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IDAHO COUNTY FREE
PRESS APRIL 7, 1899 Three Men Drowned Salmon river, to a greater extent than any other stream in the mountains, has the reputation among men familiar with the country, of being a wicked and dangerous stream, even in its most peaceful stage. At this time when the melting snow adds to its great volume of water it is treacherous throughout its entire course. McCaffrey, Mallory, Shorthill and O’Brien has all made locations at Mallick and started back on foot for Florence with samples. Seven miles below Mallick at Elk Creek, they came upon Jeff Turpin, who had made the trip with a boat full of grub and having cached his provisions, was about to start down stream and offered the men a lift. The whole outfit got along swimmingly until they reached a
point six miles above Madame Carey’s ranch at t he old wire bridge.
At this place there is a sharp bend in the river and the stream sets
strongly to the north bank, perpendicular cliffs, creating a dangerous backwater
and breakers. Despite frantic
efforts, the boat was swept toward the bank and under the breakers, capsized and
put the five men in the water. McCaffrey
succeeded in getting away from the breakers and managed to kick off his rubber
boots. The only man he could see was Mallory and they succeeded in
catching the boat, bailing her out and spent considerable time searching for
their comrads without success. Upon their arrival at Florence a search party was organized, without success. IDAHO COUNT FREE
PRESS JUNE 2, 1899 The body recently found on Salmon river was identified as
J.O’Brien. It was impossible to
remove the body, so it was reburied and the grave surrounded by a fence. IDAHO COUNTY FREE
PRESS JUNE 16, 1899 The bodies of Jeff Turpin and A.T. Shorhill have been found near Freedom and Slate creek, identified by papers found in their pockets. |
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