Clark County NV Archives Obituaries.....RICHARDS, J. Heber June 1917 ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/nv/nvfiles.htm ************************************************ File contributed for use in USGenWeb Archives by: Gerry Perry missgerry@cox.net May 23, 2004, 10:46 pm Las Vegas Age - 6/23/1917 DESERT SANDS CLAIM VICTIM SALT LAKE MINING MAN PERISHES FROM HEAT AND LACK OF WATER After making a trip across the Colorado river, east of Vegas, and inspecting some mining properties, Mr. D. F. WATSON and a party of three mining men, Mr. J. Heber RICHARDS, of the firm of Taylor & Richards, Salt Lake, B. H. VINCENT of Sandy City, Utah, and H. H. WHEELER of Needles, Cal., made an attempt to reach the river during the hottest part of the day, which resulted in the death of Mr. RICHARDS. The party of four left Vegas late last Saturday evening in an automobile for the Colorado to make an inspection of some property belonging to Mr. WATSON, which lies about seven miles back in the mountains on the Arizona side. The party arrived at the river about 10 o'clock the same evening, without trouble, and camped there the rest of the night. The automobile was sent back to Vegas with instructions to return for the party Monday evening. A boat was constructed from some lumber that had been taken out several weeks ago by Mr. WATSON, and late Sunday evening the party crossed the river and made camp about one half mile beyond. It was at this point that Mr. WATSON expected to catch his horses when they came down the canyon for water, which would enable the party to make the trip in ease. The horses failed to show up, and against the wishes of Mr. WATSON, who has spent the last ten years in that section, the trip was made to the property on foot. The return trip was started late in the forenoon, and with the sun beating down in the box canyon, the party made their way toward the river. About three miles from the river, Mr. WATSON, who is bent with years of strife and worry on the desert, said that it was impossible for him to keep up the pace of the rest of the party. Mr. RICHARDS at once suggested that he stay back with Mr. WATSON and make the balance of the trip with the old man, who it was feared would never get out alive, while the two other men were to go on to the river and get things in readiness to recross. It was understood that should Mr. WATSON and Mr. RICHARDS not arrive at the river by two o'clock, VINCENT and WHEELER were to take water and go back after them. Thus the party divided. WATSON and RICHARDS made slow progress owing to the intense heat, drinking very little of their water because each felt that before many minutes every drop would be needed. It was almost two o'clock when the two neared the place where they had made their camp the previous night, only a half mile from the river. Mr. WATSON, who was a few yards behind Mr. RICHARDS, noticed his comrade acting queer, pointing to the ground and mumbling, and then slowly sink down on his hands and knees. The heat of the desert had done its work. WATSON, who by this time was almost exhausted, gave him a drink of water which seemed for a minute to revive him. RICHARDS looked into the old man's face and said, "I hate to go down this way, Daddy. (they called WATSON, Daddy). I came along to help you and here you are helping me." Those were his last words. WATSON then took a short cut to the river, thereby missing VINCENT and WHEELER who had started back after them, when they did not show up at two o'clock. The searchers found the dead body of RICHARDS instead of the old man, whom they were sure would be the one to succumb. Not finding WATSON, they started in search of him and later found him near the river on the point of exhaustion, almost unable to speak. They at once crossed the river where they found the auto awaiting them, and rushed to Vegas for help. Dr. MARTIN and Frank WAITE left at once for the river to get the body, followed by W. I. ROBERTS in another auto. The party arrived back in Vegas about 10:30 Tuesday. The body was shipped to Salt Lake Wednesday morning in charge of a brother-in-law from Los Angeles. Mr. RICHARDS leaves surviving him a wife and two children, a daughter 15 and a son 18, and a sister, Mrs. FARNSWORTH. This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/nvfiles/ File size: 4.5 Kb