The morning call., 1894-05-08
LOST IN THE SIERRA MADRE
Provisions Gave Out When Far
From the Water Supply.
RESCUERs FIND DEAD BODIES.
How Two Denver Men and Phila-
delphian Died of Starvation
in Old Mexico.

Francis Murphy, an American engineer
and mining man. returned to this city
from Mazatlan, Mexico, yesterday and
states that be was a member OF search
party that left Durango about i've weeks
ago TO find the whereabouts of ii. l..
Denton, C. P. Hail, Frank Turnstall.
Americans, and two Mexican guides, who
started from Salto, State of Durango, on
a prospecting and hunting expedition into
the Sierra Madre Mountains.
The men mentioned left Denver. Colo,
some months ago in company with hr.
Freeman, who is purported 10 belong ln
st. Louis, and two New York gentlemen.
The three latter, together with an Indian
guide and several MeXicans, arrived back
at Salto, just before the expedition W as
sent in search of their comrades. in half
starved, ragged and badly used-up condi-
tion. They reported that they had run
short of provisions in the mountains, lost
their way and became separated from
Denton, Hall and TurnStall and the bal
ance of their party.
A relief party was Immediately orgaG-
lied, Murphy. two American h:iners and
a number Uf MeXlcanS constituting the
searchers.
The bleak and almost inaccessible parts
of the Sierra Madre range were explored.
In a raviue nearly foIty-two miles from
Salto part of camping outht belonging
to the missing men was discovered. A
blind trail was followed for ten miles over
the most rugged and lnhOspita bic OF the
mountain region.
At one point pole had been driven into
the ground, to which had been fastened a
torn shirt and a piece of paper, on which
was printed with pencil the wor1s. "Out
OF provisions; no water; have struck out
Tor the foot of this canyon"
Five miles in a westerly direction from
this signal the bodies of Denton and Hall
were found lying oD their backs. Several
camping utensils, a Winchester rife and d
number of cartridges were scattered about
the spot.
The bodies were partly devoured by
coyotes, but were easily identified. The
clothing had nearly all been torn from
Halls body. Denton's remains were badly
dlsfguTed.
The remains Of the two men were
burned with solemn ceremony and a
mound of stones raised over them.
No further time was then lost in push
ing the hunt for TurnstalI and the Mexi-
cans.
The search party was divided. one-half
going north and the other half going east
ward.
A blind trail led the northbound party
into a part of the mounts tains that could
not Oe travelled through and the searchers
were forced to turn back. their own pro-
visions running low and the water supply
being too far removed for safety.
The other party was entirely unsuccess-
full in finding any trace Of Turnstall. al
though il remained out for nearly ten days.
1t is supposed that all of she missing
men have died Of starvation.
Denton and Hail must have become sep
arated from Turnstali and the guides or
else were abandoned in a dying condition
by their comrades, who perhaps thought it
best to push forward and obtain help.
The mountains where the unfortunate
prospectors lost their lives are exceedingly
wild and easy TO be lost in.