Post by Okwes on May 22, 2008 12:11:12 GMT -5
Mysterious Remains Dated Nearly 150 Years Ago Found In Southern Utah
www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=db6ab725-3b\
30-489d-98bc-0aa8c83a5469
<http://www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=db6ab725-3\
b30-489d-98bc-0aa8c83a5469> [Grosvenor Arch inside the Grand
Staircase Escalante National Monument. (Photo: BLM)] Grosvenor Arch
inside the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. (Photo: BLM) A
mysterious discovery in the Escalante Canyons brought a dozen of agents
from the F.B.I. and Bureau of Land Management to the national monument.
Now agents try to solve the mystery that dates back nearly 150 years.
Just ten miles outside of the small town of Escalante, lies a mystery
just 300 yards from the road.
The F.B.I. and B.L.M. crime scene is located in one of Utah's most
breathtaking and pristine attractions; the Grand Staircase-Escalante
National Monument. Its vibrant colors and majestic peaks draw tourists
from all over the nation.
The investigation all started when one man came to admire the scenery,
but found something much more interesting.
"According to the man, he found bones. He was out on a nice hike
when he looked over there and saw what he thought was a metal pipe,"
said Case Agent, Gib Wilson.
Michael is the man who found a rifle and bones in the area. The bones
could be tied to some of the area's legends.
"It reminded me of a lot of the legends that are attributed to
various people that are in this area's superstitions," said
Michael.
One such legend involves the John Wesly Powell expedition. According to
history books, three men broke off from the expedition and decided to
explore on their own. They are believed to have traveled into this area.
The men were never heard from again.
"It's a mystery and you have a skeleton that dates back to the
1860's," said Agent Wilson.
One of the strongest clues is a water bucket that dates back to December
15, 1866.
The remains could also be that of Everett Ruess, a young early
1900's adventurer who was known to set out on his own and explore
the deserts of the Southwest. He too unexpectedly disappeared, officials
say.
"There are a lot of exciting possibilities," said Wilson.
Every part of the find is documented and special tools are used as more
of the Skeleton is exposed. A forensic anthropologist on the team soon
discovered the bones are from a Native American.
"It's still significant because you've got an individual who
has a number of items to determine what he was doing here and why he was
here," said B.L.M. agent, Dan Love.
The answers could bring more clues to the fate of the other early
explorers whose bones lay scattered somewhere in this rugged and
colorful terrain.
"It's fascinating, really fascinating," said Michael.
The B.L.M. took the bones to the University of Utah where a special
burial must take place because the remains are Native American. They do
not believe that the man found was buried there, but they do believe
that he died there.
Anthropologists believe the man was in his 60's and appeared to be
ill. It is still a mystery as to what the man was doing in the location.
www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=db6ab725-3b\
30-489d-98bc-0aa8c83a5469
<http://www.kutv.com/content/news/local/story.aspx?content_id=db6ab725-3\
b30-489d-98bc-0aa8c83a5469> [Grosvenor Arch inside the Grand
Staircase Escalante National Monument. (Photo: BLM)] Grosvenor Arch
inside the Grand Staircase Escalante National Monument. (Photo: BLM) A
mysterious discovery in the Escalante Canyons brought a dozen of agents
from the F.B.I. and Bureau of Land Management to the national monument.
Now agents try to solve the mystery that dates back nearly 150 years.
Just ten miles outside of the small town of Escalante, lies a mystery
just 300 yards from the road.
The F.B.I. and B.L.M. crime scene is located in one of Utah's most
breathtaking and pristine attractions; the Grand Staircase-Escalante
National Monument. Its vibrant colors and majestic peaks draw tourists
from all over the nation.
The investigation all started when one man came to admire the scenery,
but found something much more interesting.
"According to the man, he found bones. He was out on a nice hike
when he looked over there and saw what he thought was a metal pipe,"
said Case Agent, Gib Wilson.
Michael is the man who found a rifle and bones in the area. The bones
could be tied to some of the area's legends.
"It reminded me of a lot of the legends that are attributed to
various people that are in this area's superstitions," said
Michael.
One such legend involves the John Wesly Powell expedition. According to
history books, three men broke off from the expedition and decided to
explore on their own. They are believed to have traveled into this area.
The men were never heard from again.
"It's a mystery and you have a skeleton that dates back to the
1860's," said Agent Wilson.
One of the strongest clues is a water bucket that dates back to December
15, 1866.
The remains could also be that of Everett Ruess, a young early
1900's adventurer who was known to set out on his own and explore
the deserts of the Southwest. He too unexpectedly disappeared, officials
say.
"There are a lot of exciting possibilities," said Wilson.
Every part of the find is documented and special tools are used as more
of the Skeleton is exposed. A forensic anthropologist on the team soon
discovered the bones are from a Native American.
"It's still significant because you've got an individual who
has a number of items to determine what he was doing here and why he was
here," said B.L.M. agent, Dan Love.
The answers could bring more clues to the fate of the other early
explorers whose bones lay scattered somewhere in this rugged and
colorful terrain.
"It's fascinating, really fascinating," said Michael.
The B.L.M. took the bones to the University of Utah where a special
burial must take place because the remains are Native American. They do
not believe that the man found was buried there, but they do believe
that he died there.
Anthropologists believe the man was in his 60's and appeared to be
ill. It is still a mystery as to what the man was doing in the location.