Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1911-08-05
WILL RECOVER.
Elsie Davis Of Bethel Is
Slowly Improving.
Remembers Lille Of Her TeIri-
bic Experience In Woods.
Popular Subscription 10 DefIay Elk.
penses OF the Search.

Bethel. Me, Aug 4.-Miss Elsie NJ
Davis, who was found perched 20 feet
hieh in pine tree in the Howe Hill
woods late yesterday after wander
ing aimlessly aboIt for four days and
nights, rested comfortably today AT her
home where she was placed in charge
of physician and nurse.
There was some fever but the tenn
perature was normal and the pulse
which was los last night fell TO "A this
morning
Her physicians stated that her mind
was clear today and she could remem-
Der plainly that she started out tor a
walk and became hoprlessly lost IN the
woods She lest ell sense of bearings
ard the more she attempted IT, fnd
her way out the deeper she penetrated
the woodland, so that finally she had
gone nearly six miles from home. She
slept some at night OF pine bougi.s
but had nothing to eat except berries
She did not see a single person dur
ing her wanderings and as far as
known the searchers were net near
her at any time until yesterday The
physician stated that she will he well
mentally and out of doors in a short
time.
She was able to remember starting
for a short walk Sunday noon, but
could recall nothing that occurred up
to last night beyond the fact that she
thought she obtained some sleep 1a
Wednesday night Later il is expected
her memory may clear SO that she may
recall some Of her experiences. As far
| as known she had nothing To eat ex-
| cept blueberries and raspberries. which
| are fairly plentiful.
The fact that she was hiding in the
tree was accounted for by some to-
day, who thought she heard the pay
ing of the bloodhound which filled the
woods, after she had hung her coat
shirt waist. hose and skirt on a stump
to dry and climbed the tree in a state
of terror.
A popular subscription among the
citizens vas started to defray the ex-
penses Of the search. which have been
heavy. Work in the mills here and at
Lockes Mills, which had been sus-
pended since Monday morning that the
employees might aid in the search. was
Presumed this morning.
Miss Davis was allowed TO talk with
her father and brother today She
was not questioned but was allowed
to tell different things as they occur
lred &c her. She said she climbed the
tree because the men and dog We're
Imaking such a noise that il frightened
her and she wished TO get out Of their
way. She did not realize that they
were hunting for her.
A thick automobile coat that she
wore was very badly torn and showed
that she had walked many miles
through the woods and fields. Her con
dition indicated that she must have
had a considerable amount of sleep
each day, however. She was asked
what she did with her fathers reyol-
yer which was missing and declared
sha had not touched it
In order to reach Howe's Hill from
her home she crossed more than one
road and must have been in sight CT
several houses, and naturally If not
suffering mentally on Sunday or the
later days she would have followed a
road or gone to a house, il is believed
She told Mr.. Davis that she went in a
) northerly direction ard continued Il
) walk while engaged in deep thought
Suddenly she realized she had strayed
from familiar territory and soon lost
all sense of direction.