UT UT - St George, Wht/NtvMale 15-17, 692UMUT, in cave, DOD 1914-1925, 13th rib, smoker, Dec'98

[Fake Protagonist]

I have reached out to authorities for nearly three months. All I get is a cut-and-paste response. I think I know who "Lil' Webb is".

692UMUT - Unidentified Male​

Is Everett Reuss St. George, Utah's Mysterious Lil' Webb?

This blog is about travel, religion, discussions, books and history; just whatever topic I chose to discuss.

asideshowjourney.blogspot.com

Everett Ruess has already been ruled out by DNA comparison, as discussed upthread.

Thanks for that info. I've gotten a reply and they said that it was ruled out by DNA several years ago and that he was definitely too old/tall to be the JD.

 

[theshadow45]

Webb Hill John Doe has been unidentified for 24 years this month.

 

[Puzzleworth]

It's frustrating that the images and reports on the Mystery at Webb Hill site aren't archived. The ones we do have are tiny! Fashion history is a very in-depth subject, and a historian could probably narrow his clothing's age down to a range of 1-3 years--but being able to see details is key.

Marshall Field's was a department store based in Chicago. It also had a very successful wholesaler business around the time of this young man's death, selling to merchants across the US. I can't figure out if the goods sold through it retained the Marshall Field's brand, though. If they did, he likely bought them near the site of his death.

 

[John/Jane Doe]

 

[summergirl1]

Why did it take so many years for his remains to be found?

 

[theshadow45]

Webb Hill John Doe has been unidentified for 25 years today.

 

[cenazoic]

Webb Hill John Doe has been unidentified for 25 years today.

Technically, it sounds like he’s actually been unidentified for 100+ years (DoD estimated 1917-1925).

Summary as of December 2023:

Some of the previous links are on the Wayback Machine (although frustratingly, none of the images are):

Wayback Machine

web.archive.org

Doe still has some images:

692UMUT

Archived story from 2004:

KSL News: Human Face Given to Mystery Skeleton

Still not in Namus.

The story linked above mentions LSU FACES lab did the reconstruction, but he’s not on their site, either.

The only known exclusion is Everett Ruess (via DNA).

Brief notes:

- what does “Native American features’ mean?

- teeth stained from tobacco and a heavily developed right arm from “heavy industrial work” imply an older person than “15”, imo.

- if he was a skeleton, how did they determine the size of the right arm, the lung infection, and the swollen head?

- I’ve seen him referred to as both Webb Hill John Doe and Washington County John Doe 1998.

 

[victoriarobinson642]

Technically, it sounds like he’s actually been unidentified for 100+ years (DoD estimated 1917-1925).


Still not in Namus.


- what does “Native American features’ mean?

If I had to guess, they were stereotyping based on higher cheekbones and possible shoveled incisors.

 

[iulia]

His NamUs profile is now visible - UP15512

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov

ME/C Case Number 199801495*

Biological Sex Male
Race/Ethnicity Other
Estimated Age Group Late Teen/Young Adult
Estimated Age Range (Years) 15-17
Estimated PMI Years
Height 5' 4"(64 inches) , Estimated
Weight Cannot Estimate

Type Unidentified Deceased
Date Body Found December 7, 1998
NamUs Case Created July 28, 2016

Location Found Map​

Location St. George, Utah
County Washington County
GPS Coordinates (Not Mapped) --
Found On Tribal Land No

Circumstances of Recovery Skeletal remains were found in a cave in 1998. Clothing and footwear found with the body suggests the decedent died prior to 1920. The decedent's race is suspected to be mixed caucasian and Native American.

Inventory of Remains All parts recovered
Condition of Remains Not recognizable - Near complete or complete skeleton

Hair Color Unknown
Left Eye Color Unknown
Right Eye Color Unknown

Clothing Clothing present but unknown what it is
Footwear Boots

The is a PDF attached regarding the pair of boots the decedent was wearing:

https://www.namus.gov/api/CaseSets/NamUs/UnidentifiedPersons/Cases/15512/Documents/1663

 

[theshadow45]

Webb Hill John Doe has been unidentified for 26 years today.

 

[lightofmine99]

His NamUs was modified today! There are no public exclusions.

 

[lostnwyomn]

Technically, it sounds like he’s actually been unidentified for 100+ years (DoD estimated 1917-1925).

Summary as of December 2023:

Some of the previous links are on the Wayback Machine (although frustratingly, none of the images are):

Wayback Machine

web.archive.org

Doe still has some images:

692UMUT

Archived story from 2004:

KSL News: Human Face Given to Mystery Skeleton

Still not in Namus.

The story linked above mentions LSU FACES lab did the reconstruction, but he’s not on their site, either.

The only known exclusion is Everett Ruess (via DNA).

Brief notes:

- what does “Native American features’ mean?

- teeth stained from tobacco and a heavily developed right arm from “heavy industrial work” imply an older person than “15”, imo.

- if he was a skeleton, how did they determine the size of the right arm, the lung infection, and the swollen head?

- I’ve seen him referred to as both Webb Hill John Doe and Washington County John Doe 1998.

I know it's been forever since these questions were asked.

- what does “Native American features’ mean? Likely that the skull has features resembling Native American features. Often these skeletal features aren't readily noticeable in life.

- teeth stained from tobacco and a heavily developed right arm from “heavy industrial work” imply an older person than “15”, imo. At the turn of the century a 15 year old male would have been considered old enough to work and earn his own way. I would guess dangerous industrial work was a good way to make good money.

- if he was a skeleton, how did they determine the size of the right arm, the lung infection, and the swollen head? The right arm would have had enlarged bony areas at the muscle attachment points. I don't know exactly how they would determine the lung infection. Usually infection near or involving bone leaves traces of distinct scarring on the bone. This may be how they determined the swelling on the head.

 

[Gee_rich1]

Is it just me who thinks this looks like Joseph Laurence Halpern? I know it states they believe the person died between 1917-1925 and Joseph wasn’t reported missing until 1933 but a part of me can’t get over the facial similarities.

The National Missing and Unidentified Persons System (NamUs)

By bringing people, information, forensic science and technology together, NamUs helps resolve cases.

www.namus.gov