George Rickets drowned crossing the flooded Mimbres River
George Rickets accompanied Thomas Moore as Moore headed home with a wagonload of supplies valued at over $200 [3]. At the Mimbres crossing at Hicks ranch, they found the river a raging torrent overflowing its banks [3]. They attempted to cross, but near midstream the mules were lifted off their feet and the wagon upset, throwing both men into the water [3][2]. The mules freed themselves and reached the bank [2]. Rickets tried to save articles from the wagon but became entangled in bushes and brush lining the river, was pulled under by the current, and drowned [1]. His body was carried about one and a half miles downstream and lodged against a fence on Anthony’s ranch [1]. Tom Moore reached the bank safely after a severe struggle [1]. The wagon was never found and was believed broken to pieces [1].
Sources
- Geo… (1890)Geo. Rickets attempted to save some ar- ticles in the wagon and in doing so became en- tangled in the bushes and brush with which the river is lined, he was drawn beneath the water by the force of the curre…
- Silver City Enterprise — 1888-1890 (full OCR, Internet Archive) — 1890-08-29 (1890)attempted to cross. When near the middle of the stream the mules were lifted from their feet and their floundering, to- gether with the rapid current upset the wagon, precipitating both men into the angry w…
- On Tuesday last Thomas Moore of the (1890)On Tuesday last Thomas Moore of the Mimbres started for home with a large load of supplies valued at over $200. He was accom- panied by George Rickets. When they reached the Mimbres crossing at Hicks ranch th…