East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1905-10-17
MUTE EVIDENCE or MOUNTAIN TRAGEDY

one of the most mysterious stories
which has ever come into Boise from
the depths of the mountains, has been
brought in by c. Ellsworth. who has
just returned from hunting trip into
the Chamberlain country, says the
Boise Statesman. He made discov-
cry while there which indicates that
some woman. lost her life in the track
less wlds of that desolatc wilder
ness. ,g,
Far from all trails, remote from the
habitation of men, on the slope of
densely wooded mountain, he came
upon the belongings of woman. Her
valise, filled with fine wearing ap-
parel. was standing there defying the
weather In the vicinity were spread
about other articles of woman's wear
also a canvas and blankets used for
a bed. How they got there, why
they were left there, none can guess,
but they suggest that some woman,
well supplied with the comforts of
life, got far into that upheaved and
forest-crowned country, that she was
lost and abandoned her belongings,
wandering off into the ravines and
receSSes of the forbidding hills to die
elsewhere or that she was attacked
by wild beasts and thus lost the life
She had risked in going amid such
dangers.
On his hunting trip Mr.. Ellsworth
was accompanied by william Vale.
In the Chamberlain basin they camp
ed with Mr.. Allen, Al playhouse and
William Benson, the combined party
covering the surrounding country in
he search for big game
In the Wilderness.
Mr.. Ellsworth narrates that he was
hunting alone on the north slope of
the divide between Big creek and
Chamberlain basin at point eight
miles west of the Cabin creek trail.
and IL miles east Uf the Ramey ridge
trail 1t was a rough, broken country.
without trails of any kind and such
as no one but hunter or prospector
would enter unless he were lost. There
was nothing to attract anyone but a
hunter the region being perfect
wilderness.
From a point he saw near the top
of ridge what he deemed a good
country for elk and proceeded 20
climb the long slope toward it. After
he had Travelled perhaps two miles
through the timber and underbrush,
he was astonished to see what ap-
peared like n woman's garment hang
ing to a bush. Investigation showed
it to be waste OF pongee silk. The
sleeve was caught around the stem of
bush. Puzzled at finding such a
thing in so secluded a place, he put
the waist in his pocket. 1t showed 1t
had been exposed to the elements for
long time. The garment was nicely
trimmed with braid and had Valen-
ciennes lace about the neck.
Found a Valise.
Twenty feet further on he came up
ON handkerchief. and, going SO yards
up the hill he saw n valise. Investi-
CATION of the spot disclosed the fact
that a comDlete outfit was scattered
about. Near by was a folded canvas
tarpaulin. On 1t was a blanket fold
ed into a bundle about two feet
| square, and on that, or lying against
/ IT., was plush sofa pillow, one side
red, the other white The pillow was
cat-stitched about the edges with
white silk. Eight feet from the blan-
| ket was a pair of house slippers of
kid. No. in size as nearly as he could
| Ia oil fr nf
hose and a lady's waist of black serge
! trimmed with silk embroidery. In ad-
dition there was red and white dress
of percale torn to shreds. The dress
appeared as though it might have been
torn by some beast.
Mr.. Ellsworth then turned his at
tention to the vallse, which was about
20 inches long. foot wide and n foot
deep. He found 1t was locked, and
proceeded to cut it open with his
knife. 1t was filled with articles OF
"A woman's outfit, these being of a
character that indicated the owner
had been in the habit of dressing
well. He put as many of the articles
in his pockets as he could carry, and
made a list of those left behind, being
actuated by the thought that a de-
scription of these articles might lead
to a solution of the puzzling mystery
confronting him.
Looked for Signs.
He made some search about the
spot before leaving, looking particu'
larly for signs of a horse having beer
there. Nothing could be found, but
during the long period that must have
elapsed all signs might have disap
peared horse might have been rid
den up the mountain, but from
whence the rider could have come
loaded with such an outfit, Mr.. Ellis
worth cannot see. He has been in tn,