Saturday Spotting - Skeleton's Diary of Suffering

Published October 1900 in the Pawtucket Times out of  Pawtucket, RI

STARVED ON A BARREN ISLAND

Skeleton of a Sailor Found Near the 

Bering Sea – Diary Contained Story 

of His Sufferings.

San Francisco, Oct. 31 – On Unimak Island, which guards on of the entrances to the Bering sea, a rude mound of rocks marks the last resting place of Charles W. Anderson sailor, fisherman and hunter. Anderson starved to death on the bleak and barren island waiting for friends who deserted him. He died on June 13, 1899, hand his skeleton in his bunk and his diary beside it were found by two hunters who were driven on the island during a storm. The diary was addressed to Andrew Goswold of Unga, who arrived here a few days ago with his friend’s last writings.

Several vessels passed by his island prison, the pathetic record reads, but none saw Anderson’s flag of distress. Once a vessel was becalmed close to the shore, and he tried to reach it, but he had not the strength to launch his little boat. His legs had failed him and he could only pull himself along by his elbows. He deliberated on shooting his dog, but he could not get up courage to slay his faithful friend. Finally the dog disappeared.

The diary records the terrible sufferings of Anderson from thirst and his expeditions after fresh water. The last entry says:

“June 19 – Now I must go for water again. I am more afraid this time than before, but with God’s help I may come back again. I would not like to dig outside but God’s will be done.” He had his wish, for he returned and died in his bunk.

Burglar's Diary

Published in May 1910 in the Evening News out of San Jose, CA

YOUNG BURGLAR CAPTURED AT GLENDALE FOUND

TO KEEP DIARY OF LOOT AND PLACES HE ROBBED

Glendale, May 26. – Melville Hagan, a young burglar captured while breaking into a store early yesterday, supplemented a confession of numerous crimes with a diary, in which a complete record of then appeared, together with an itemized list of the loot. The diary agreed in all particulars with reports made to the Town Marshal by Hagan’s victims. It was kept on stationery of a local chapter of the Epworth League. More interesting than the diary was a list of places where the loot had been sold. This included a number of names and addresses, and a full investigation is being made.

Hagan also surrendered a few visiting cards of Deputy Constable Crowson, together with the latter’s star, which the burglar had removed when he found Crowson asleep in a store which was robbed ten days ago.