BELL, Andrew

Greeley Tribune (Greeley, Weld County) June 14, 1900 Page 5 DEATH ON THE PLAINS The body of a Man Found Near Rattlesnake Springs Supposed to that of Andrew Bell, a Sheep Herder for the Warren Live Stock Company--about $50 in Bills in His Pockets Coroner W.Z. Bills received a telephone message from the home of James Rowe, near Ault, Sunday, Saying that the body of man had been discovered three miles west of Rattlesnake Springs, sixteen miles west of Pierce and about twenty-five miles from Greeley. The false rumor soon spread that the body found was that of W. H. Brockway, who disappeared last Saturday morning. Coroner Bills went out with his wagon and brought the badly decomposed body to Greeley and buried it Monday in Linn Grove cemetery. The coroner that it unnecessary to hold an inquest, as it was apparent that the man had not died from violence. It was later learned from the account books found upon the body that the man was Andrew Bell, aged between 50 and 60 years. It seems that he commenced heading sheep for the Warren Live Stock company April 23, as appears by an entry in the memorandum book. His station was at the Half Way ranch, where he lived alone. This ranch is six miles north of Rattlesnake Springs ranch. It seems that after working some four days he packed his satchel, and leaving his overcoat n the cabin, he started for Rattlesnake Springs ranch, and died after going three miles, about a quarter of a mile from the road, possibly lost and chilled in a storm or more likely being unwell and having started out to get assistance, grew worse and died on the way. Some one who came to the Half Way ranch found the sheep still in the corral, and the foreman, W. W. Gleason, sent another man to care for them, but for some reason did not institute a search for the missing man, not thinking it necessary. The body, lying face upward, slightly crooked, hands clenched and so badly decayed that it could not be handled without falling apart, was discovered a range ride named Carrol, who was hunting horses. It was indeed a most horrible site. The dead man must have been nearly 60 years of age. He is remembered as about six feet in height, very erect, of rather proud bearing and a very self-respecting man. His hair was rather grey. He wore good clothes and was tidy in appearance. Coroner Bills found in the pockets of the cadavar a jack knife, two pocket books, a watch and note books. The pocket book in the hip pocket was rotten and contained $50.35, the $50 being made up of three ten dollar bills and one twenty, all somewhat damaged and totally unit to ever be put in circulation again. In one of the note books was a postal addressed to G.W. Bell, Wayne, Wayne Co., Mich., Box 100,as a brother had sent to him to remind him to write from time to time.