John Root
Burial Details
Obituaries
Eagle Valley Enterprise page 1 - January 2, 1920
EIGHTY-FIVE YEAR OLD PIONEER PERISHES IN STORM
Word just reached Eagle this week of the tragic death of John Root , one of the e old settlers on Sweetwater creek, during the last big snow storm of three or four weeks ago. Root was a very aged man, said to have been eighty-five years old, and lived by himself in a cabin near the head of latter's home in the evening to return to his own and that was the last , seen of him until his frozen, body was found buried beneath the snow some ten days later .
Two or three days after the old gentleman departure from his home, Ross became worried concernIng him and went over to see if ha had arrived home safely . On arrival at Roots house found no one at home , nor could he find any sign of him along the trail between the two places . Mr. ross returned home , hoping that the aged man had found some safe haven from the storm . On returning to Root s place a few days later and the latter having not showed up , a systematic search was made that resulted in the finding of the body . The snow shoes which the old man had on when be left Ross s place were found near the top of a ridge which he bad to cross, covered with snow . On reachinp the top of this ridge Root, overcome by the storm and made an attempt to return tc _Ross s . The body was found some dislance from where the snow shoes wore discarded , oil the trail , lying _as befell , huddled up face downward , and coverer deep in the drifted snow . I if iot . was one of the pioneers of Colorado , having spent most ol his days in the mountain rogioi near where he met his tragic end , So far as was known he we know he left none near of kin , and kind friend ; and neighbors performed the las sad rites for the deceased , am laid the body to rest in the cemetery at Gypsurm, December 22 .
