Amador ledger., 1909-09-17
DIED IN THE MOUNTAINS.
e. D. 6uptiIl found
Unconscious and Dying

Elbridge ID. Ouptill, VINO mas Deen
employed about the upper and lower
cattle ranges of w. H. Blakely for the
past ten years, was found on Friday
afternoon last lying on the bank Of the
Volcano ditch in the vicinity of Panther
creek in an unconscious state. Mr.
Blakely left the range that morning on
the way to his ranch near Drytown. |
In his absence the duty of looking after
the mountain range where the cattle are
now pasturing devolved upon Guptill,
who has been like one of the family for
number of years. So early the same
morning he started from the Bakely
mountain home to visit a point six
miles from the dwelling house. He was
expected TO return between 2 and 3
O'Clock. Failing to come back at the
time, Mrs Blakely became anxious
about him, knowing that he was not in
robust health. SO Charles Wallenberg,
who is in charge of the Standard Electric
sawmill, was sent out to see what was
the matter At point about AZ miles
from the house he found Guptill lying
on the bank of the Volcano ditch, un-
conscious, and evidently in serious
condition, as indicated by his heavy
respiration. He tried to rouse him, but
this was impossible, so he hurried back
to the house and reported the facts. Mr.
Blakey was notified on his way to the
lower RANCH and FASTENED back to the
scene. Also party of four men was
secured to return to the spot where the
man lay and bring him home. A
stretcher had to be made for that pur-
pose. Guptill was found practically in
the same condition. He was placed on
the stretcher and they started on the
homeward trip, which over the mountain
trails was difficult and dangerous task.
They had to follow the ditch most of the
way and it led them over fumes. They
started to pack him home about 5
O'Clock, and it was near midnight when
they reached the end of their journey.
Guptill died on the way, about twenty
minutes past nine O'Clock. Those who
carried him home were Charles Wallen-
berg, Dan Bowen, L. Werly, and Jess
Bonneau.
When found in dying state, Guptill
had block of wood placed under his
head for pillow, also number of fish
in his coat pocket He had evidently
been some distance further than the spot
where found, and was on his way home
when, feeling sick and tired, he laid
down to rest. He had a quantity of
oakum in his pocket. 1t is customary
to take this material along when travel
ing along the ditch for the purpose of
plugging leaks in the flume. Deceased
must have fixed leaky place before his
fatal attack as the ditch tender noticed
that water was flowing in larger volume
than before Guptill passed along the
ditch. No doubt he gathered the fish he
had in his pockets from the point above
} the leak-the fish being stranded.
DR.. Gall was sent for as soon as pos
sible after the man was found, but it
was impossible for him to travel in the
: night, and before he was ready to start
word came that he was dead, No in
quest was held 1t was deemed I'M
necessary. Guptill had been under
treatment for Bright's disease by DR..
Goodman, who had told him that he
could do no mOref or him that his days
were numbered.
Deceased was a single man, 65 years
of age, and a native of Maine. He had
been resident of Amador county for 20
years or more He was a cousin of Mrs
B. F. Taylor of Jackson, and John
Palmer OF Bunker Hill
The body was brought to Jackson on
Saturday, and the funeral took place on
Sunday afternoon, interment in tile city
cemetery.
Rear framed