Sharp County record., 1879-08-14
LOST on THE PLAINS.
Two Young Men Separate From a Party
and Perish,


A party of 16 surveyors, in the en-
plOy of the Government, under COM
mand of Maj. Medary, left this city a
short time ago, says the Trinidad Ne'1S,
for a tour eastward TO the Indian Ter
ritory line. Nothing more would have
been thought Of the party, but for the
arrival in this city yesterday of Mr..
Havenner and a companion, who be-
longed to the corps, who reported the
horrible fate of two of their companions
and the narrow escape of three others.
The circumstances of the case are about
as follows:
After leaving Trinidad the company
proceeded eastward, and we're soon at
work locating townships. On the morn
ing of Thursday, the 9TH inst, a squad
of five men was sent out from a point
on Willow Creek to run a transit due
north Is miles, with orders to join the
camp at nightfall. The men perform
ed the work assigned them and az dusk
set out for camp, which had also been
travelling northward during the day.
The surveyors started east from heir
objective point and after walking SIX
miles, made camp. Ia going in this
direction they made a great
mistake; for they should have
gone due west after finishing their work
in order to find the camp wagons.
Comprehending their mistake, and be-
ing very thirsty and out Of provisions,
it was proposed to travel south in hopes
of striking the creek. Two of the party
refused to do this, prefer1ing to remain
where they were, hoping that the camp
ing outfit would come up to them IN
few hours. Friday morning the three,
headed by Mr.. Sheets, started for Cariso
Springs. They lost their way, and
would have perished but for the timely
arrival on Monday of men from the
camp, who were in search of them.
The search for the other two (whose
names we're S. NJ. Winchester ana Will
liam Johnson) was continued with an
interest bordering on frenzy. Not until
Monday, the 9th, did the searchers get
any clew of the missing men. About 2
O'Clock p. m. on that day they came up
on poor Winchester out upon the open
plains; but he was too far gone to be
saved A few DROPS of water were given
him, but in five minutes he was a corpse,
dying in the arms of a companion, who
had arrived too late.
Further search was made for Johnson.
A large rock, which lowered up grand
lY on the boundless plains, was visited,
and there, in a crevice, was found
note from Winchester, dated the Ith,
saving that Johnson and he were lost,
but had made up their minds to 90
south in the hope of striking the Will
low. The note was written in a firm
hand and showed that the writer was in
his right mind The diligent searchers
started south, and after travelling six
miles were rewarded by finding a can
teen belonging to Johnson. For three
days more they secured the prairies on
horseback in every direction, and on
Thursday. the 18th, gave up the search,
unsuccessful in finding the unfortunate
man. The coyote has probably found
him, and ere this has devOured all that
remained of a once bright and promis-
ing young man. Winchester wastaken
up to camp and buried beside a spring
of cool water and his grave marked.
He was from Baltimore, Maryland, was
about % years old, and is said to have
been the son of wealthy parents. In
two months he was to have become the
possessor of 100000 from an estate. He
was a very brilliant young man and uni
versally beloved by 'his acquaintances.
Johnson was p years of age, a native
of Baltimore, but has been in the West
some time. His fate is sad one, and
his loss is deeply regretted by every one
familiar with the hardships of Western
life.