The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1911-01-20
BODY RESCUED
FROM TORRENT
Found in Cave Under Waterfall,
Bathed In Rainbow
Spray.

KfPAHULU, Maui, January 16,-Tho
body of J. E. Kirkman, the young Nor.
mon elder who lost his life while ford
ing a mountain torrent at Alelele re-
Gently, has been recovered from the
whirlpool at the foot of the goo foot
preeipice over which he and his mule
were carried by the swollen stream.
The body was fonnd in water cave
just below the falls.
Brave men let themselves down the
heights into the gorge by ropes twice
during the search for the body, The
first time all they could find was the
battered body of the faithful mule,
which for a week or more has been
swirling round and round in the pool.
But fate was kinder to the body Of
the missionary of his faith, and the
tumbling waters, as though propitia5ed
with the sacrifice, gently carried the
remains to the sandy margin of the
cave, where, yelled by the falling wa.
ters and washed continually with a
rainbow spray, it was preserved as
though in sleep, some day to wake
again.
Body Is Recovered.
With tender care the body was drawn
to the brow of the cliff, and under the
direction Of Frank MeMasters, who was
his companion at the time of the acct
dent and escaped with his life, warned
by his friends fate, it was placed in
a rude coffin, temporarily, and the SOL
emn procession started for Kipahulu
and the cemetery.
1t was late in the day when the body
was recovered; but the sun shown in
all its splendor, sitting among the great
tree ferns and tropical jungle through
which lay the road, and powderinp the
bearers and their burden with golden
notes. And so, about dusk, the mourn
ers reached their destination.
Outside the village, back toward the
hills, lies the little cemetery where the
dead lie sleeping to the rhythm of the
eternal surf. In the background rise
the living mounains, clothed in their
green nantes, with coronet of snow,
and frontward shines the sea. Here
rests the body Of the man from the
deserts of Utah, whose life was given
to duty.
The Funeral Settling.
Over Kaupo shone the crescent moon.
symbol of hope, and the shadows from
the sunset bathed the valley in mourn
ing hue. The little company gather.
ed about their dead and, by the flick
ering light of lanterns, paper and glass,
made such resting place in old Moth
er Earth's bosom as weary travellers
sleep in.
And soon the casket was in place
and about the open grave assembled
the men who had toiled for this mo-
ment, reverent, awe stricken in the
glory of the tropic night; above, the
shining stars, the tilted moon, the won
ders of the heavens; below, the sha-
dows and the darkness, the moaning
of the sea and specks of light, that lit
with dusky paleness the mound of
earth and bent heads.
Hope in Farewell.
By the side of the grave stood Elder
McMasters, silent for aw lille, with tears
rnnoticed flowing from Drumming eyes.
And HE stretched out his hands and
spoke words of duplication to God, of
farewell to his brother in friendship,
of hope in life everlasting.
Word will be sent to the family of
young Kirkman in Utah and if they de.
eide to bring home to the land where
his people live the body now at rest,
it will be shipped to the Coast some
time in the spring. But wherever he
sleeps viii be the peace of the Al
mighty.
This morning the school children of
s.,oh vrI-
stranger with fresh flowers.