Delia D'Ambra

Martha and her children had to eventually accept the fact that something untoward had likely befallen him. but they had no idea what or even when exactly such an event would have occurred. Martha suspected that Jasper had likely never made it to Hazel Creek, or else someone would have reported seeing him there.

Martha and her children had to eventually accept the fact that something untoward had likely befallen him. but they had no idea what or even when exactly such an event would have occurred. Martha suspected that Jasper had likely never made it to Hazel Creek, or else someone would have reported seeing him there.

But without his body or any sign of him, like his belongings, to prove that theory, she was just left with more questions than answers. That is, until two men from the Owenby family took a hunting trip in the woods and stumbled upon a gruesome discovery.

But without his body or any sign of him, like his belongings, to prove that theory, she was just left with more questions than answers. That is, until two men from the Owenby family took a hunting trip in the woods and stumbled upon a gruesome discovery.

According to author Michael Bradley's book, in September of 1905, two men named Baus and Stuart Owenby, yes, members of the same Owenby family that Jasper Mellinger had stayed with, were on a hunting trip in the Great Smoky Mountains when they stopped at a natural pool they suspected game animals were using as a source of water.

According to author Michael Bradley's book, in September of 1905, two men named Baus and Stuart Owenby, yes, members of the same Owenby family that Jasper Mellinger had stayed with, were on a hunting trip in the Great Smoky Mountains when they stopped at a natural pool they suspected game animals were using as a source of water.

While walking along the edge of the pool searching for animal tracks to follow, they discovered something unexpected. A bear trap and several bones. And not just any kind of bones, human bones. On the ground near the remains and steel trap was a pair of eyeglasses, a knife, a pocket watch, a few dollars in coins, and a rifle that had the initials JM etched into the side of it.

While walking along the edge of the pool searching for animal tracks to follow, they discovered something unexpected. A bear trap and several bones. And not just any kind of bones, human bones. On the ground near the remains and steel trap was a pair of eyeglasses, a knife, a pocket watch, a few dollars in coins, and a rifle that had the initials JM etched into the side of it.

After making this unsettling discovery, the Owenby's alerted the Sevier County Sheriff and an officer was dispatched to the scene to investigate. Unfortunately, due to the state of the remains, it was impossible to ascertain exactly how the person had died.

After making this unsettling discovery, the Owenby's alerted the Sevier County Sheriff and an officer was dispatched to the scene to investigate. Unfortunately, due to the state of the remains, it was impossible to ascertain exactly how the person had died.

But one thing was clear, whoever the person was, they appeared to have stepped into the bear trap unknowingly and shattered one of their leg bones. Now, naturally, folks in Roaring Fork suspected the human remains belonged to Jasper Mellinger, especially considering the fact that the rifle which had been found near the bones bore his initials.

But one thing was clear, whoever the person was, they appeared to have stepped into the bear trap unknowingly and shattered one of their leg bones. Now, naturally, folks in Roaring Fork suspected the human remains belonged to Jasper Mellinger, especially considering the fact that the rifle which had been found near the bones bore his initials.

But without the luxury of DNA confirmation, which was close to 90 years away still, the identity of the remains were a mystery. Eventually, though, the gun, pocket watch, and money were brought down from the mountains and given to Martha, who identified them as belonging to her husband.

But without the luxury of DNA confirmation, which was close to 90 years away still, the identity of the remains were a mystery. Eventually, though, the gun, pocket watch, and money were brought down from the mountains and given to Martha, who identified them as belonging to her husband.

After that, the Sevier County coroner held a formal inquest into the matter and determined that Jasper's right leg had been broken above the ankle. But other than that, nothing else super substantial came out of the inquest, and authorities decided not to present the case to a grand jury for further review.

After that, the Sevier County coroner held a formal inquest into the matter and determined that Jasper's right leg had been broken above the ankle. But other than that, nothing else super substantial came out of the inquest, and authorities decided not to present the case to a grand jury for further review.

The widely accepted version of events at that time was that Jasper had mistakenly stepped into a bear trap which had severely damaged his leg, and then he'd slowly died of exposure and starvation because he'd been unable to walk or get help.

The widely accepted version of events at that time was that Jasper had mistakenly stepped into a bear trap which had severely damaged his leg, and then he'd slowly died of exposure and starvation because he'd been unable to walk or get help.

According to historical documents, that scenario seemed the most likely because a snowstorm had descended on the mountains right after Jasper left for his trip, making it highly unlikely he could have survived the elements while lying injured on the cold ground.

According to historical documents, that scenario seemed the most likely because a snowstorm had descended on the mountains right after Jasper left for his trip, making it highly unlikely he could have survived the elements while lying injured on the cold ground.