I thought I would give you guys a little information about this event, since
the National news doesn't really paint a very accurate picture of how
things really are. They leave out so much info that it is hard to know what
to think. I decided to do this so I don't have to keep repeating this tragic
event.
I have met Mr. Hamilton when we traveled to New York and he has made a few
trips to Tennessee to see us. He loved to read and was always learning even
after retiring from his preaching career at the local Methodist church.
He was in great shape and was very active and energetic for his age. His
daughter would spend time with him and they started going for walks
together. They went to Allegany State Park in southern New York on
a November day. They didn't take a light, water, food, compass, phone, or
even proper shoes and clothing for the weather or terrain. She started the
trail late in the day and they took a wrong turn to exit the park. Since they
started late in the day, it was soon dark. They tried to make it out in
complete darkness, so they ended up off the trail and in rugged wooded
terrain. The next morning Mr. Hamilton was too tired and exhausted to
continue, so the daughter decided to try to make it out and get help. He
was panicing and very scared when she left him. It only took her 45
minutes to reach a trail. She did not go back to bring him to the trail, and
she did not leave any trace or broken branches to locate where she had left
him. She made it back to the car and notified the ranger station, but
she had no idea where she left her dad. They had over 200 people searching,
but they concentrated in the wrong location based on what she told them. This
happened in November 2010.
The news stated that a hiker found his remains April 2012. I assumed someone
accidentally found him, but the national news left out crucial information. A
friend of the family had been searching for him and just happened to get lucky
on this particular day. If not for him, we would probably never had been found
due to the extremely rugged location off the hiking trails. All that was left was
the skull, a walking stick (which she said they lost early on), and his watch. The
animals didn't leave much to bury.
Here is my take on things. I don't think you should go hiking on a trail without
any gear or supplies. I really wouldn't go late on a northern November day with
only light jackets for warmth. I would never want to leave a loved one without
having some sort of way to find them later. I can't see this happening since there
were so many mistakes and no planning at all. At least no planning to make it out
alive. There may have been other motives at play, but who knows. I just think it
is odd that a daughter finds out the father is found, and she simply says "at least
now we can get our inheritance." She didn't show remorse or emotion when he was missing,
and she didn't show it when he was found. Not a sad eye at the funeral that I could tell.
:debi: (insert tree and rope here)
I also think that if you lost your father on a hike in Allegany, you wouldn't ask who wants to go on that same hike the day after the funeral.
A normal person would be terrified to repeat the events of something that ended so cruel and tragic. Anyway, I'll stop there since you probably
get the picture and may have an idea of why I don't speak to certain people in the family. I hate that things happened the way they did, and I
can't imagine the hell that he went through those last days.
Rest in peace, Mr. Hamilton.
there is hope however!!!My prayers go out to your and your family !!!
