The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1898-01-20
A MYSTERY CLEARED UP
The Remains of William Harden
brook Are Found.
HE MET DEATH IN A SWAMP
Disappeared About Year and a Half
Ago-All Efforts to Find Him
Proved Futile-Discovery an
Accidental One.

Word reached this city yesterday
morning from Deer Lodge that the re-
mains of William Hardenbrook who
mysteriousIy disappeared from that city
about is months ago, were found. The
particulars of the finding of the body
are very meager and all that could be
learned of the discovery was contained
in a telephone message.
1t appears that just north of Deer
Lodge is big field or meadow known
as Larabie's field, and in this place is
where Hardenbrook' remains were
found. The field is big swamp, and
1t is covered by rank growth of will
lows and shrubbery. 1t is the general
report that Nick Bielenberg is the man
who made the discovery. Mr.. Bielen
berg was out hunting rabbits at the time
and while passing through Larabie's
field he ran across an old hat. This
aroused his attention and upon making
a more thorough search he found the
bones of man. The snow was quite
deep upon the field and nothing further
was disclosed. The place where the
body was found is about three miles
from Deer Lodge city.
The disappearance of Mr.. Harden
brook, at the time of it's occurrence,
caused great deal of excitement and
for many months a vigorous and syste-
matte search was maintained by the
relatives and friends of the deceased.
Mr.. Hardenbrook was about SIS or 20
years of age, but he was hale and
hearty and it was his custom to each
day take long walks. On the day of his
disappearance he was seen by a Mrs.
Higgins taking his daily stroll. The
woman saw him pass her house and go
in the direction of the swampy field
mentioned above. After that no one
saw Mr.. Hardenbrook.
Immediately upon its becoming known
that he was lost searching parties start
ed out in quest of him. Footprints were
found in the Larabie field and also in
swampy piece of ground known as
kohr's swamp. The footprints led to
nothing and search as they might, the
party was unable to find any trace of
the lost man.
Dredges were put to work and for a
distance OF nearly three miles Cotton
wood creek was raked to the bottom
but the efforts We're barren of results
Next the Deer Lodge river was dredged
but the searchers were no more success
full here. Reports from Enthusiastically
sources then began to come in and the
anxious friends of the lost man were
sent on wild goose chaSeS all over the
country. After months of untiring
search the quest was given up. 1t was
supposed at the time that Mr.. Hard
enbrook had in some manner wandered
Lodge river, and had been swept away
by the current.
The underbrush in the field where
yesterdays discovery was made is very
thick and it is thought that the old
man became entangled in the willows
and was unable to extricate himself
The ground is very DOGGY and this fact
also served to cause him to become ex-
hausted. While he probably made a
brave effort to free himself, the natural
weakness, resulting from such great
age, was sufficient to soon be made
apparent, and after struggling for
time Mr.. Hardenbrook most likely sue
cumbed to the great strain and laid
down to die.
Mr.. Hardenbrook was one of the pio-
neers in Montana, and he joined one of
the first parties of hardy men who
crossed the plains in 1849. He leaves
wife and family. Two brothers of the
dead man reside in this city. Coroner
Hardenbrook and Deputy Sheriff c. X.
Hardenbrook. Upon learning of the
discovery these two gentlemen left i'm
mediately for Deer Lodge. While the
circumstances surrounding the disap-
pearance and death of Mr.. Hardenbrook
are very sad, the discovery of his re-
mains lifts the veil of uncertainty as to
his whereabouts. and in this fact some
little consolation may be had.