvey and the Hampton University Band and Choir, Dr. Bo Klarskov, Police Inspector Karl Peterson, Carlos Vallechio, Cherie Cushenberry, Ann Willoughby, Mr. and Mrs. Marvin Hightower, Sr., the Washington, D.C., Convention Center, the Afro-American Heritage Society of Charles County, Maryland (especially Louise Webb and William Diggs), Terris Moore, Nicholas Sullivan, William F. Looney, Robert C. Barber, Jeanne Capodilupo, John, Jean, and Brian Powell, Melvin B. Miller, the Fordham College Choir, the National Archives, First Air of Canada, and the Explorers Club.
I wish to thank Bruce Wilcox and the University of Massachusetts Press for their genuine interest in North Pole Legacy, and especially Clark Dougan for his excellent editorial advice.
North Pole Legacy Page 25