The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-10-09
MISSING JOHN MPHEE.
One Of tho Searching Party Returns
but Brings no News Of the
Missing Man.
The Story OF His Mysterious Dis
appearance From the Day
He Left Helena.

The Belief Now Is Tha He Became Lost In
tho Snowstorm, and Perlsl,ed
From Exposure.
II Ia now nine days since John McPhee,
treasurer of the Grand Republic Mining
company, was seen on the road between
Rimini and the Ontario mine, about twenty
miles from Helena. Since then not a trace
of him has been found, despite the fact that
half a hundred mon have secured the country
thoroughly. He has disappeared as com-
pletely a. though tho earth had opened and
swallowed him up. Tho latest news was
brought in yesterday by Jay Comstock,
vice-president of the Grand Republic, who
started on the search for the missing man
Tuesday morning last. It is unfortunate
that the hunt for McPhee did not begin un-
til he had been missing for nearly a week,
but such Is the fact, and yet there is no II
to blame. He left Helena Sept. 81 for Rim
mi, intending to 60 from that place to the
Grand Republic mine, a distance of eight
or nine miles. He had also announced his
intention, q day or two previous, Of visiting
tho Ioston smelter. His associates in Hell
Ona did not notice his absence particularly
for the frst two or three days, supposing he
had gone to Toston and then on to Rimini.
Thursday, a week ago. one of the mine en-
ployes came to Helena with an or
der on the treasurer. He was in
formed that Treasurer McPhee WAS not
in and 1t was supposed he WAS at
the mine. The man then went to see Mrs.
MoPhee, who said that if her husband was
not at the mine he must be at Toston. The
next day the miner, who had received his
money from other officers of Che company,
returned to the mine and told Superintsn-
dent Cook about not being able to and Mo
Phee. The latter became worried, and
Saturday evening came to Helena. After
consultation with the officers of the COM
pany, a telegram was sent to Rimini inquir-
ing for news of McPhse. No answer COM
ing, Mr.. Cook went to Rimini Sunday, and
ater wired to Helena that the missing man
had left that town for the Ontario mine on
he previous Wednesday. Then Messrs.
Comstock, Dodge and Carpenter, after try
ing to locate him from here. determined on
systematic search. Tuesday morning Jay
Comstock and w. G. Hickey started out.
Arriving at the Grand Republic, a CONSUL
Fation was held with Mr.. Cook, who said
be had a lot of men out, who had looked
llong and in the vicinity of the road be-
ween Rimini and the Onta rio mine. but
Without avail. Then the mine was closed
Town, and the twenty employees, reinforced
BY ten from the Ontario mine,
began the search. In the mean
ime some freighters had come in who
~ WY - 1iNtIA 1ir1t ~, tho r,0{knr MAInou-I
lay. Sept. 81, about three O'Clock in the
kfternoon, these mon, in charge of four
lighthouse ore wagons, had passed McPhee
n the road, about three miles from the
ontario mine. He was chem going in the
light direction. asked how far it was to the
ontario, they told him, and that is the last
race. 1t wax showing at the time, and
here was quito a fall on the ground, but
ne freighters say the tracks left BY the
our wagons must have been plain and dis
mot for quite a distance, giving McPhee a
kood guide to the Ontario, though he was
nacquaintsd with the road.
10 understand what the searching party
as done, an idea of the country in which
icPhes is supposed to be 10 given. The
Dad from Rimini to the Ontario mine
uns along the ridge of the mountain. At
ONE places it is quite precipitous, the
imber and undSrbrush. The most likely
lace, however. for McPhee to have wan
cred off the road, he had passed whom the
~reightsrs mot him. A little distance from
he Ontario mine the road forks off to Ellis
IN, passing the Grand Republic prop
rty. The main rond, however, continues
n over the ridge down to tho Monarch
hine. After passing the Elliston road,
here are q number Of Rulohes, in which
ne dead imber and underbrush ia very
nick.
Tuesday and Wednesday morning the
m rNhInD roOtfw avn m ~ nj avGru nOkin and |
respect hole. us we'll as the underbrush
pr a considerable distance back, along the
Pute between Rimini and tho forks of the
Dad. Wednesday afternoon the gulches
nd country on the other side of the On
rio, and down toward the Monarch were
Parched. All of this only resulted in find
, & the imprint of a mans foot, almost
blitsrated. 1t was thought this might be
clue, but tho most persistent search in
cinity failed to reveal anything more.
To-day there will be fifty or sixty men
touring tho country. A large number
nights went from Helena, and the full
rec of tho Grand Republic and palt of
pe Ontario will also join. 1t seems to be
. opinion Of those who know the country
At McPhee has not been foully dealt
i 1ia n but that m;.s. he pa passed ra,d the e On In
rand Republic, then in attempting to
# across the country to that property lost
a way and was either attacked by a wild
limal. or persisted from the exposure.
sdnesday night it was bitterly cold in
at section; Thursday it rained all day and
at night also it was quite cold. Alto,
fther some three feet Of snow fell in the
cinity. McPhee did not smoke, and was
yer known to carry n revolver. The pos
bilities arc he had no matches to start 4
Q, after he found he was lost, and no
Bapon to protect himself from wild ami
ais. The country is densely wooded, and
ough the snow has now almost gone, still
orough searching is most difficult. It
ems strange that a man should disappear
completely. within a, comparatively few
les of Helena, but when the severe storm,
Q natural difficulties of the country, and
9 fact that McPhee WAS not used to
ughing it are considered, there 10 little to
bnder at.
A reward of 5000 has been offered for the
covsry of the body Of McPhee. This re-
nd is pledged by Mrs. Phee, the Grand
public Mining company, the Catholic
Nights of America, and by mem
"a Of the A.. o. U. w. 1t
hoped in this way to enlist tho
\ of prospectors and others who other
50 might not Join in the search. The
ssing man has n great many friends in
lena. having lived in the stnte for twelve
Ars, and been in positions where he was
fown in with a large number OF people,
was for a tim the accountant at the