Los Angeles herald., 1892-07-19
LOST ON THE DESERT,
San Diego Prospectors and
Their Plight.
They Went Too Far in the Back
Country.
Their Deserted Wagon Found But No
Trace of the Men-A Miner
and a Capitalist In
the Party.

The following story is taken from the
San Diego Union
On June 4th, s. l. Breedlove, his son
O. w. Breedlove, and capitalist named
Fish, who lately arrived from Pennsyl-
vanis, set out for the Cocopah country,
in Lower California. Their outfit con-
sisted of wagon, three mules, thirty
days provisions, rifles, blankets, etc.
Since leaving Campo nothing has been
heard of them. Becoming uneasy, A.
W. Jewell of this city, who is interested
in their trip, set out from Campo about
a week or ten days ago with a searching
party.
They took up the trail at Campo and
followed it to Mountain Spring, some
twenty-five miles farther east, ON the
old stage trail to Yuma. Beyond Noun
tain Spring few miles the trail left the
stage road and led in south and east.
erly direction towards the Cocopah
mountain. The trail of the wagon was
followed for miles, and as the hours
passed the party began to experience a
sense OF relief, as every step brought
them nearer the objective mountains.
Two days passed, and far to the east
and south could be discerned purplish
line rising from that ocean of sand, and
examining it with glass it proved to
be range of hills, on which was dis
cerned some scrubby timber. The party
pressed on, but in short time were
brought to a sudden stop, while ex-
clamations of horror escaped them.
What was the cause To the uninitiated
it was nothing; only an abandoned
wagon beside the trail, but to that little
party OF searchers it spoke volumes and
told fearful story.
Silently they approached the wagon
and looked in. A sigh of relief escaped
them as the vehicle did not contain the
expected CHASTITY occupants. Then be-
gun careful and thorough search of the
wagon. One half the provisions and
gallon of brandy were there, but the
water cask was empty. Across the seats
lay the rifles, revolvers and coats of the
men for whom they were searching. In
small valise belonging to Fish was
diary written up to June 18th, but this
told no tale of suffering. On the ground
was the harness of the mules, in a posi-
ton which indicated that it had been
taken off and laid down. From the
wagon there were some half obliterated
tracks leading toward the range of hills.
This trail was taken up and followed
and after hours of hard riding they were
reached. The tracks led straight up
narrow wooded caf1on to water hole
previously unknown. Around this
spring or water hole were tracks and
signs which indicated the mules had
been there within ten days. But where
were their riders? Shots were fred and
the hills searched, but no trace of them
could be discovered.
Again the little party took the back
trail, and dividing rode on each side,
keeping careful watch for any evidence
of their having dismounted. None was
found. On reaching the wagon more
! minute search was made. The tires and
rifle barrels were rusty, indicating that
they had been laying there for weeks.
The tracks of the mules led away from
the wagon in manner which showed
that the men had ridden side by side,
and there was no sign of tagging. But
their riders, where are they now?
The elder Breedlove is a miner and
prospector of long experience and in
ured to hardship. Everything indicates
that he at least was in full possession of
his faculties when the wagon was aban-
doned, as the gallon of brandy was left
untouched, he knowing that in their
condition it was suicide to take it. 1t is
| also quite evident that the mules were
allowed to choose their own course, as
-only man of experience knows that
their unerring instinct will take them
| direct to the nearest water.
| The most Suspicious fact is that no
note was left indicating to whom the
property belonged or why the outfit was
lett on the desert. The absence of this
| information indicated that they expect
ed to return after finding water. They
found the water, but did they attempt
to return? If go their friends fear the
| worst.
With the hot, burning glitter of the
sand in ones eyes, it is impossible al
most to see anything on the surface a
mile or two ahead. Again it is possible
that after reaching water the mules
broke away from them and the men are
now in the mountains. If such is the
case they will be cared for by the Indi-
| ans, or are almost certain to meet with
| other miners.
O. w. Breedlove, it will be remem-
bered, was implicated in the killing of
Brown, the sailor from the Charleston,
about a. year ago, and has wife and
children in this city.
Mr.. Fish 10 Pennsylvania capitalist
who came out here few months ago
with his wife and children and took
rooms at the Keystone, 943 Tenth street,
where his wife is now lying almost
crazed from the terrible suspense. She
has telegraphed home, and two brothers
of her husband are Low on the way to
join in the search.
Mr.. Jewell returned to the city yester-
day morning with the above informa-
ton, but left in the evening for Campo,
from which place several search parties
will start today.