The Elk advocate. [volume] (Ridgway, Elk Co., Pa.) 186?-1868, 1866-08-23

DEATH OF GEORGE GILLIs.-Mr. |
ellis whose death is described in the
following article, which we clip from
the Duly Reese Biccr RcrcjUc, prin-
ted at Austin in the. state Of Nevada,
was formerly a resident of this place
and is well and favorably remembered
by many Of our citizens. lie was the
son of Euos ellis, one of the earliest and
most respected settlers Of this country,
with whom cur readers have been made
familiar through the History of Elk
County.
DIsCURsIVE NOTES OF TIE BLAsDEL
PARTY.-In the course Of an hours
conversation with Governor Blasdel, at
the house of Mr. Slauson, last evening,
and while his numerous friends were
calling and chatting, we gathered a few
discursivc incidents Of the trip from
Silver Peak to Pahranagat, and thence
to Austin via Indian Springs. We
have already mentioned the death Of a
member of the party, named ellis,
from Virginia City. He died in Ash
valley, through which the Armagosa
river flows, and not in Death Valley, as
previously stated. Ash valley onrbra-
cos beautiful tract Of land, we'll water
ed, and covered with rich growth of
nutritious grass. This had been happi-
ly chosen as the principal camp Of the
party, from which small squads would
explore Tor a practicable route towards
Pahranagat, while their iaded animals
were being recruited. ellis was one Of
party Of three men employed in this
service, and after travelling several days,
and their supply Of water having been
exhausted, they searched for fresh
supply. At the time the general camp
was selected, certain signals had been
agreed upon for instance, an exploring
party returning to the main camp, were
to light fire and keep it burning, and
if it,were seen at the general camp, it
was to be answered by three fires, placed
about 100 feet apart, and lighted simul-
taneously, and after the lapse Of few
minutes, three pistol shots were also to
be fired. Two of the party had gone
down into a ravine, where they hoped to
find water, leaving Gillis behind with
the pick and shovel, to join them when
signaled. They found no water and
after three quarters Of an hour, they
returned to where they had left Gillis,
who was gone. They went to their
camp, but he was not there, and not re-
turning, they concluded he had set out
for the main camp. Ia day or two
they returned there, and learned that
ellis had neither come in nor been
heard from. One evening before their
return, the occupants Of the camp saw a
fire suddenly flash up on the summit Of
hill about nine miles distant. They
concluded it was an absent party, and
Immediately answered by the agreed
signals. Eight days from that evening
about midway of the hill upon which
the fire had been seen and the principal
camp, and on the direct course for tho
latter place, party found the body oI
Gillis, reclining in the sand with hi.
head upon a sage bush-his features as
placid as if he slept. He was dead
Excessive fatigue had induced his deatl
from disease of the heart, to which, i
appears, he had been subject The
fire seen on the distant Hill was explain
ed; it was the signal of GiIlis, who OBJ
serving it answered, had made directly
for the camp, until disease arrested hi
steps, and he lay down to die. lie haC
been absent ten days, and had died q
the evening of the second day.