Amador ledger., 1900-03-16
William Reedy Perished
Near Oleta.
THREE Weeks OF WANDERING ENDS IN death
The Body Was In Good Condition.
The Ghastly Find Was Made
By Arthur Starns.

ne mysteries surrounding tne sud-
den disappearance of William Reedy
from the home of his son-in-law, Ern-
est Downing at Sutter Creek last
month have been cleared away. The
remains of the aged wanderer have
been found.
William Reedy arrived at Sutter
Creek from Pleasanton, on Satur-
day evening, February 18th, to visit
the family of his son-in-law, Ern-
est Downing. He stayed over night
and the following morning Sunday
told his daughter he was going up to
the Lincoln mine where her husband
was at work. Hour after hour passed,
but Reedy did not return, and when
night came he was still absent. Search
was begun Immediately, but without
avail.
On Monday morning, the 18th, a
systematic search was begun. The
old man was traced through Amador
City to within short distance of
Oleta. Constable D. F. Gray was
thorough in his search, but Reedy had
thirty-six hours start and the track
ing was difficult. At one time Gray
was within half mile of him, the
footprints being lost on stretch of
ground of a lava formation.
He was seen by a Chinaman between
Volcano and Oleta, who gave good
description of the demented wanderer.
Last Sunday morning, upon receipt
of a message that the body of the miss
| ing man had been discovered by
Arthur Starns, near Oleta, Constabl
Gray and Undertaken E. Roberts of
Sutter Crek, departed Immediately for
that place. The Coroner was notified
and left Monday morning also.
Arthur Starns discovered the body
Saturday afternoon at four o'clock
about two miles above Oleta, and not
ified Constable Gray.
Upon the arrival of the authorities
the body and it's surroundings were
minutely examined, after which the
body was placed in a coffin brought for
that purpose, and carried about a
quarter of mile to the nearest road
and placed in a conveyance. Coroner
Gritton then held an inquest, the
Constable and undertaken having to
serve on the jury in order that it
might be complete. After careful in
vestigation it was found that William
Reedy came to his death on or about
the 10th day of February while wand
ering in the woods while partially in
sane. The Coroner's jury consisted of
D. F. Gray, E. Roberts, James R.
Nose, r. d. Jones, Joseph Putt and D.
Hutchinson.
Reedy was described as follows:
Height, five feet and three inches;
weight, los or ITO pounds; age, 70 years;
complexion, sandy; chin whiskers two
and one-half inches long, red and
slightly mixed with gray. Deceased
had on suit of dark. clothes, white
shirt, but no collar and wore black
derby hat, on the inside of which his
name was written. In his pockets
were found $3.50 in coin, pocket
knife and an old style stem winding
watch.
The body was brought to Sutter
Creek Sunday and was shipped from
lone to Pleasanton for interment, Tues
day, accompanied by his son-in-law,
who came up Sunday night, and Ern-
est Downing.
The remains were in good condition,
neither exposure nor animals injuring
them. No bruises or wounds were
found upon the body.
A reward of $40 was offered for the
recovery of the body by Ernest Down
ing, also 800, the latter being sent
to Arthur Starns Monday by Constable
Gray.