Missing Australian Explorers.

Hastings Standard, Issue 378, 21 July 1897, Page 4

Missing Australian Explorers.

The bodies of Mr Charles Young and Mr George Joi.c-s. the missing member of the Calvert Kxpi dition, have fit last been found near Joanna Springs, the appointed, rendezvon They seem to have perished say:; the Australasian, in November, shortly after Mr L. A. Wells rushed through. A telegram from Mr L. A. Wells, dated Derby, June 10th, tells the story of the finding thus : Have just returned here with Sub-inspector Ord, Begah, Sandy and Camels, with the remains of Charles Wells and George Jones, which I will arrange to have conveyed to Adelaide. We left Derby on May 10th, arriving at Gregory's next day. Here we met the police with horses and Begah with camels. Leaving Gregory's on the 14th with Sub-Inspector Ord and Trooper Nicholson, two trackers, and four horses, Begah, Sandy and the camels, we travelled via Mount Arthur to the spot where dead white men and camels were reported, but we found the report groundless. Cutting a new pad from there, we travelled to Ngowaddapa and Kullga Ugunum to a point about 14 mile N.N.E. of Joanna Springs. On May 21th we started Begah, Sandy and one tracker with a camel along the pad to Joanna. Myself, Mr Ord, Nicholson and one tracker travelled on, bearing 152deg for a smoke seen on the previous day, and at 11 miles ran some natives down in their camp. Here we found a large piece of an iron bow of a camel riding saddle. The natives said it was taken from dead white men, and added that the sun liai killed them. The natives were bold, and refused to go with us, until the handcuffs were used. They tried many devices to avoid going to Joanna Springs, Mr Ord and Nicholson having to drive them. After that we spelled one day at Joanna, and tried to induce the natives to point out the direction of the dead men, but without success. The following day we travelled the pad, going westerly 12 miles, when we reached a high point and a good view. Here again we tried the natives, but they would eagerly point for any place except where the dead men were. It was found necessary to resort to stronger measures, and they took us south-east for live miles and south-west for two milns to the spot, which js six miles from the well where I found the stolen goods last April on a true bearing of 57dgs, and only 20 chains northwest of my track between the well and Joanna Springs. "I at once recognised Charles Young by his beard and features, the skin having dried on his face and body. He lay under a desert gum tree, where he had been erecting a fly for a shade. On the top of a sand-ridge about one chain westerly the remains of George Jones were found. The body had evidently been covered with sand by Young, who had then gone to the other tree to await death himself. The natives had carried off everything of any use to themselves. The woodwork of both kegs, portions of the camel pack-saddle, and one riding saddle, one leather pack-bag, a leather satchel, Mr Jones's compass, a prayerbook, a leather pouch, a tin box with medicines, a journal, and a note to his parents were close by him. We could find no plan or any letter left by Charles. All the firearms were carried off by the natives. Mr Jones's journal was kept up to the time of returning to Separation Well, nine days after we left it, but there was no entry after that time. From the journal and the note I gather that they travelled on a bearing from 290deg. to 330deg. for 4i days a distance of 81 miles, then north-east for IB miles, then without giving any bearing or distance travelling south-easterly to the outgoing track, which they followed to Separation Well. The journal of Mr Jones speaks of intense heat, and the absence of camel speed, and having searched for water without success, and both he and Young were feeling unwell. In his letter he says that after resting five days at Separation Well they started following the tracks, and afterwards one camel died. They had then to walk, and became exhausted. He also speaks of the terrible heat. After arriving at the spot where we found the bodies, they lost their camels, and were both too weak to follow them. Jones tried two days before writing his letter to go after the camels, but after going half a mile he was too unwell, and had to return. At the time of writing there were but two quarts of water left, and he said they did not expect to last much longer. There was no date on the letter, but from his statement they must have left Separation Well on Oct. 23. They probably travelled by night, and lost my track. Allowing 15 days, they would have reached the spot where we found them about November 8. "From what w ? e saw at the spot where the equipment was it would appear that my cousin's riding camel had died, and "they had left his saddle, bringing everything else oil. The remains are sown up in canvas, and will be placed in collins here ready for removal to Adelaide by next boat. I will bring all the articles recovered. I think there is no doubt that the camel found at Oakover is Mr Jones' riding camel. The native with the wound in his arm seen by me last April has probably shot himself whilst handling the loaded firearms. Mr Ord has taken kodak photos throughout the trip, which I trust will be a success. On releasing the natives whom we had arrested, we gave them presents, and we parted apparently on friendly terms."