Swept to Death Over Maui Cliff
Missionary From Utah Loses Life In Journey Over Treacherous Trail
(Evening Bulletin, January 10, 1911)
HANA, Maui, Jan. 10. Losing his footing in a swift stream that swept over the cliff and down to the sea more than a thousand feet below, Elder J. E. Kirkman, of the Mormon church, was killed today on the road between Kipahulu and Kaupo.
Elder Kirkman accompanied by Elder Frank McMasters set out this morning to go to Kaupo from Kipahulu, a distance of about fourteen miles. The mountain path is one of the most dangerous in the entire Territory. It skirts the edges of the cliffs, crosses deep gulches and dashing streams, and almost anywhere along its course a misstep means death or accident.
The two Mormon leaders were riding, on mules. At Alelele, some two miles from Kipahulu, the trail crosses a swift and treacherous stream close to the edge of the cliff. It is supposed that Elder Kirkman’s mule lost its feet in the water. Both mule and rider were swept over the cliff and down into the sea far below. So far the body has not been recovered, although efforts are being made to do so.
According to local members of the church, both Elders Kirkman and McMasters are residents of Utah and were sent here to carry on the missionary work of their faith. They arrived less than a year ago and lately have been doing church work on Maui. Their home was previously in Salt Lake City. The Bulletin’s message today was the first received here telling of the accident.
Fatality at Hana
Two Mormon Elders Attempt to Cross Gulch, One Is Lost
Wednesday morning, two Mormon Elders, named McMasters and Curtman set out on mules from Kipahulu to go to Kaupo. The trail was bad after the heavy rains, and in many places was almost impassible. They made their way along slowly until Alelele gulch was to be crossed. A torrent of water was rushing through the gulch. Being malihinis in that region, and not realizing the danger Curtman started his mule across to the Kaupo side. After he had gone a short distance, to the horror of McMasters; Curtman’s mule was seen to loose its footing, and almost before he realized it, man and mule were being rushed over a precipice about 300 feet high. From the place where the accident happened to the open sea is about one mile. McMasters hastened back to Kipahulu and notified the police, and they have been searching for some trace of the body, but without success up to the time of our going to press.
The trousers worn by Curtman have been recovered, together with his watch which was in the trousers pocket. The body of the mule can be seen floating, in the pool, with the saddle still attached. Natives have been unable to get down the cliff near enough to make a thorough search.
Dead Mule Still in Whirlpool but Rider's Body Can't Be Found
(Hawaiian Star, January 14, 1911)
According to advices from Maui, efforts to recover the body of Mormon Elder Curtman, who fell from a trail between Kaupo and Kipahulu last Wednesday, have been ineffectual. Parties who went to the scene were able to see the mule which fell with him, going round and round in a whirlpool, and they were finally able to lower Hawaiians, with ropes, to the edge of the pool.
A letter from Maui says:
"The Mormon elders went to the place where the body was lost, with natives, and spent all day trying to get down to where the mule could be seen going round and round in a whirlpool. Finally they lowered the natives down with ropes. They recovered his trousers and watch intact, but the rest of his clothing was strewn about, torn to shreds. They also found his kodak. The mule with the saddle attached was being swirled around by the force of water, and could not be reached. All hope of recovering the body has now been abandoned.
"Fifty dollars reward was offered for the recovery of the body."
Body Rescued from Torrent
Found in Cave Under Waterfall Bathed in Rainbow Spray
(Hawaiian Gazette, January 20, 1911)
KIPAHULU, Maui. January 16.—The body of J. E. Kirkman, the young Mormon elder who lost his life while fording a mountain torrent at Alelele recently, has been recovered from the whirlpool at the foot of the 200-foot precipice over which he and his mule wore carried by the swollen stream. The body was found in a water cave just below the falls.
Brave men let themselves down the heights into the gorge by ropes twice during the search for the body. The first time all they could find was the battered body of the faithful mule, which for a week or more has been swirling round and round in the pool. But fate was kinder to the body of the missionary of his faith, and the tumbling waters, as though propitiated with the sacrifice gently carried the remains to the sandy margin of the cave, where veiled by the falling waters and washed continually with a rainbow spray, it was preserved as though in sleep, some day to wake again.
Body Is Recovered.
With tender care the body was drawn to the brow of the cliff, and under the direction of Frank McMasters, who was his companion at the time of the accident and escaped with his life, warned by his friends fate, it was placed in a rude coffin, temporarily, and the solemn procession started for Kipahulu and the cemetery.
It was late in the day when the body was recovered, but the sun shown in all its splendor, sifting among the great tree ferns and tropical jungle through which lay the road, and powdering the bearers and their burden with golden motes. And so, about dusk, the mourners reached their destination.
Outside the village, back toward the hills, lies the little cemetery where the dead lie sleeping to the rhythm of the eternal surf. In the background rise the living mountains, clothed in their green mantles, with a coronet of snow, and frontward shines the sea. Here rests the body of the man from the deserts of Utah, whose life was given to duty.
The Funeral Setting.
Over Kaupo shone the crescent moon, symbol of hope, and the shadows from the sunset bathed the valley in mourning hue. The little company gathered about their dead and, by the flickering light of lanterns, paper and glass, made such a resting place in old Mother Earth’s bosom as weary travelers sleep in.
And soon the casket was in place and about the open grave assembled the men who had toiled for this moment, reverent, awe stricken in the glory of the tropic night; above, the shining stars, the tilted moon, the wonders of the heavens; below, the shadows and the darkness, the moaning of the sea and specks of light, that lit with a dusky paleness the mound of earth and bent heads.
Hope in Farewell.
By the side of the grave stood Elder McMasters, silent for awhile, with tears unnoticed flowing from brimming eyes. And he stretched out his hands and spoke words of supplication to God, of farewell to his brother in friendship, of hope in life everlasting.
Word will be sent to the family of young Kirkman in Utah and if they decide to bring home to the land where his people live the body now at rest, it will be shipped to the coast sometime in the spring. But wherever he sleeps will be the peace of the Almighty.
This morning the school children of Kipahulu decorated the grave of the stranger with fresh flowers.
Body of Mormon Elder Recovered
The body of Mr. Kirkman the Mormon Elder, who lost his life in Alelele gulch, was found on Sunday, the 15th; one arm was broken and the head was badly bruised but otherwise the face and body presented a most natural appearance without any signs of decomposition. This was rather surprising not only because the body had been in the water several days, but also because of the terrible plunge down the water-fall of about 250 feet. The steep pali over which the Alelele water drops is just 248 feet 6 inches by recent measurement.
Because of superstitious feeling it was difficult to persuade any Hawaiian in the vicinity, of Kaupo or Kipahulu to search for the dead man in the gloomy depths at the bottom of the fall, but at last a part Tahitian undertook the gruesome task and a reward of $150 was presented him for several descents. The first time he discovered the mule floating on the surface and on Sunday he found the remains of the young man. It took from 10 o'clock in the morning to six in the afternoon to get the body out from among rocks of the stream and float it to the sea. It is a matter of congratulation that instead of being devoured by sharks that Kirkman received a Christian burial that same day at Kipahulu. When found, every stitch of clothing had been torn from the body by the force of the water. After securing the body the men endeavored to bring it up the cliff over which the dead man and his horse had plunged; but found that was impossible. They therefore let the body down over a second cliff, and carried it around the edge of the mountain to the open sea, where they finally succeeded in getting up the coast to Kipahulu. The lesson taught by the sad mishap is that a wire-bridge should be constructed by the authorities over this dangerous crossing.