Dave O'Neill was a prospector. While traveling what is known as "The Devil's Highway" he died of exposure and dehydration during a storm. This is a stretch of dirt road along the Mexican border that has been used for centuries. It is still dangerous. Shifting sand would cover any traces of a trail leaving people to guess where the next water hole might be.
Several hundred people are thought to have died going back to the gold rush days but only about 50 graves are marked.
Dave O'Neill's burro entered Papago Well without him and after a search his body was found four miles west of Papago Well. He was buried along the trail where he died and the pass and hills where he died are now named for him.
His grave consisting of a rusted iron cross and pile of rocks has become a tourist stop for those who like adventure travel. In fact in 1975 his grave was desecrated by grave robbers. Three federal permits are required to drive this trail and enforcement was tightened after this and other incidents.
People on foot from Mexico are often found in desperate circumstances out of water after being abandoned by smugglers.
Dave was buried on January 2, 1915, and according to his doctor who signed his death certificate, Dave had rheumatism and Bright's Disease which may have contributed to his death. He had last seen Dave on November 30th.
Several hundred people are thought to have died going back to the gold rush days but only about 50 graves are marked.
Dave O'Neill's burro entered Papago Well without him and after a search his body was found four miles west of Papago Well. He was buried along the trail where he died and the pass and hills where he died are now named for him.
His grave consisting of a rusted iron cross and pile of rocks has become a tourist stop for those who like adventure travel. In fact in 1975 his grave was desecrated by grave robbers. Three federal permits are required to drive this trail and enforcement was tightened after this and other incidents.
People on foot from Mexico are often found in desperate circumstances out of water after being abandoned by smugglers.
Dave was buried on January 2, 1915, and according to his doctor who signed his death certificate, Dave had rheumatism and Bright's Disease which may have contributed to his death. He had last seen Dave on November 30th.
Dave O'Neill was a prospector. While traveling what is known as "The Devil's Highway" he died of exposure and dehydration during a storm. This is a stretch of dirt road along the Mexican border that has been used for centuries. It is still dangerous. Shifting sand would cover any traces of a trail leaving people to guess where the next water hole might be.
Several hundred people are thought to have died going back to the gold rush days but only about 50 graves are marked.
Dave O'Neill's burro entered Papago Well without him and after a search his body was found four miles west of Papago Well. He was buried along the trail where he died and the pass and hills where he died are now named for him.
His grave consisting of a rusted iron cross and pile of rocks has become a tourist stop for those who like adventure travel. In fact in 1975 his grave was desecrated by grave robbers. Three federal permits are required to drive this trail and enforcement was tightened after this and other incidents.
People on foot from Mexico are often found in desperate circumstances out of water after being abandoned by smugglers.
Dave was buried on January 2, 1915, and according to his doctor who signed his death certificate, Dave had rheumatism and Bright's Disease which may have contributed to his death. He had last seen Dave on November 30th.
Several hundred people are thought to have died going back to the gold rush days but only about 50 graves are marked.
Dave O'Neill's burro entered Papago Well without him and after a search his body was found four miles west of Papago Well. He was buried along the trail where he died and the pass and hills where he died are now named for him.
His grave consisting of a rusted iron cross and pile of rocks has become a tourist stop for those who like adventure travel. In fact in 1975 his grave was desecrated by grave robbers. Three federal permits are required to drive this trail and enforcement was tightened after this and other incidents.
People on foot from Mexico are often found in desperate circumstances out of water after being abandoned by smugglers.
Dave was buried on January 2, 1915, and according to his doctor who signed his death certificate, Dave had rheumatism and Bright's Disease which may have contributed to his death. He had last seen Dave on November 30th.
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