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THE DEVELOPMENTS OF 1924 311

WELLS OF WRANGEL ISLE MET DEATH IN SIBERIA

American Citizen Was Carried Off by Soviet Soldiery Aboard
Cruiser Red October and Shanghaied With Eskimo
Followers at Port of Vladivostok

A Russ Eye-Witness Tells Inner Story

By J. J. Larkin

Vancouver, Jan. 22.—Graphic details of the soviet expedition
have been obtained from one of its members, Ivan Melynk, who
recently returned from Vladivostok to Vancouver.

Melynk recounted how Moscow had secretly commissioned Cap-
tain B. V. Davidoff to command the expedition, with Captain E.
Vovefdoff under him as navigating officer of the Red October. On
board went a company of infantry as well as several meterological
and scientific experts. The soldiery were to re-assert the Russian
claim and to study the best means of fortifying the island, while
the scientists were to investigate its suitability for agriculture and
the production of meat.

Shortly after arrival on Wrangel, the Russians came upon the
American, Charles H. Wells, of Seattle, and his colony of Eskimo
hunters and trappers.

The soviet officials declared the colonists were operating on Rus-
sian territory without a license and without other necessary authori-
zations. Accordingly the American-financed party was told it
would have to leave Wrangel Island with the Red October when
that vessel sailed.

It was Hobson’s choice for Wells. Undoubtedly he believed that
he would be provided with transportation to Nome or Seattle.

Instead, he was landed, with his surviving Eskimo followers, at
Vladivostok. As the party’s fur catch ³ had been confiscated, all
were destitute.

Wells, being a citizen of the United States, appealed to the
government at Washington, and eventually some financial aid was
sent to him.

But it came too late. For on January 9th this hardy adventurer

³ Another despatch from Russia says the confiscated furs were 167 fox skins
and 40 bear skins. Assuming these figures correct and the quality of the furs
about the same as those secured by Ada Blackjack in 1923, Mr. Carl Lomen
values the foxes at $50.00 each or $8350.00 and the bears at $50 each or
$2000.00. The total value of the catch of Wells and his companions in one
year should, then, have been well over $10,000.00, for there is sure to have
been a good deal of ivory, sealskins, walrus hides, etc., besides the furs men-
tioned. This, Mr. Lomen figures, would show a very handsome annual profit
on a business in Wrangel Island operated from Alaska.