The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-02-03

tended along tho telegraph line three alter
natives presented themselves TO my mind. one
follow tho rude trail up the coaSt 10
the westward, for / was surc we would come
the line. The second was to proceed along
t6e trail in the opposite direction. The third
alternative wns % go back to the oiuh over
looking tho wreck md stay there.
Points of Uncertainty.
I was not suro that the vaIenca was
equipped with proper Ufo-saving apparatus ia
ehcot a line ashore. Furthermore. I did not
know how far the vessel might bo ard again
II early In the morning that We would
be obliged to woit considerable length OF
time before It would be light enough TO do
wcst along the rail appeared the best and 80
stated TO the rcst Of the boys and thoy agreed
TO proceed In the way | Indicated.
Boys Began to Wonder.
There objection about going west.
but some OF the boys little later wondered
Cecn better 10 80 the other way At this
point l called them all together, for It was
discouraging 10 think that there might be
possible disscnson and I did not want the
party divided / was convinced that the only
ccmplishmcnt and 90 stick 10 II and I 80 In
formed them and after thnt all went
along
In Pitiable Condition.
Bunker declared that the mon In the party
were in Pltiable condition. Two Of thom were
without shoes one man suffering great
pain from q sproined ankle, and fourth had
on injured hand and was otherwise injured.
Tho witness said II with great difficulty
they succeeded in reaching the telegraph hut
and that for tac ha had grave doubts OF
being able TO get all OF the men there.
Impossible to Return.
Bunker is a robust and said that physi-
cally he was In the best condition OF any OF
the nine whom they reached the hut. 1T
would have boon physical impossibillty for
mo TO havo returned to tho wreck that night"
Fal In hat
night so flooded the banks OF Darling river
which we had crossed, that cycn Logan. tho
day.
The witness said that he found the cork in
life prcssryerS washed ashore TO have cruu1-
bled He was OF the opinion, he said, that
the cork had been pressed. but had fallen
apart after being soaked in the water and
buneted In the breakers. L was led to be-
lcvc from my observations" no said, that
the cork IN these preservers was made OF the
old stoppcrs from bottles"
cork life prescrver shown the WITT
ness and he said It was OF better quality than
the ones he saw at the scene OF the wreck
Tules Became Heavy.
The witnesses objection to tue preservers
was that they became heavy after being In
the water for time He found one. he snid
that just barely floating It's SPECIFIC
gravity" he said was nearly the eamc as
the water in which Il was immersed
In all fairness I wish 10 stntc that this
belt had collected a quantity OF sand In 1t and
OF course this added some weight to II"
had beon shown tule belt which had been
in the water for ntty-three hours.
Do you think II is the best kind made?"
tnink II Is the most buoyant," replied
Inspector Whitney.
Dramatic Scene Occurs.
dramatic scene occurred when Bunker had
finished relating his experiences and spoke OF
the CRITICISMS that no said he understood had
been made regarding his actions after reach
Ing shore
II have been accredited 1 hear, with re-
haf I had lOnt
children. did not care what became OF the
others think there is no further occasion
will say L believe those who were with mo
must have misunderstood existing conditions
owing to their condition ut the time
Did ALI in His Power.
II did all In my power to assist the poor
fellows with me- he continued. ''and I don't
me for what / have done. Does II ioof M
II had lost my interest In mankind whom I |
poor fellows. or would have gone haex - |
search for the decd and risk my life In cross
Ing the Darling river md in the tugs? / WAS |
across the mangled bodies OF my" But the |
witness was overcome with emotion ana he |
hesltat@d 10 speak further.
During the recital OF his answer to tho |
charges made against him and throughout the |
ditors showed intense interest Tears cIistonod
In the eyes of many when the speaker had |
finished. and Capt Turner said;
Mr.. Bunker. my opinion In this matter ha.
changed materially since 1 have heard your
statement" $3.50
Inspectors Sympathetic.
The inspectors and others present sbooL
hands with the witness the conclusion ~
the hearing and extended their sympathy 10
him. y"
The hearing is expected to be concluded t
morrow morning when Capt Cousins com
mandinG the Queen and others not nov, IL
the city win be called. :"
TWO UTAH BILLS PASS
Surveyor of Customs and Fish Culture
Station Assured