LAURA MORGAN FOUND
Discovered High and Dry On A Bank In The River
Had Apparently Lain Out of Water for Two Weeks or More - Missing Fifty-Five Days.
The Laura Morgan mystery was cleared up Monday afternoon by the discovery of her body on a gravel bar in the Palouse River, about four miles below Colfax and two and one-half or three miles below the fairground bridge, as the stream runs.
It is now practically certain that the young girl, in her fit of pique over a slight trouble at school, leaped headlong from the bridge into the middle of the then foaming current. The body was found by a searching party, headed by A.Stoneberger, grandfather of the drowned girl. He was accompanied by Dr. Harvey, H.H. Wheeler, Robert Batcher, Wn. Mitchell, Chink Grim, E.M. Grim, Jas. Steward, L.Lommasson, John McCorkle and Frank Shroll, while L A. Downs, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Wallace Williams and Mrs. Stoneberger drove down in a hack.
Two boats were employed, one Following along each side of the river, while parties of two proceeded on foot down either shore, making the search a thorough and systematic one. At the noon hour, the party had reached the Booth ford, about four miles west of town, as the course of the river runs. Here lunch was taken within 150 yards of where the body was discovered, it is found a few minutes after a renewal of the search after lunch and with the entire party within hailing distance.
Discovery of the Body
At the point where the remains of the girl were found the river divides into three branches. On the south side, at
the present stage of water, the branch is but a rivulet, with the main channel running to the north, forming a gravelly island. The body laid near the upper point of this inland, on the bare gravel bank, flat on its back and face upturned to the western sun and the hands drawn convulsively almost shut. The water had fallen away from it at least 18 inches or two feet and it was entirely out of the water, bearing the appearance of having been so two weeks or more. The lifeless form was fully clad except as to skirts, which had been partially torn away in the rough waters of the river. The shoes and hose were in perfect condition and her jacket was securely fastened with three buttons.
E. M. Grim and Jas. Steward were on the opposite hank when one of the boats landed Mr. Stoneberger on the point of the island. They were ascending the bluff to round an impassable cliff about 100 yards from the island when Mr.
Grim asked Steward, "What is that?" at the same time pointing to the body lying in full view on the bare gravel. Scarcely had he spoken when Mr. Stoneberger came running wildly back, waving his arms and shouting that he had found her.
The boats were put in to the small island and the form which for 55 days had been buffeted unseen by wave and
weather was tenderly taken up and lashed tightly in a wetted canvas thoughtfully provided for the purpose. It was transferred to the opposite shore by boat and there placed in a hack, arriving at the morgue about 3 o'clock.
Said To Have Been Seen Days Ago
It is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Booth, near whose home the remains were found, have said that several days ago they saw the bunch of clothing from a distance on the opposite side of the river, but a lot of old rags and clothing of various descriptions float down the stream, they thought nothing of it and neither investigated nor reported it.
There is also another story that two small boys were fishing near the spot two weeks before the discovery. They became separated and the smaller of the two saw the object on the island from the bank. He returned to his companion and told him he had found Laura Morgan but was laughed at for his pains and nothing was ever said of it. The discovery party report that many tracks of fishermen and others are in the immediate vicinity of the spot, undoubtedly made since the body was cast up, and say it is singular that it was not before discovered, investigated and reported.
Agony of the Mother
When the discovery was made Mrs. Morgan, mother of the lost girl, was with the other ladies of the party on the north bank, where they could hear the shouts of the men. She anxiously inquired if Laura had been found, and upon being assured by Mr. Steward that she had, broke away, crying, "I am going over; let me go!'"' The main channel of the river, quite deep at this point, was between her and the body and it was necessary for restraining hands to prevent her plunging in to cross to the child whom she had sought night and day for almost two months, following forlorn hopes and clues as far as El Paso, Texas, and plastering the entire west with telegrams and letters. While she had borne the terrible mystery of her daughter's fate bravely and well, summoning all her strength and courage to efforts toward solving it, the anguished mother broke completely down at the supreme moment, when all hope of ever finding her alive was gone, and would have rushed to probable death in the same angry flood to reach the side of the poor remains.
The mother was not at any time permitted to view the broken and battered body, though she pitifully begged to do so. Only the six members of the coroner's jury and physicians were permitted to view all that was left of the once bright girl, for the purpose of establishing the identity beyond doubt.
Verdict of Coroner's Jury.
In the absence of Coroner Mitchell Justice A. E. Kirkland presided over an inquest held at the undertaking parlors
room after the body was brought in. Dr. G. A. Chapman, E. R. Horswill, I.B. Doolittle, Jos. Mogan, J. S. Adams and
C. F. Stuart were empanel led as a jury and Drs. Boswell and Harvey were present as physicians. After viewing the remains and hearing the story of the finding of the body portions of the clothing worn by the dead girl was given to her mother and sister, who identified them as those worn by her at the time of disappearance. Upon these showings, the jury found the body to be that of Laura Morgan, that she came to her death by drowning and without foul play.
BURIED BENEATH FLOWERS
The funeral was held Tuesday morning from the undertaking parlors, services being conducted at the grave only by Rev. H.P. James, assisted by Rev. Daughters.
School was dismissed and hundreds of the schoolmates marched in the sad procession, burying the mound beneath
which Laura lay in flowers which had bloomed during the eight weeks in which her sad fate had been unknown.
Girl's Mysterious Disappearance
On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12, 55 days before the finding of her body, 16-year-old Laura Morgan left the school room after being suspended by her teacher for one day only for some slight infraction of the rules. About 4 or 4:30, then almost dark, she was seen by Claude Hollingsworth and Cromwell Oliver walking rapidly up the
railroad grade leading to the fairgrounds. They chatted with her a few moments, when she went on, carrying two school books beneath her arm. A little girl coming down the railway later reported having seen her leave the railroad and go down the fairground path leading to the river. This was the last ever seen of her alive.
At 8 o'clock her folks at home became alarmed at her absence and searched at the homes of friends where she would be likely to remain until a late hour, without success, further than to hear of her having been seen on the railroad. The vicinity of the fairgrounds was searched with lanterns about midnight, without further result than to find a woman's footprints in the trail leading down and then back again.
The following morning Euler Grim was crossing the fairground bridge at an early hour and found her cap near the lower edge of the bridge and about the center of the stream. Later a bloodhound was taken to the scene. He first
took up the trail beneath the bridge, followed it upstream, touching the water's edge two or three times, and
found the girl's two books and a lead pencil in a clump of pines fifty yards above the bridge. Later the dog pointed onto the bridge, following a trail to where the cap had previously been found—though this was unknown at that time. There the dog sat down and could not be persuaded to point
further. A note torn to bits, and identified after piecing together as having been written by the lost girl, was found far back on the hill above the railroad, but it was an old one and referred in no way to her mysterious disappearance or intentions.
This was all that could be learned about her movements and was the last known of her until the discovery of her body on the gravel bar. The river had been repeatedly searched, but it was at a turbulent stage, and not a trace of the girl could be found. Her relatives refused to entertain the theory that Laura had thrown herself in the river, though this possible source of information was not neglected. They believed that she had run away, possibly in boy's clothes. The wires were freely used and descriptions sent in all directions in this manner, as well as by mail and through the newspapers. False hopes were raised by reports of her apprehension, first at Palouse, then at Yuma, Arizona, El Paso, Texas, and North Yakima, where girls supposed to be her were held. It was not until the river reached a stage low enough to cast the body upon land that the long quest was successful.
Tribute of a Friend
Died, on March 12, 1901, Laura, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, aged 16 years.
Laura Morgan was a girl whom to know was to feel an interest, in. Her character was so strong and her
personality so marked that, young as she was, her influence was felt by all who came in contact with her. Her ideals were high, she was clean minded and honorable to the last degree. She was exceedingly high spirited, willful, and perhaps more sensitive than was realized by those who were most intimately associated with her. Her spirit of mischief was inborn, and her strong personality made this trait in her character more difficult to overlook. While she annoyed teachers and all who endeavored to give her the advice and restraint which she needed, she was never disliked by them —in her whole makeup, there was not one despicable trait. At this time, when the thought of her bad end fills the minds of the whole community, it should be a comfort to all, and especially to those who loved her so dearly and whose hearts seem ready to break over the sadness which comes as a climax after eight long weeks of suspense, to feel that
there was not one thing in Laura's life which can unfit her for entrance into that other life, where all human
difficulties are as naught, and where "In the dawning of the morning we shall know and be known," not as we seem to be to the eyes of poor humanity, who see "as through a glass, darkly," but as we really are. And feel assured dear mother, sister, teachers and friends, who loved and did your best for Laura, that your actions are understood and your motives appreciated by that ever kind and loving One, who sees all, and seeing, understands.
Thankful to Those Who Aided
In the name of Laura Morgan's mother and people, to their friends, the people of Colfax and elsewhere, Adam Stoneberger, grandfather of the dead girl, makes the following statement:
"We would thank you one and all—those who by their kind, respectful sympathy have upheld her mother through all her trial; those who have freely given their time and means to help find her: the good, strong men who again and again gave labor and time to the terrible search of the river, and those who, when it was ended, showed such tactful sympathy and such delicate respect for our poor girl; the press and the public officers of the whole coast, who have given their aid; her schoolmates who so fittingly paid their tribute at the last, and many more—we cannot name them all—good friends and true whose kindness has been a comfort and a solace."
The Colfax gazette. (Colfax, Wash.), 10 May 1901, page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
=============================================
Discovered High and Dry On A Bank In The River
Had Apparently Lain Out of Water for Two Weeks or More - Missing Fifty-Five Days.
The Laura Morgan mystery was cleared up Monday afternoon by the discovery of her body on a gravel bar in the Palouse River, about four miles below Colfax and two and one-half or three miles below the fairground bridge, as the stream runs.
It is now practically certain that the young girl, in her fit of pique over a slight trouble at school, leaped headlong from the bridge into the middle of the then foaming current. The body was found by a searching party, headed by A.Stoneberger, grandfather of the drowned girl. He was accompanied by Dr. Harvey, H.H. Wheeler, Robert Batcher, Wn. Mitchell, Chink Grim, E.M. Grim, Jas. Steward, L.Lommasson, John McCorkle and Frank Shroll, while L A. Downs, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Wallace Williams and Mrs. Stoneberger drove down in a hack.
Two boats were employed, one Following along each side of the river, while parties of two proceeded on foot down either shore, making the search a thorough and systematic one. At the noon hour, the party had reached the Booth ford, about four miles west of town, as the course of the river runs. Here lunch was taken within 150 yards of where the body was discovered, it is found a few minutes after a renewal of the search after lunch and with the entire party within hailing distance.
Discovery of the Body
At the point where the remains of the girl were found the river divides into three branches. On the south side, at
the present stage of water, the branch is but a rivulet, with the main channel running to the north, forming a gravelly island. The body laid near the upper point of this inland, on the bare gravel bank, flat on its back and face upturned to the western sun and the hands drawn convulsively almost shut. The water had fallen away from it at least 18 inches or two feet and it was entirely out of the water, bearing the appearance of having been so two weeks or more. The lifeless form was fully clad except as to skirts, which had been partially torn away in the rough waters of the river. The shoes and hose were in perfect condition and her jacket was securely fastened with three buttons.
E. M. Grim and Jas. Steward were on the opposite hank when one of the boats landed Mr. Stoneberger on the point of the island. They were ascending the bluff to round an impassable cliff about 100 yards from the island when Mr.
Grim asked Steward, "What is that?" at the same time pointing to the body lying in full view on the bare gravel. Scarcely had he spoken when Mr. Stoneberger came running wildly back, waving his arms and shouting that he had found her.
The boats were put in to the small island and the form which for 55 days had been buffeted unseen by wave and
weather was tenderly taken up and lashed tightly in a wetted canvas thoughtfully provided for the purpose. It was transferred to the opposite shore by boat and there placed in a hack, arriving at the morgue about 3 o'clock.
Said To Have Been Seen Days Ago
It is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Booth, near whose home the remains were found, have said that several days ago they saw the bunch of clothing from a distance on the opposite side of the river, but a lot of old rags and clothing of various descriptions float down the stream, they thought nothing of it and neither investigated nor reported it.
There is also another story that two small boys were fishing near the spot two weeks before the discovery. They became separated and the smaller of the two saw the object on the island from the bank. He returned to his companion and told him he had found Laura Morgan but was laughed at for his pains and nothing was ever said of it. The discovery party report that many tracks of fishermen and others are in the immediate vicinity of the spot, undoubtedly made since the body was cast up, and say it is singular that it was not before discovered, investigated and reported.
Agony of the Mother
When the discovery was made Mrs. Morgan, mother of the lost girl, was with the other ladies of the party on the north bank, where they could hear the shouts of the men. She anxiously inquired if Laura had been found, and upon being assured by Mr. Steward that she had, broke away, crying, "I am going over; let me go!'"' The main channel of the river, quite deep at this point, was between her and the body and it was necessary for restraining hands to prevent her plunging in to cross to the child whom she had sought night and day for almost two months, following forlorn hopes and clues as far as El Paso, Texas, and plastering the entire west with telegrams and letters. While she had borne the terrible mystery of her daughter's fate bravely and well, summoning all her strength and courage to efforts toward solving it, the anguished mother broke completely down at the supreme moment, when all hope of ever finding her alive was gone, and would have rushed to probable death in the same angry flood to reach the side of the poor remains.
The mother was not at any time permitted to view the broken and battered body, though she pitifully begged to do so. Only the six members of the coroner's jury and physicians were permitted to view all that was left of the once bright girl, for the purpose of establishing the identity beyond doubt.
Verdict of Coroner's Jury.
In the absence of Coroner Mitchell Justice A. E. Kirkland presided over an inquest held at the undertaking parlors
room after the body was brought in. Dr. G. A. Chapman, E. R. Horswill, I.B. Doolittle, Jos. Mogan, J. S. Adams and
C. F. Stuart were empanel led as a jury and Drs. Boswell and Harvey were present as physicians. After viewing the remains and hearing the story of the finding of the body portions of the clothing worn by the dead girl was given to her mother and sister, who identified them as those worn by her at the time of disappearance. Upon these showings, the jury found the body to be that of Laura Morgan, that she came to her death by drowning and without foul play.
BURIED BENEATH FLOWERS
The funeral was held Tuesday morning from the undertaking parlors, services being conducted at the grave only by Rev. H.P. James, assisted by Rev. Daughters.
School was dismissed and hundreds of the schoolmates marched in the sad procession, burying the mound beneath
which Laura lay in flowers which had bloomed during the eight weeks in which her sad fate had been unknown.
Girl's Mysterious Disappearance
On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12, 55 days before the finding of her body, 16-year-old Laura Morgan left the school room after being suspended by her teacher for one day only for some slight infraction of the rules. About 4 or 4:30, then almost dark, she was seen by Claude Hollingsworth and Cromwell Oliver walking rapidly up the
railroad grade leading to the fairgrounds. They chatted with her a few moments, when she went on, carrying two school books beneath her arm. A little girl coming down the railway later reported having seen her leave the railroad and go down the fairground path leading to the river. This was the last ever seen of her alive.
At 8 o'clock her folks at home became alarmed at her absence and searched at the homes of friends where she would be likely to remain until a late hour, without success, further than to hear of her having been seen on the railroad. The vicinity of the fairgrounds was searched with lanterns about midnight, without further result than to find a woman's footprints in the trail leading down and then back again.
The following morning Euler Grim was crossing the fairground bridge at an early hour and found her cap near the lower edge of the bridge and about the center of the stream. Later a bloodhound was taken to the scene. He first
took up the trail beneath the bridge, followed it upstream, touching the water's edge two or three times, and
found the girl's two books and a lead pencil in a clump of pines fifty yards above the bridge. Later the dog pointed onto the bridge, following a trail to where the cap had previously been found—though this was unknown at that time. There the dog sat down and could not be persuaded to point
further. A note torn to bits, and identified after piecing together as having been written by the lost girl, was found far back on the hill above the railroad, but it was an old one and referred in no way to her mysterious disappearance or intentions.
This was all that could be learned about her movements and was the last known of her until the discovery of her body on the gravel bar. The river had been repeatedly searched, but it was at a turbulent stage, and not a trace of the girl could be found. Her relatives refused to entertain the theory that Laura had thrown herself in the river, though this possible source of information was not neglected. They believed that she had run away, possibly in boy's clothes. The wires were freely used and descriptions sent in all directions in this manner, as well as by mail and through the newspapers. False hopes were raised by reports of her apprehension, first at Palouse, then at Yuma, Arizona, El Paso, Texas, and North Yakima, where girls supposed to be her were held. It was not until the river reached a stage low enough to cast the body upon land that the long quest was successful.
Tribute of a Friend
Died, on March 12, 1901, Laura, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, aged 16 years.
Laura Morgan was a girl whom to know was to feel an interest, in. Her character was so strong and her
personality so marked that, young as she was, her influence was felt by all who came in contact with her. Her ideals were high, she was clean minded and honorable to the last degree. She was exceedingly high spirited, willful, and perhaps more sensitive than was realized by those who were most intimately associated with her. Her spirit of mischief was inborn, and her strong personality made this trait in her character more difficult to overlook. While she annoyed teachers and all who endeavored to give her the advice and restraint which she needed, she was never disliked by them —in her whole makeup, there was not one despicable trait. At this time, when the thought of her bad end fills the minds of the whole community, it should be a comfort to all, and especially to those who loved her so dearly and whose hearts seem ready to break over the sadness which comes as a climax after eight long weeks of suspense, to feel that
there was not one thing in Laura's life which can unfit her for entrance into that other life, where all human
difficulties are as naught, and where "In the dawning of the morning we shall know and be known," not as we seem to be to the eyes of poor humanity, who see "as through a glass, darkly," but as we really are. And feel assured dear mother, sister, teachers and friends, who loved and did your best for Laura, that your actions are understood and your motives appreciated by that ever kind and loving One, who sees all, and seeing, understands.
Thankful to Those Who Aided
In the name of Laura Morgan's mother and people, to their friends, the people of Colfax and elsewhere, Adam Stoneberger, grandfather of the dead girl, makes the following statement:
"We would thank you one and all—those who by their kind, respectful sympathy have upheld her mother through all her trial; those who have freely given their time and means to help find her: the good, strong men who again and again gave labor and time to the terrible search of the river, and those who, when it was ended, showed such tactful sympathy and such delicate respect for our poor girl; the press and the public officers of the whole coast, who have given their aid; her schoolmates who so fittingly paid their tribute at the last, and many more—we cannot name them all—good friends and true whose kindness has been a comfort and a solace."
The Colfax gazette. (Colfax, Wash.), 10 May 1901, page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
=============================================
LAURA MORGAN FOUND
Discovered High and Dry On A Bank In The River
Had Apparently Lain Out of Water for Two Weeks or More - Missing Fifty-Five Days.
The Laura Morgan mystery was cleared up Monday afternoon by the discovery of her body on a gravel bar in the Palouse River, about four miles below Colfax and two and one-half or three miles below the fairground bridge, as the stream runs.
It is now practically certain that the young girl, in her fit of pique over a slight trouble at school, leaped headlong from the bridge into the middle of the then foaming current. The body was found by a searching party, headed by A.Stoneberger, grandfather of the drowned girl. He was accompanied by Dr. Harvey, H.H. Wheeler, Robert Batcher, Wn. Mitchell, Chink Grim, E.M. Grim, Jas. Steward, L.Lommasson, John McCorkle and Frank Shroll, while L A. Downs, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Wallace Williams and Mrs. Stoneberger drove down in a hack.
Two boats were employed, one Following along each side of the river, while parties of two proceeded on foot down either shore, making the search a thorough and systematic one. At the noon hour, the party had reached the Booth ford, about four miles west of town, as the course of the river runs. Here lunch was taken within 150 yards of where the body was discovered, it is found a few minutes after a renewal of the search after lunch and with the entire party within hailing distance.
Discovery of the Body
At the point where the remains of the girl were found the river divides into three branches. On the south side, at
the present stage of water, the branch is but a rivulet, with the main channel running to the north, forming a gravelly island. The body laid near the upper point of this inland, on the bare gravel bank, flat on its back and face upturned to the western sun and the hands drawn convulsively almost shut. The water had fallen away from it at least 18 inches or two feet and it was entirely out of the water, bearing the appearance of having been so two weeks or more. The lifeless form was fully clad except as to skirts, which had been partially torn away in the rough waters of the river. The shoes and hose were in perfect condition and her jacket was securely fastened with three buttons.
E. M. Grim and Jas. Steward were on the opposite hank when one of the boats landed Mr. Stoneberger on the point of the island. They were ascending the bluff to round an impassable cliff about 100 yards from the island when Mr.
Grim asked Steward, "What is that?" at the same time pointing to the body lying in full view on the bare gravel. Scarcely had he spoken when Mr. Stoneberger came running wildly back, waving his arms and shouting that he had found her.
The boats were put in to the small island and the form which for 55 days had been buffeted unseen by wave and
weather was tenderly taken up and lashed tightly in a wetted canvas thoughtfully provided for the purpose. It was transferred to the opposite shore by boat and there placed in a hack, arriving at the morgue about 3 o'clock.
Said To Have Been Seen Days Ago
It is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Booth, near whose home the remains were found, have said that several days ago they saw the bunch of clothing from a distance on the opposite side of the river, but a lot of old rags and clothing of various descriptions float down the stream, they thought nothing of it and neither investigated nor reported it.
There is also another story that two small boys were fishing near the spot two weeks before the discovery. They became separated and the smaller of the two saw the object on the island from the bank. He returned to his companion and told him he had found Laura Morgan but was laughed at for his pains and nothing was ever said of it. The discovery party report that many tracks of fishermen and others are in the immediate vicinity of the spot, undoubtedly made since the body was cast up, and say it is singular that it was not before discovered, investigated and reported.
Agony of the Mother
When the discovery was made Mrs. Morgan, mother of the lost girl, was with the other ladies of the party on the north bank, where they could hear the shouts of the men. She anxiously inquired if Laura had been found, and upon being assured by Mr. Steward that she had, broke away, crying, "I am going over; let me go!'"' The main channel of the river, quite deep at this point, was between her and the body and it was necessary for restraining hands to prevent her plunging in to cross to the child whom she had sought night and day for almost two months, following forlorn hopes and clues as far as El Paso, Texas, and plastering the entire west with telegrams and letters. While she had borne the terrible mystery of her daughter's fate bravely and well, summoning all her strength and courage to efforts toward solving it, the anguished mother broke completely down at the supreme moment, when all hope of ever finding her alive was gone, and would have rushed to probable death in the same angry flood to reach the side of the poor remains.
The mother was not at any time permitted to view the broken and battered body, though she pitifully begged to do so. Only the six members of the coroner's jury and physicians were permitted to view all that was left of the once bright girl, for the purpose of establishing the identity beyond doubt.
Verdict of Coroner's Jury.
In the absence of Coroner Mitchell Justice A. E. Kirkland presided over an inquest held at the undertaking parlors
room after the body was brought in. Dr. G. A. Chapman, E. R. Horswill, I.B. Doolittle, Jos. Mogan, J. S. Adams and
C. F. Stuart were empanel led as a jury and Drs. Boswell and Harvey were present as physicians. After viewing the remains and hearing the story of the finding of the body portions of the clothing worn by the dead girl was given to her mother and sister, who identified them as those worn by her at the time of disappearance. Upon these showings, the jury found the body to be that of Laura Morgan, that she came to her death by drowning and without foul play.
BURIED BENEATH FLOWERS
The funeral was held Tuesday morning from the undertaking parlors, services being conducted at the grave only by Rev. H.P. James, assisted by Rev. Daughters.
School was dismissed and hundreds of the schoolmates marched in the sad procession, burying the mound beneath
which Laura lay in flowers which had bloomed during the eight weeks in which her sad fate had been unknown.
Girl's Mysterious Disappearance
On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12, 55 days before the finding of her body, 16-year-old Laura Morgan left the school room after being suspended by her teacher for one day only for some slight infraction of the rules. About 4 or 4:30, then almost dark, she was seen by Claude Hollingsworth and Cromwell Oliver walking rapidly up the
railroad grade leading to the fairgrounds. They chatted with her a few moments, when she went on, carrying two school books beneath her arm. A little girl coming down the railway later reported having seen her leave the railroad and go down the fairground path leading to the river. This was the last ever seen of her alive.
At 8 o'clock her folks at home became alarmed at her absence and searched at the homes of friends where she would be likely to remain until a late hour, without success, further than to hear of her having been seen on the railroad. The vicinity of the fairgrounds was searched with lanterns about midnight, without further result than to find a woman's footprints in the trail leading down and then back again.
The following morning Euler Grim was crossing the fairground bridge at an early hour and found her cap near the lower edge of the bridge and about the center of the stream. Later a bloodhound was taken to the scene. He first
took up the trail beneath the bridge, followed it upstream, touching the water's edge two or three times, and
found the girl's two books and a lead pencil in a clump of pines fifty yards above the bridge. Later the dog pointed onto the bridge, following a trail to where the cap had previously been found—though this was unknown at that time. There the dog sat down and could not be persuaded to point
further. A note torn to bits, and identified after piecing together as having been written by the lost girl, was found far back on the hill above the railroad, but it was an old one and referred in no way to her mysterious disappearance or intentions.
This was all that could be learned about her movements and was the last known of her until the discovery of her body on the gravel bar. The river had been repeatedly searched, but it was at a turbulent stage, and not a trace of the girl could be found. Her relatives refused to entertain the theory that Laura had thrown herself in the river, though this possible source of information was not neglected. They believed that she had run away, possibly in boy's clothes. The wires were freely used and descriptions sent in all directions in this manner, as well as by mail and through the newspapers. False hopes were raised by reports of her apprehension, first at Palouse, then at Yuma, Arizona, El Paso, Texas, and North Yakima, where girls supposed to be her were held. It was not until the river reached a stage low enough to cast the body upon land that the long quest was successful.
Tribute of a Friend
Died, on March 12, 1901, Laura, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, aged 16 years.
Laura Morgan was a girl whom to know was to feel an interest, in. Her character was so strong and her
personality so marked that, young as she was, her influence was felt by all who came in contact with her. Her ideals were high, she was clean minded and honorable to the last degree. She was exceedingly high spirited, willful, and perhaps more sensitive than was realized by those who were most intimately associated with her. Her spirit of mischief was inborn, and her strong personality made this trait in her character more difficult to overlook. While she annoyed teachers and all who endeavored to give her the advice and restraint which she needed, she was never disliked by them —in her whole makeup, there was not one despicable trait. At this time, when the thought of her bad end fills the minds of the whole community, it should be a comfort to all, and especially to those who loved her so dearly and whose hearts seem ready to break over the sadness which comes as a climax after eight long weeks of suspense, to feel that
there was not one thing in Laura's life which can unfit her for entrance into that other life, where all human
difficulties are as naught, and where "In the dawning of the morning we shall know and be known," not as we seem to be to the eyes of poor humanity, who see "as through a glass, darkly," but as we really are. And feel assured dear mother, sister, teachers and friends, who loved and did your best for Laura, that your actions are understood and your motives appreciated by that ever kind and loving One, who sees all, and seeing, understands.
Thankful to Those Who Aided
In the name of Laura Morgan's mother and people, to their friends, the people of Colfax and elsewhere, Adam Stoneberger, grandfather of the dead girl, makes the following statement:
"We would thank you one and all—those who by their kind, respectful sympathy have upheld her mother through all her trial; those who have freely given their time and means to help find her: the good, strong men who again and again gave labor and time to the terrible search of the river, and those who, when it was ended, showed such tactful sympathy and such delicate respect for our poor girl; the press and the public officers of the whole coast, who have given their aid; her schoolmates who so fittingly paid their tribute at the last, and many more—we cannot name them all—good friends and true whose kindness has been a comfort and a solace."
The Colfax gazette. (Colfax, Wash.), 10 May 1901, page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
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Discovered High and Dry On A Bank In The River
Had Apparently Lain Out of Water for Two Weeks or More - Missing Fifty-Five Days.
The Laura Morgan mystery was cleared up Monday afternoon by the discovery of her body on a gravel bar in the Palouse River, about four miles below Colfax and two and one-half or three miles below the fairground bridge, as the stream runs.
It is now practically certain that the young girl, in her fit of pique over a slight trouble at school, leaped headlong from the bridge into the middle of the then foaming current. The body was found by a searching party, headed by A.Stoneberger, grandfather of the drowned girl. He was accompanied by Dr. Harvey, H.H. Wheeler, Robert Batcher, Wn. Mitchell, Chink Grim, E.M. Grim, Jas. Steward, L.Lommasson, John McCorkle and Frank Shroll, while L A. Downs, Mrs. Morgan, Mrs. Wallace Williams and Mrs. Stoneberger drove down in a hack.
Two boats were employed, one Following along each side of the river, while parties of two proceeded on foot down either shore, making the search a thorough and systematic one. At the noon hour, the party had reached the Booth ford, about four miles west of town, as the course of the river runs. Here lunch was taken within 150 yards of where the body was discovered, it is found a few minutes after a renewal of the search after lunch and with the entire party within hailing distance.
Discovery of the Body
At the point where the remains of the girl were found the river divides into three branches. On the south side, at
the present stage of water, the branch is but a rivulet, with the main channel running to the north, forming a gravelly island. The body laid near the upper point of this inland, on the bare gravel bank, flat on its back and face upturned to the western sun and the hands drawn convulsively almost shut. The water had fallen away from it at least 18 inches or two feet and it was entirely out of the water, bearing the appearance of having been so two weeks or more. The lifeless form was fully clad except as to skirts, which had been partially torn away in the rough waters of the river. The shoes and hose were in perfect condition and her jacket was securely fastened with three buttons.
E. M. Grim and Jas. Steward were on the opposite hank when one of the boats landed Mr. Stoneberger on the point of the island. They were ascending the bluff to round an impassable cliff about 100 yards from the island when Mr.
Grim asked Steward, "What is that?" at the same time pointing to the body lying in full view on the bare gravel. Scarcely had he spoken when Mr. Stoneberger came running wildly back, waving his arms and shouting that he had found her.
The boats were put in to the small island and the form which for 55 days had been buffeted unseen by wave and
weather was tenderly taken up and lashed tightly in a wetted canvas thoughtfully provided for the purpose. It was transferred to the opposite shore by boat and there placed in a hack, arriving at the morgue about 3 o'clock.
Said To Have Been Seen Days Ago
It is reported that Mr. and Mrs. Booth, near whose home the remains were found, have said that several days ago they saw the bunch of clothing from a distance on the opposite side of the river, but a lot of old rags and clothing of various descriptions float down the stream, they thought nothing of it and neither investigated nor reported it.
There is also another story that two small boys were fishing near the spot two weeks before the discovery. They became separated and the smaller of the two saw the object on the island from the bank. He returned to his companion and told him he had found Laura Morgan but was laughed at for his pains and nothing was ever said of it. The discovery party report that many tracks of fishermen and others are in the immediate vicinity of the spot, undoubtedly made since the body was cast up, and say it is singular that it was not before discovered, investigated and reported.
Agony of the Mother
When the discovery was made Mrs. Morgan, mother of the lost girl, was with the other ladies of the party on the north bank, where they could hear the shouts of the men. She anxiously inquired if Laura had been found, and upon being assured by Mr. Steward that she had, broke away, crying, "I am going over; let me go!'"' The main channel of the river, quite deep at this point, was between her and the body and it was necessary for restraining hands to prevent her plunging in to cross to the child whom she had sought night and day for almost two months, following forlorn hopes and clues as far as El Paso, Texas, and plastering the entire west with telegrams and letters. While she had borne the terrible mystery of her daughter's fate bravely and well, summoning all her strength and courage to efforts toward solving it, the anguished mother broke completely down at the supreme moment, when all hope of ever finding her alive was gone, and would have rushed to probable death in the same angry flood to reach the side of the poor remains.
The mother was not at any time permitted to view the broken and battered body, though she pitifully begged to do so. Only the six members of the coroner's jury and physicians were permitted to view all that was left of the once bright girl, for the purpose of establishing the identity beyond doubt.
Verdict of Coroner's Jury.
In the absence of Coroner Mitchell Justice A. E. Kirkland presided over an inquest held at the undertaking parlors
room after the body was brought in. Dr. G. A. Chapman, E. R. Horswill, I.B. Doolittle, Jos. Mogan, J. S. Adams and
C. F. Stuart were empanel led as a jury and Drs. Boswell and Harvey were present as physicians. After viewing the remains and hearing the story of the finding of the body portions of the clothing worn by the dead girl was given to her mother and sister, who identified them as those worn by her at the time of disappearance. Upon these showings, the jury found the body to be that of Laura Morgan, that she came to her death by drowning and without foul play.
BURIED BENEATH FLOWERS
The funeral was held Tuesday morning from the undertaking parlors, services being conducted at the grave only by Rev. H.P. James, assisted by Rev. Daughters.
School was dismissed and hundreds of the schoolmates marched in the sad procession, burying the mound beneath
which Laura lay in flowers which had bloomed during the eight weeks in which her sad fate had been unknown.
Girl's Mysterious Disappearance
On the afternoon of Tuesday, March 12, 55 days before the finding of her body, 16-year-old Laura Morgan left the school room after being suspended by her teacher for one day only for some slight infraction of the rules. About 4 or 4:30, then almost dark, she was seen by Claude Hollingsworth and Cromwell Oliver walking rapidly up the
railroad grade leading to the fairgrounds. They chatted with her a few moments, when she went on, carrying two school books beneath her arm. A little girl coming down the railway later reported having seen her leave the railroad and go down the fairground path leading to the river. This was the last ever seen of her alive.
At 8 o'clock her folks at home became alarmed at her absence and searched at the homes of friends where she would be likely to remain until a late hour, without success, further than to hear of her having been seen on the railroad. The vicinity of the fairgrounds was searched with lanterns about midnight, without further result than to find a woman's footprints in the trail leading down and then back again.
The following morning Euler Grim was crossing the fairground bridge at an early hour and found her cap near the lower edge of the bridge and about the center of the stream. Later a bloodhound was taken to the scene. He first
took up the trail beneath the bridge, followed it upstream, touching the water's edge two or three times, and
found the girl's two books and a lead pencil in a clump of pines fifty yards above the bridge. Later the dog pointed onto the bridge, following a trail to where the cap had previously been found—though this was unknown at that time. There the dog sat down and could not be persuaded to point
further. A note torn to bits, and identified after piecing together as having been written by the lost girl, was found far back on the hill above the railroad, but it was an old one and referred in no way to her mysterious disappearance or intentions.
This was all that could be learned about her movements and was the last known of her until the discovery of her body on the gravel bar. The river had been repeatedly searched, but it was at a turbulent stage, and not a trace of the girl could be found. Her relatives refused to entertain the theory that Laura had thrown herself in the river, though this possible source of information was not neglected. They believed that she had run away, possibly in boy's clothes. The wires were freely used and descriptions sent in all directions in this manner, as well as by mail and through the newspapers. False hopes were raised by reports of her apprehension, first at Palouse, then at Yuma, Arizona, El Paso, Texas, and North Yakima, where girls supposed to be her were held. It was not until the river reached a stage low enough to cast the body upon land that the long quest was successful.
Tribute of a Friend
Died, on March 12, 1901, Laura, daughter of Mrs. Elizabeth Morgan, aged 16 years.
Laura Morgan was a girl whom to know was to feel an interest, in. Her character was so strong and her
personality so marked that, young as she was, her influence was felt by all who came in contact with her. Her ideals were high, she was clean minded and honorable to the last degree. She was exceedingly high spirited, willful, and perhaps more sensitive than was realized by those who were most intimately associated with her. Her spirit of mischief was inborn, and her strong personality made this trait in her character more difficult to overlook. While she annoyed teachers and all who endeavored to give her the advice and restraint which she needed, she was never disliked by them —in her whole makeup, there was not one despicable trait. At this time, when the thought of her bad end fills the minds of the whole community, it should be a comfort to all, and especially to those who loved her so dearly and whose hearts seem ready to break over the sadness which comes as a climax after eight long weeks of suspense, to feel that
there was not one thing in Laura's life which can unfit her for entrance into that other life, where all human
difficulties are as naught, and where "In the dawning of the morning we shall know and be known," not as we seem to be to the eyes of poor humanity, who see "as through a glass, darkly," but as we really are. And feel assured dear mother, sister, teachers and friends, who loved and did your best for Laura, that your actions are understood and your motives appreciated by that ever kind and loving One, who sees all, and seeing, understands.
Thankful to Those Who Aided
In the name of Laura Morgan's mother and people, to their friends, the people of Colfax and elsewhere, Adam Stoneberger, grandfather of the dead girl, makes the following statement:
"We would thank you one and all—those who by their kind, respectful sympathy have upheld her mother through all her trial; those who have freely given their time and means to help find her: the good, strong men who again and again gave labor and time to the terrible search of the river, and those who, when it was ended, showed such tactful sympathy and such delicate respect for our poor girl; the press and the public officers of the whole coast, who have given their aid; her schoolmates who so fittingly paid their tribute at the last, and many more—we cannot name them all—good friends and true whose kindness has been a comfort and a solace."
The Colfax gazette. (Colfax, Wash.), 10 May 1901, page 3. Chronicling America: Historic American Newspapers. Lib. of Congress.
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