The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1897-06-04
TWO EXPLORERS KILLED.
WELLS AND JONES WERE MURDERED
By AUSTRALIAN BLACKS.

Articles Belonging to Them Found Among tho
Ratives-They Disappeared East Summer
ana n Camel Party Has Heen Seeking Them
for MANY Months AnonE the BavnEes.
San FRANCISCO, June 3.-News from Adelaide.
South Australia, brought by steamer, indicates
that tho two missing explorers Of the Calvert
expedition. Wells and Jones, were killed by ma
tives. l.. A. Wells, cousin Of one Of tho missing
men, has sent a despatch from Derby. West
Australia, saying that he found q native wear
ing q breech clout made from his cousins trou.
sers. The native said tho white man had been
killed in tho southwest. They promised to lead
Wells to the place next day, but in the night de-
camped. They said the two white men were
slain, and Wells followed their directions.
He came upon q party OF natives near the spot
described. They had O tomahawk and several
dishes which Wells identified as belonging to
his cousin. They were sullen and threatened to
spear Wells.
Another story comes from the upper onkover
River OF two tall white men riding camels who
were speared on Bloomer River by a large party
Of natives. Balck, who told this story. wore O
heavy silver watch chain around his neck.
which he said belonged to one Of the men, but
neither Of the missing men Of the Calvert ex-
petition wore such n chain. 1t Is thought these
white men were mining prospectors.
Tho unfortunate men of the Calvert expedi-
tion are Charles +. Wells, tho second In COM
mand, and ]. w. Jones, tho geologist. This ex-
petition was fitted out by Mr.. Albert T. Calvert,
a wealthy gentleman who has taken much In
terost In Australian exploration. 1t started
from the little settlement OF Cue. In West Aus
tralia, in June last year. The expedition con-
sisted of five persons, under the leadership of
Mr.. l.. A. Wells. 1t had twenty camels to carry
tho baggage. and was equipped with everything
that money could supply to. insure the safety Of
tho party and facilitate the scientific work. It's
purpose was to cross the inland desert from
south to north, emerging on the north coast 1t
would thus traverse a vast urea OF country that
had not been seen by any explorer.
Few details Of tho fortunes of the party have
yet been received. but 1t Is known that II suf-
fcred terrible hardships and nearly porished
owing to scarcity of water. But the expedition
actually crossed the desert, and to that extent
II carried out the programme prepared for II.
When IL reached the Fftzroy River, In the north
ing and the others were more dead than alive.
While yet 800 miles from tho Fitzroy River,
Charles +. Wells and Geologist Jones were di-
rected to leave the route and make a flying trip
eighty miles west. 1t was expected that the
trip would take only a few days, and they were
instructed where to meet the main party. Moth
Ing was seen OF them later. The only hope that
they were alive seemed to rest upon the posi-
bility that they met natives who succored them,
Just as they saved the life Of Mr.. King, the only
survivor of the Burke expedition in 1861. Tho
main party waited for the missing men for sew
eral days after the appointed time, but their
own necessities compelled them to pass on.
When the news reached the mouth OF the
FitZruy River, II flying column with camcls was
fitted out TO search for the lost men. The re-
lief party started on Dec. 3. There was, how
ever, no hope that the party had found the two
men alive unless they me, natives and were
coast could reach them.