August 6, 1896 

   “The arctic ocean doesn’t seem to be the most delectable place for a birth-place. But a baby was born there not long ago on Herschel island. This was nearer to the north pole than any baby was ever born before. Of course, there are Eskimo babies in the arctic region, but not so far north as this, and besides, this was a white baby.

   Herschel island is off the north coast of Alaska, 1,500 miles farther north than Sitka. There are a few white people on the island, families of the whalers who cruise in these waters. There was great excitement over the arrival of the little stranger, and the wives of the four whaling captains who were there, were ready to almost idolize her; an Episcopal minister was in the camp at the time, having been sent there as a missionary.

   With all the ceremony possible in such a place, the little girl was christened Helen Herschel Sherman, her father being Capt. Sherman. The baby came at the season of the year which has continuous daylight, and seemed very much pleased with such a sunny world. She may be lost in wonder when the long night comes.”

(The Ottawa Republican – Ottawa, Franklin County, Kansas)

[Herschel Island is off the north coast of the Yukon, not Alaska – this error was common]