Jackson County sentinel. (Gainesboro, Tenn.) 1914-current, 1921-07-21

wv EsH~fHSSH @HbiHSetU oUoVt UUTts-
selves When Unable to Obtain Msdl.
cal HsIp-ons Of Party Wac Nearly
Killed by Jasusr-Mem6er Of Ex-
petition Almost Lost Their Lives In
Treachsrous Ford Of a Rivsr--Na.
tive Physician Takes offsnsA
A tragic story Of the suicide e tive
American youths, crazed by fever, In .
remote village Of the United States q
Colombia is contained In a Letter
to the New York Times from J.
r. Lockard Of BOgOta, oolombia.
Writing under date Of May 10, Mr..
Lockard said that the victims were two
OF party of four Americans prospect
Ing for an oil company. The embalmed
body Of one Of them, s. Davenport
Bridge, son Of s. d. Bridge Of Mon
terey, Mexico, well known a. q mining
man and assayer had arrived at Bo-
gotta few days before the letter was
written, In accordance with his dying
request that 1t be shipped to his
mother in Texas.
In Quest for OIL.
As related by Mr.. Lockard, ths feur
Americans arrived In Bogota several
months ago and started an expedition
into the interior that was destined to
be fraught with almost incredible hard
ships. The expedition started for the
pampas Of San Martin on the quest for
oil, the plan being to enter by way
Of Villavicencio and to leave by way
Of Medina.
The party left Bogota well equipped
with tents, many trunks, books, provi-
slons, arms and ammunition and q con-
siderable amount Of money In American
gold. One Of the party was nearly
killed BY jaguar and all four nearly
lost their lives at the trsacherous ford
Of river. Here only the surefooted-
ness and ability to swim Of the mules
they bestrode brought them to safety.
The poems who accompanied them
several times unsuccsssfully urged
them to return.
Finally Bridge and another whose
name was not learned became Ill with
fever. These were the two youngest Of
the party, and their companions with
great difficulty brought them into the
little village Of Gachala, where they OBJ
tanned accommodation at q small
hotel, kept by a woman. with six
children.
Lack Of adequate care caused the
condition Of the two sick men to be-
come worse, as the only remedy they
had at hand was quinine and whisky.
A telegram was sen, to Bogota 10
Questing that a physician and clergy
man be sent to them and, In the mean
time recourse was had to a native
physician. The latter's homemade
remedies distilled from roots and
herbs, did not prove Immediately effec-
tive, and the native physician took
offense at remarks to this effect and
refused to give further treatment.
Call for Help.
Other kilograms for help were sent
to Bogota, and finally reply was re-
ceivsd that a physician would arrive
from that city on a certain day. Dur
ing the night before this physician
was expected to arrive. all In the
hotel were awakened by q fusillade Of
shots, coming from rooms on the Sec
ond story.
The door Of Bridges rsom and that
Of his III companion were forced BY
their companions, and II was fsund
that they had killed themselves with
revolvers. Similar notes were found,
saying that each found II impossible
to endure the pain Of the fever longer.
Bridge. In addition, ASKED that his
body be embalmsd and sent to his
mother In Texas.
Bridge. who was n years old, had
$4,000 In gold In Q money belt around
his body. Claims for part Of the money
were made at once by some Of the vii
layers. The native physician was said
to have collected $3.50 for services. and
the woman proprietor Of the hotel $3.50.
while the poems, who took BRIDGES
body to Sopo. the nearest railroad
point, divided $1,000. The body of
the other American was buried.