Raymond Milton Searle was the son of Zina Alexander and George Searle. He married Zina Batty.
A restless herd of cattle were making their way across Diamond Mountain in the gathering darkness of a thunderhead. Behind the herd rode two men, Ray Searle and Sid Morrison, lightning streaked earthward and with a tremendous roar, scattered the terrified cattle to the four winds.
About two hours later, Morrison shook the drowsiness from his head and climbed to his feet. Next to him lay his horse, unconscious, but alive. His partner was not as lucky - as he lay motionless beside his faithful mount.
Today, at the spot near Chicken Peak, about five miles from the Vernal District towards which they were heading, stands an unique memorial to the man, the horse, and the occasion.
Built of stone and imbedded with the bleached bones of the horse, the plaque on the monument reads, "In Memory of Our Husband and Father, Raymond M. Searle, who was killed here by lightning on October 11, 1923."
(from an article called "Men on the Mountain")
(page 64)
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/heritage
/histories/men-on-the-mountain.pdf
----------------------
LIGHTNING BOLT ILLS RAY SEARLE ON DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
RIDER AND HORSE KILLED INSTANTLY. COMPANION KNOCKED INSENSIBLE, ALSO HORSE AND 20 HEAD OF CATTLE
Vernal People were shocked on Thursday of last week when Sid Morrison brought the news that Ray Searle, prominent stockman and cattle buyer, had been instantly killed about 1 o'clock by a bolt of lightning on Diamond Mountain about 30 miles from Vernal.
Mr. Searle and Mr. Morrison were driving about 300 head of cattle of the community herd of Ashley Valley, which had been gathered during the week. They were not far from John Glines farm, when a heavy thunder and electrical storm swept with great speed across Taylor and Brush Creek Mountains to Diamond.
Mr. Morrison had alighted from his horse to put on his raincoat and Mr. Searle, he thinks, was possibly 40 feet away, when the crash came. Mr. Morrison was knocked insensible. When he regained consciousness his horse was on his knees struggling to rise. He also noticed about 20 head of cattle had been knocked down. Looking over to where Mr. Searle and his horse were, he saw the horse on its back with its feet in the air.
Going over to them he saw that Mr. Searle and horse had both been killed instantly. The tattered clothing had just commenced to burn. The first he put out and catching his horse, rode to the Glines ranch for help. Arriving at the ranch he rested for a time and proceeded to Vernal and to have the body brought home and to notify relatives of the death.
Bishop Hyrum B. Calder started in his truck to get the body but was met at Brush Creek by Mark Hall, who had gotten that far with the remains. The body was taken to the home of Bishop M. M. Batty in Glines Ward, the home of Mrs. Searle's parents. They arrived about 9:30 at night.
The clothing was simply torn to ribbons. His hat was torn into two pieces. His heavy riding boots were torn from his feet at the counter of one boot it looked as though a bullet hole had been made. The lightning had followed the nails in the heel. The spur jaws on both feet straightened out. The bolt had struck the left side of the head then followed down the spinal column. There were places on the body which had been burned by lightning.
Mr. Morrison does not know how long he laid on the ground. When the flash came it seems, he said, like a million needles hit him in the face. There was but one other crash thunder and that was while he was putting out the fire in the clothing of Searle. Indications are that Mr. Searle was also off his horse although Mr. Morrison does not know. The saddle on the horse was uninjured. As soon as he again mounted his horse it was Mr. Morrison;s intention of getting a lunch which was tied on Mr. Searle's saddle.
The overalls of the victim looked as though one had hung them up and slashed them into ribbons with a knife. One sock was torn off and the other just the lover half. About an 8 inch strip was torn from the front of his shirt and a 2 inch strip from the front of both legs of his overalls. Fire had started on a spot on the shirt and overalls.
Mr. Morrison cannot remember any of the noise of the crash of thunder but it must have been teriffic as at the Glines ranch over a mile away, it was deafening and a team nearly ran away. And Mark Hall, a mile and a half away, had a team he was driving run away.
The deceased, who was born in Washington County, his parents being George A. Searle and Zina Alexander Searle. In 1907, he married Zinna Batty, the daughter of Bishop and M. M. Batty of Glines Ward. Besides the widow, the daughter, the deceased is survived by 4 sons, Raymond 15, Carl 12, Jay 8 and Woodey 4; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Searle, Sr.; one sister, Mrs. Thelma Beihl; three brothers, Claude R. Searle, Member of the Salt Lake Real Estate Company, George Jr., and Merle, all of Salt Lake City. His father is state inspector of weights and measures.
Mr. Searle was a prominent stockman of the section and has a grazing homestead on Diamond Mountain. He was also buying cattle for Peck and Graham of Ogden. Just recently he returned from Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he had taken a shipment of cattle. He was highly respected and trusted by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held Saturday at the First Ward Meeting House with Bishop Calder presiding. The speakers were Ernest Eaton of the Uintah Stake presidency. Charles A. Hardy and Bishop Calder. Beautiful music was furnished by a special quartet composed of Mrs. George Walker, Mrs. C. J. Neal, Prof., William F. Hansen and A. B. Thomas, secretary Vernal Chamber of Commerce.
The chapel was crowded to capacity by sorrowing friends and relatives. There were an abundance of beautiful flowers, profuse for the time of year. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved wife and sons and other relatives.
Interment was made in the Vernal cemetery with Bishop Calder dedicating the grave.
-Vernal Express, October 19, 1923, transcribed by Rhonda Holton
A restless herd of cattle were making their way across Diamond Mountain in the gathering darkness of a thunderhead. Behind the herd rode two men, Ray Searle and Sid Morrison, lightning streaked earthward and with a tremendous roar, scattered the terrified cattle to the four winds.
About two hours later, Morrison shook the drowsiness from his head and climbed to his feet. Next to him lay his horse, unconscious, but alive. His partner was not as lucky - as he lay motionless beside his faithful mount.
Today, at the spot near Chicken Peak, about five miles from the Vernal District towards which they were heading, stands an unique memorial to the man, the horse, and the occasion.
Built of stone and imbedded with the bleached bones of the horse, the plaque on the monument reads, "In Memory of Our Husband and Father, Raymond M. Searle, who was killed here by lightning on October 11, 1923."
(from an article called "Men on the Mountain")
(page 64)
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/heritage
/histories/men-on-the-mountain.pdf
----------------------
LIGHTNING BOLT ILLS RAY SEARLE ON DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
RIDER AND HORSE KILLED INSTANTLY. COMPANION KNOCKED INSENSIBLE, ALSO HORSE AND 20 HEAD OF CATTLE
Vernal People were shocked on Thursday of last week when Sid Morrison brought the news that Ray Searle, prominent stockman and cattle buyer, had been instantly killed about 1 o'clock by a bolt of lightning on Diamond Mountain about 30 miles from Vernal.
Mr. Searle and Mr. Morrison were driving about 300 head of cattle of the community herd of Ashley Valley, which had been gathered during the week. They were not far from John Glines farm, when a heavy thunder and electrical storm swept with great speed across Taylor and Brush Creek Mountains to Diamond.
Mr. Morrison had alighted from his horse to put on his raincoat and Mr. Searle, he thinks, was possibly 40 feet away, when the crash came. Mr. Morrison was knocked insensible. When he regained consciousness his horse was on his knees struggling to rise. He also noticed about 20 head of cattle had been knocked down. Looking over to where Mr. Searle and his horse were, he saw the horse on its back with its feet in the air.
Going over to them he saw that Mr. Searle and horse had both been killed instantly. The tattered clothing had just commenced to burn. The first he put out and catching his horse, rode to the Glines ranch for help. Arriving at the ranch he rested for a time and proceeded to Vernal and to have the body brought home and to notify relatives of the death.
Bishop Hyrum B. Calder started in his truck to get the body but was met at Brush Creek by Mark Hall, who had gotten that far with the remains. The body was taken to the home of Bishop M. M. Batty in Glines Ward, the home of Mrs. Searle's parents. They arrived about 9:30 at night.
The clothing was simply torn to ribbons. His hat was torn into two pieces. His heavy riding boots were torn from his feet at the counter of one boot it looked as though a bullet hole had been made. The lightning had followed the nails in the heel. The spur jaws on both feet straightened out. The bolt had struck the left side of the head then followed down the spinal column. There were places on the body which had been burned by lightning.
Mr. Morrison does not know how long he laid on the ground. When the flash came it seems, he said, like a million needles hit him in the face. There was but one other crash thunder and that was while he was putting out the fire in the clothing of Searle. Indications are that Mr. Searle was also off his horse although Mr. Morrison does not know. The saddle on the horse was uninjured. As soon as he again mounted his horse it was Mr. Morrison;s intention of getting a lunch which was tied on Mr. Searle's saddle.
The overalls of the victim looked as though one had hung them up and slashed them into ribbons with a knife. One sock was torn off and the other just the lover half. About an 8 inch strip was torn from the front of his shirt and a 2 inch strip from the front of both legs of his overalls. Fire had started on a spot on the shirt and overalls.
Mr. Morrison cannot remember any of the noise of the crash of thunder but it must have been teriffic as at the Glines ranch over a mile away, it was deafening and a team nearly ran away. And Mark Hall, a mile and a half away, had a team he was driving run away.
The deceased, who was born in Washington County, his parents being George A. Searle and Zina Alexander Searle. In 1907, he married Zinna Batty, the daughter of Bishop and M. M. Batty of Glines Ward. Besides the widow, the daughter, the deceased is survived by 4 sons, Raymond 15, Carl 12, Jay 8 and Woodey 4; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Searle, Sr.; one sister, Mrs. Thelma Beihl; three brothers, Claude R. Searle, Member of the Salt Lake Real Estate Company, George Jr., and Merle, all of Salt Lake City. His father is state inspector of weights and measures.
Mr. Searle was a prominent stockman of the section and has a grazing homestead on Diamond Mountain. He was also buying cattle for Peck and Graham of Ogden. Just recently he returned from Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he had taken a shipment of cattle. He was highly respected and trusted by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held Saturday at the First Ward Meeting House with Bishop Calder presiding. The speakers were Ernest Eaton of the Uintah Stake presidency. Charles A. Hardy and Bishop Calder. Beautiful music was furnished by a special quartet composed of Mrs. George Walker, Mrs. C. J. Neal, Prof., William F. Hansen and A. B. Thomas, secretary Vernal Chamber of Commerce.
The chapel was crowded to capacity by sorrowing friends and relatives. There were an abundance of beautiful flowers, profuse for the time of year. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved wife and sons and other relatives.
Interment was made in the Vernal cemetery with Bishop Calder dedicating the grave.
-Vernal Express, October 19, 1923, transcribed by Rhonda Holton
Raymond Milton Searle was the son of Zina Alexander and George Searle. He married Zina Batty.
A restless herd of cattle were making their way across Diamond Mountain in the gathering darkness of a thunderhead. Behind the herd rode two men, Ray Searle and Sid Morrison, lightning streaked earthward and with a tremendous roar, scattered the terrified cattle to the four winds.
About two hours later, Morrison shook the drowsiness from his head and climbed to his feet. Next to him lay his horse, unconscious, but alive. His partner was not as lucky - as he lay motionless beside his faithful mount.
Today, at the spot near Chicken Peak, about five miles from the Vernal District towards which they were heading, stands an unique memorial to the man, the horse, and the occasion.
Built of stone and imbedded with the bleached bones of the horse, the plaque on the monument reads, "In Memory of Our Husband and Father, Raymond M. Searle, who was killed here by lightning on October 11, 1923."
(from an article called "Men on the Mountain")
(page 64)
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/heritage
/histories/men-on-the-mountain.pdf
----------------------
LIGHTNING BOLT ILLS RAY SEARLE ON DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
RIDER AND HORSE KILLED INSTANTLY. COMPANION KNOCKED INSENSIBLE, ALSO HORSE AND 20 HEAD OF CATTLE
Vernal People were shocked on Thursday of last week when Sid Morrison brought the news that Ray Searle, prominent stockman and cattle buyer, had been instantly killed about 1 o'clock by a bolt of lightning on Diamond Mountain about 30 miles from Vernal.
Mr. Searle and Mr. Morrison were driving about 300 head of cattle of the community herd of Ashley Valley, which had been gathered during the week. They were not far from John Glines farm, when a heavy thunder and electrical storm swept with great speed across Taylor and Brush Creek Mountains to Diamond.
Mr. Morrison had alighted from his horse to put on his raincoat and Mr. Searle, he thinks, was possibly 40 feet away, when the crash came. Mr. Morrison was knocked insensible. When he regained consciousness his horse was on his knees struggling to rise. He also noticed about 20 head of cattle had been knocked down. Looking over to where Mr. Searle and his horse were, he saw the horse on its back with its feet in the air.
Going over to them he saw that Mr. Searle and horse had both been killed instantly. The tattered clothing had just commenced to burn. The first he put out and catching his horse, rode to the Glines ranch for help. Arriving at the ranch he rested for a time and proceeded to Vernal and to have the body brought home and to notify relatives of the death.
Bishop Hyrum B. Calder started in his truck to get the body but was met at Brush Creek by Mark Hall, who had gotten that far with the remains. The body was taken to the home of Bishop M. M. Batty in Glines Ward, the home of Mrs. Searle's parents. They arrived about 9:30 at night.
The clothing was simply torn to ribbons. His hat was torn into two pieces. His heavy riding boots were torn from his feet at the counter of one boot it looked as though a bullet hole had been made. The lightning had followed the nails in the heel. The spur jaws on both feet straightened out. The bolt had struck the left side of the head then followed down the spinal column. There were places on the body which had been burned by lightning.
Mr. Morrison does not know how long he laid on the ground. When the flash came it seems, he said, like a million needles hit him in the face. There was but one other crash thunder and that was while he was putting out the fire in the clothing of Searle. Indications are that Mr. Searle was also off his horse although Mr. Morrison does not know. The saddle on the horse was uninjured. As soon as he again mounted his horse it was Mr. Morrison;s intention of getting a lunch which was tied on Mr. Searle's saddle.
The overalls of the victim looked as though one had hung them up and slashed them into ribbons with a knife. One sock was torn off and the other just the lover half. About an 8 inch strip was torn from the front of his shirt and a 2 inch strip from the front of both legs of his overalls. Fire had started on a spot on the shirt and overalls.
Mr. Morrison cannot remember any of the noise of the crash of thunder but it must have been teriffic as at the Glines ranch over a mile away, it was deafening and a team nearly ran away. And Mark Hall, a mile and a half away, had a team he was driving run away.
The deceased, who was born in Washington County, his parents being George A. Searle and Zina Alexander Searle. In 1907, he married Zinna Batty, the daughter of Bishop and M. M. Batty of Glines Ward. Besides the widow, the daughter, the deceased is survived by 4 sons, Raymond 15, Carl 12, Jay 8 and Woodey 4; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Searle, Sr.; one sister, Mrs. Thelma Beihl; three brothers, Claude R. Searle, Member of the Salt Lake Real Estate Company, George Jr., and Merle, all of Salt Lake City. His father is state inspector of weights and measures.
Mr. Searle was a prominent stockman of the section and has a grazing homestead on Diamond Mountain. He was also buying cattle for Peck and Graham of Ogden. Just recently he returned from Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he had taken a shipment of cattle. He was highly respected and trusted by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held Saturday at the First Ward Meeting House with Bishop Calder presiding. The speakers were Ernest Eaton of the Uintah Stake presidency. Charles A. Hardy and Bishop Calder. Beautiful music was furnished by a special quartet composed of Mrs. George Walker, Mrs. C. J. Neal, Prof., William F. Hansen and A. B. Thomas, secretary Vernal Chamber of Commerce.
The chapel was crowded to capacity by sorrowing friends and relatives. There were an abundance of beautiful flowers, profuse for the time of year. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved wife and sons and other relatives.
Interment was made in the Vernal cemetery with Bishop Calder dedicating the grave.
-Vernal Express, October 19, 1923, transcribed by Rhonda Holton
A restless herd of cattle were making their way across Diamond Mountain in the gathering darkness of a thunderhead. Behind the herd rode two men, Ray Searle and Sid Morrison, lightning streaked earthward and with a tremendous roar, scattered the terrified cattle to the four winds.
About two hours later, Morrison shook the drowsiness from his head and climbed to his feet. Next to him lay his horse, unconscious, but alive. His partner was not as lucky - as he lay motionless beside his faithful mount.
Today, at the spot near Chicken Peak, about five miles from the Vernal District towards which they were heading, stands an unique memorial to the man, the horse, and the occasion.
Built of stone and imbedded with the bleached bones of the horse, the plaque on the monument reads, "In Memory of Our Husband and Father, Raymond M. Searle, who was killed here by lightning on October 11, 1923."
(from an article called "Men on the Mountain")
(page 64)
http://www.fs.fed.us/r4/ashley/heritage
/histories/men-on-the-mountain.pdf
----------------------
LIGHTNING BOLT ILLS RAY SEARLE ON DIAMOND MOUNTAIN
RIDER AND HORSE KILLED INSTANTLY. COMPANION KNOCKED INSENSIBLE, ALSO HORSE AND 20 HEAD OF CATTLE
Vernal People were shocked on Thursday of last week when Sid Morrison brought the news that Ray Searle, prominent stockman and cattle buyer, had been instantly killed about 1 o'clock by a bolt of lightning on Diamond Mountain about 30 miles from Vernal.
Mr. Searle and Mr. Morrison were driving about 300 head of cattle of the community herd of Ashley Valley, which had been gathered during the week. They were not far from John Glines farm, when a heavy thunder and electrical storm swept with great speed across Taylor and Brush Creek Mountains to Diamond.
Mr. Morrison had alighted from his horse to put on his raincoat and Mr. Searle, he thinks, was possibly 40 feet away, when the crash came. Mr. Morrison was knocked insensible. When he regained consciousness his horse was on his knees struggling to rise. He also noticed about 20 head of cattle had been knocked down. Looking over to where Mr. Searle and his horse were, he saw the horse on its back with its feet in the air.
Going over to them he saw that Mr. Searle and horse had both been killed instantly. The tattered clothing had just commenced to burn. The first he put out and catching his horse, rode to the Glines ranch for help. Arriving at the ranch he rested for a time and proceeded to Vernal and to have the body brought home and to notify relatives of the death.
Bishop Hyrum B. Calder started in his truck to get the body but was met at Brush Creek by Mark Hall, who had gotten that far with the remains. The body was taken to the home of Bishop M. M. Batty in Glines Ward, the home of Mrs. Searle's parents. They arrived about 9:30 at night.
The clothing was simply torn to ribbons. His hat was torn into two pieces. His heavy riding boots were torn from his feet at the counter of one boot it looked as though a bullet hole had been made. The lightning had followed the nails in the heel. The spur jaws on both feet straightened out. The bolt had struck the left side of the head then followed down the spinal column. There were places on the body which had been burned by lightning.
Mr. Morrison does not know how long he laid on the ground. When the flash came it seems, he said, like a million needles hit him in the face. There was but one other crash thunder and that was while he was putting out the fire in the clothing of Searle. Indications are that Mr. Searle was also off his horse although Mr. Morrison does not know. The saddle on the horse was uninjured. As soon as he again mounted his horse it was Mr. Morrison;s intention of getting a lunch which was tied on Mr. Searle's saddle.
The overalls of the victim looked as though one had hung them up and slashed them into ribbons with a knife. One sock was torn off and the other just the lover half. About an 8 inch strip was torn from the front of his shirt and a 2 inch strip from the front of both legs of his overalls. Fire had started on a spot on the shirt and overalls.
Mr. Morrison cannot remember any of the noise of the crash of thunder but it must have been teriffic as at the Glines ranch over a mile away, it was deafening and a team nearly ran away. And Mark Hall, a mile and a half away, had a team he was driving run away.
The deceased, who was born in Washington County, his parents being George A. Searle and Zina Alexander Searle. In 1907, he married Zinna Batty, the daughter of Bishop and M. M. Batty of Glines Ward. Besides the widow, the daughter, the deceased is survived by 4 sons, Raymond 15, Carl 12, Jay 8 and Woodey 4; his parents, Mr. and Mrs. George Searle, Sr.; one sister, Mrs. Thelma Beihl; three brothers, Claude R. Searle, Member of the Salt Lake Real Estate Company, George Jr., and Merle, all of Salt Lake City. His father is state inspector of weights and measures.
Mr. Searle was a prominent stockman of the section and has a grazing homestead on Diamond Mountain. He was also buying cattle for Peck and Graham of Ogden. Just recently he returned from Rock Springs, Wyoming, where he had taken a shipment of cattle. He was highly respected and trusted by all who knew him.
Funeral services were held Saturday at the First Ward Meeting House with Bishop Calder presiding. The speakers were Ernest Eaton of the Uintah Stake presidency. Charles A. Hardy and Bishop Calder. Beautiful music was furnished by a special quartet composed of Mrs. George Walker, Mrs. C. J. Neal, Prof., William F. Hansen and A. B. Thomas, secretary Vernal Chamber of Commerce.
The chapel was crowded to capacity by sorrowing friends and relatives. There were an abundance of beautiful flowers, profuse for the time of year. The sympathy of the entire community goes out to the bereaved wife and sons and other relatives.
Interment was made in the Vernal cemetery with Bishop Calder dedicating the grave.
-Vernal Express, October 19, 1923, transcribed by Rhonda Holton
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