The Roanoke times. [volume] (Roanoke, Va.) 1890-1895, 1891-03-08

HE TIMES reporters have rapidly and
skillfully followed up the clews sur
rounding the mysterious disappearance
of Charles Cameron, of Mason's Cove.
A ssrong probability exists that his life
less remains are at the bottom of Roam
oke river. THE TIMES has organized a
searching party to explore the river this
morning. 1t will meet at tho mayors
office at 10 o'clock. Those who are
willing to assist with hard labor are in
vited. The merely curious are re-
quested to stay away.
a saddle Of the Muley-Morten mako
with one wood and one iron stirrup lying
in the Roanoke Development Companys
Office; crowd of men and two TIMES
reporters regarding the weather-beaten
equipment of horsemanship with more
than ordinary interest.
II think that is the saddle-yes I will
swear to it," Tho speaker was E. L.
Walden. He witnessed the horse mulo
trade between Charles Cameron and
Alex Ailiff on last Thursday a week
ago. The story of how the saddle was
found and of Cameron's disappearance
has already been published in TIE
TIMES.
The article was read by George w.
Garst who lives at Hanging rock, while
in Salem yesterday morning. Mr.. Garst
came Immediately to Roanoke and called
at THE TIMES Office. He was shown to
the place whore the saddle could be
found, and was satisfied it was tho sad
die which Cameron rode when he passed
by his house on his way to Roanoke.
In the meantime other important wit
nesses had been secured. Alex. AiliT. Il.
Il. Walden and two or three other men
who knew moro or less of the transac-
ton between Cameron and Ailiff, were
hunted up and identified the saddle.
Walden is very positive that the sad
die is tho one belonging to the missing
man, as he fastened the girth when it
was transferred from the mule to the
white horse. First, he noticed that one
stirrup was iron and the other was wood.
Second, the girth was tied with a
leather string on one side. Third, the
saddle was of the same pattern, and one
of stirrup straps was longer than the
other.
MIR. Garst said before looking at the
by E. II. Carper, of Salem, and on ex-
animation Carper's trade mark was
found on tho saddle in question.
Perhaps the best proof yet obtained
was tho white hairs sticking about on
the saddle. On examination thew
proved to be the same color of the horse
which is now in Ailiff's stable.
The horse was found by Ailin and
Tom Bell on Friday following Cameron's
visit to the city, near Sykes wagon
shop. The animal was without saddle
or bride. and Ailiff took him to Fur
rows. Furrow had made the trade for
Cameron with Ailiff, as the latter was
too drunk to consumaGe a bargain
Ailiff says he did not pay Cameron any
boot, but traded even.
1t has been further ascertained that
Cameron started to return by way of the
West End, and made inquiries about
that route. The fact that his saddle
was found near the foot bridge leading
to the lands of the Roanoke Develop
ment Company and at mouth of X
street tends to show that Cameron
actually decided to go in that direction.
Ailif thinks that Cameron was not
too drunk to ride carefully, but had a
bottle of whiskey in his pocket when he
was seen last.
The general theory seems to be that
Cameron rode into the river and was
drowned. The fact that the saddle was
left on the bank where the horse
entered is accounted for by his saddle
girth being loose and hanging down
when he passed Burrows house the last
time. In this event the horse must
have made plunge. throwing the
saddle off and dragging Cameron in
with him. The river was up at the
time, but even at low water the ford at
that point is very dangerous.
Emmett Mcdonald who lives at
Mason's Cove, near Mrs. Cameron's
house, was in the city yesterday for the
mule which had been turned over by
Ailiff to Furrow. Mcdonald SAYS Cam
eron has not yet returned home and
nothing has been heard of him in that
community.
John Cameron, brother of the miss
ing man, who lives in West Virginia,
will be here Monday, and will spare no
pains to investigate his brothers strange
disappearance.
The matter was reported to Chief
Morris yesterday regarding the identi-
fication of the saddle, and the circum-
stances surrounding the case as ascer-
tanned by The TIMES. Permission was
given to meet at the mayors office this
morning at 10 o'clock, when a TIMES
searching and drag party will be formed.
The chief promised the aid of two or
three officers, and Mr.. Genston said he
you'd bring down party from Masons
Cove.
The party will be under the direction
OF HE TIMES staff, and will proceed to
the place where the saddle was found,
and make an effort to recover the body