Los Angeles herald., 1891-09-27


following account by Mary j. Jones OF
recent gruesome desert incident:
For the benefit of some of your read
ers who never see or hear much of
desert life, / write an account of the
death, burial and funeral of a pros
pector, as given me by friend of mine,
who was one OF the jurors in the sad
case.
The deceased, John G. O'Brien, had
been working for some time last sum-
mer in Bear valley, and had started for
Pahrump ranch, Nevada, which lies just
beyond Death valley, California. In
company with two burros, which car
ried his provisions, blankets and water,
Mr.. O'Brien had reached Garlick springs,
thirty-eight miles from Daggett, where
he camped for the night, turning his
animals loose to browse on any tin cans,
rocks or shrubbery that might be found
I in the surrounding country.
\ In the morning no burros we're to be
seen so, after breakfast, with canteen
only half full of water, he started on
the back track for a more extended
search. He soon found that he had
walk before him of from twenty-five
to thirty miles over the hot, dry sands
and beneath scorchingsun, whose rays
must have had temperature of ITO to
100 degrees fahrenheit.
His water soon gave out, and none
could be obtained short of his journeys
end. He trudged along until he reached
place known as Coyote Holes, where
he lay down to die.
1t is characteristic OF persons on the
desert out Of water to lose their reason,
strip themselves OF their clothing and
throw it away piece by piece, until ma
ked, and finally they go to digging
holes with their hands in search of
water.
Mr.. O'Brien had not reached so ad-
vanced stage before he was rescued
the first time, for he related that he
kept his head in the shade of q bush
while his limbs lay stretched in the
sun, which was so hot that it cracked
his flesh underneath his clothing.
While he lay thus basking, or rather
baking in the sun, with his tongue
parched and swollen and awaiting
death, an emigrant wagon came along
from Death valley. On hearing it he
! his hand and signal for help.
He was picked up and brought into
Hawley's ranch, some ten miles from
Calico. After ten days he recovered suf-
ficiently to undertake to return across
the desert with his burros, which he
had found at this ranch.
He reached Coyote Holes, when his
burros broke away second time, and
he gave an Indian $5 to get them for
him. On returning, the Indian found
Mr.. O'Brien lying under bush sick.
The day following the burros returned
to the ranch, one having canteen tied
to its neck. In a few days, no one COM
ing after the stock, Mr.. Lefurger and
wife, thinking something might be
wrong with O'Brien, started in search OF
him. They found him lying dead under
bush by the roadside. They imme-
diately notified the justice of the peace,
who is ex' otficio coroner, and he sum-
moned jury to appear next morning.
At the appointed time the Judge and
jury started in four-horse stage for
their funeral trip toward Death valley.
They found the body lying under the
west side of bush, SO, evidently, the
man died in the morning. His hands
were closely drawn to his chest and his
fingers clenched. Forquite a number OF
feet around the bush we're marks in the
sand where he had evidently struggled
in pain. A hole had been dug, showing
that he was thirsting and trying to find
water. The flesh had shriveled and dried
to the bones.
After taking what valuables could be
found on the body, grave about four
feet deep was made, some ropes placed
under the body and it lowered to its last
resting place. A blanket was thrown
over the face and ground filled in. No
coffin could be had. A head board with
this epitaph:
.s...s........ .-............... ....-.-........-..