Extracted from The Morning Sun (Yuma, AZ)
Has The Desert Claimed This Family?
OVERLAND PARTY DISAPPEARED AFTER LEAVING RODEO, NEW MEX EARLY IN OCTOBER LAST YEAR
The following letter has been received by the Yuma Chamber of Commerce which would indicate that an entire family has disappeared somewhere on the desert between Rodeo, New Mexico, and the Colorado river. It may mean another desert tragedy. If any one knows anything of these people they will communicate with L. W. Alexander, Secretary of the Yuma Chamber of Commerce.
Dallas, Tex., May 8, 1923.
Chamber of Commerce,
In September, 1922, R. H. Crudup (a farmer), age something over 65, his wife age about 60, two sons Pete and Pack ages ranging from 25 to 30, and a daughter Buna age about 18, left Jefferson, Texas in a Ford truck which bore Engine No. 4427105, and carried Texas Highway (1922) License No. 516293. These people were moving west on account of Mrs. Crudup's health which was very poor. There was a negro man with them when they started out. They have two married daughters living at Jefferson, one of them being my sister-in-law.
These people were in Roswell, New Mexico, September 30, 1922, and while there purchased a Ford automobile, and also kept the truck. They went from Roswell to Rodeo, New Mexico, and from the latter place, on October 11, 1922, mailed post cards to the daughter. Since the date last mentioned, no one in Texas has heard a word of this family. They seem to have dropped completely out of sight after leaving Rodeo, New Mexico.
I have written a great many places in both Arizona and New Mexico, but the replies I get do not give me any line at all on these people.
It occurred to me that they might have come to your town, called on you for information about the country and that you could give me some idea of what finally became of them. If you have heard anything of these people, I will surely appreciate your giving me all the information you can as to their probable present whereabouts.
My only reason for making this inquiry is to try to assist the ladies living at Jefferson to find out what became of their parents.
I would be pleased to hear from you and enclose stamped and addressed envelope for reply.
Yours very truly,
Friday, May 18, 1923
Yuma, Arizona.
EDWARD G. PERKINS,
1103, Kirby Building,
Dallas, Texas.