Bisbee daily review. [volume] (Bisbee, Ariz.) 1901-1971, 1908-08-14
TRAGEDY Of
DESERT NEAR
COYOTE WELL
Man Who Started Across
Twelve Miles of Desert With
His Family and Team Loses
His Life.

IMPERIAL, Aug. 13.-Late Satur-
day afternoon William Vessel and
). NJ. Whitman left for the scene of
the desert ragedy TO bring in the
body Of the victim.
It seems that there was but one
death, instead of four, as first runors
mad it, but the incident affords a stir
ring story of tAe desert, such as was
repeated many times before this val
ley was settled but which is becom-
ing uncommon and unnecessary now
that e large portion Of the former
desert IS inhabited.
A man and wife and two children
left the valley for the mountains Of
San Diego county and failed to take
water with them.
Unfamiliar with desert travel. the
man insisted he would have no use
for water in crossing the twelve miles
of desert before him to reach Coyote
well.
The road is heavy across this strip
of country and Wednesday morning
opened as the days have been open
ing recently, Suitry and oppressive.
When within two miles of Coyote
well the team became exhausted, and
the man unhitched the horses and
led them to the well to water them.
He then started on the return trip,
but had gone but a short distance
when one of the horses dropped dead
The man then proceeded with the
other horse, evidently thinking he
could pull the load to the well, but
before he reached the wagon the man
dropped dead.
< The con rTb -
party went to look for his father and
found his body, carrying the sad news
| to his mother.
The wife and two children then
made their way to the well on foot
and there they were found and a
messenger started at ONCE to bring
the news 10 the valley. though he
failed to ascertain the name OF the
man.
Immediately on hearing of the
tragedy Coroner Mitchell instructed
Mr. Vessel to go after the body and
Sheriff Meadows deputized J. NJ Wit
man to represent him and assist in
bringing in the body and the surviv.
ors to the valley They are expected
TO return some time tonight
Coyote well Is to the southwest Of
4 lttC SFhtiFA pOt NlOn Vi tue Nd1lSgs Oh
the well defined road to San Diego
land there is no doubt that iaad water
been taken on the trip the horses and
persons would all have stood the trip
iwelI, but the absence of water, the
iexertion of walking to the well and
back in the heat of the sultTy fore
noon and realization that mis- family
was in dangerous position we're toe
much for tAe man, and It is believed
heart failure resulted.
| From the word brought 20 the val
Hey It appears the woman and chill
dren were in good condition when the
messenger left and as there were
nen t;lere with food and there was
plenty OF water, there is little occa
sion 10 fear for the safety Of other
members cs the )srty.
Il is believed the unfortunate man
was a Mr.. Pulley, who came to the
VALLEY some months ago and raised a
crop of csntaloupes near Ell Centre
IA telegram was sent to brother
OF this man Who lives in West River
side. last night though a Mr. Smith
who came in from Coyote well this
morning says the name ~ the mar
was Lock
There we're two men living near
by. one OF whom started at once for
1.-THE valley 20 bring the news and
the other remained 10 protect the wo
man and children until relief could be
obtained.