[James Decatur Kerlee, a farmer for most of his life, and s/o James & Lovisa A. (Murphy) Kerlee, was married to Mary Sally (Hibler) Kerlee with whom he had 13 children, Jackson, William, Cora, Lillie, Benjamin, Lewis, Bessie, Rose, Floss, Virgil, Emma, George and Robert Kerlee.]
Pioneer Is Frozen in Snow Storm
James Kerlee of Darby, While on Way to Spend Thanksgiving With His Family Perishes in Snow Storm
Darby, November 29 - James Kerlee, 67, pioneer resident of the Bitter Root valley, was a victim of the storms of last week. His frozen body was found today, 30 miles south of here, by Lew Conner, trapper, where Kerlee had sunk to the snow-covered ground from exhaustion while on his way to Darby to spend Thanksgiving with his family.
Conner, who also had been caught in the storm, was almost exhausted when he found the body at 4 o'clock this afternoon on the Nez Perce trail through the Deep Creek section. Through Ranger Roy Witter, Conner got word to Bert Kerlee, a son, over the forestry telephone to the Darby Mercantile company here, and came on to the Allen Ranger station, while Witter returned to remain with the body till help arrived.
Jack Kerlee, son of the dead man, and a party of eight men left Darby late this afternoon for the Deep Creek section to get the body. They were equipped for a hurried trip and will return late tomorrow night or Thursday. The trip through the hills will be made on snow shoes.
Kerlee had been in and out from the mine for the last 30 years, but for about nine years had been working it. The mine, "Daisy" is located about 40 miles south of Darby and members of his family here knew of his plans to be in Darby for Thanksgiving.. This he started out to do and, after having gone over the ridge and down into Deep Creek Canyon, was overcome in the deep snow. When found, his dog was still at his side. He was making the trip on snow shoes.
At 5 o'clock this afternoon, Conner had arrived at the Allen ranger station, according to word received here, and his condition is reported as better.
Kerlee is survived by his wife and 10 children, seven of whom live in Darby, while three are in Missoula.
The Western News, December 1, 1921, page 1