Mystery Deepens at Fort Worden
Military officials are searching for missing soldiers after the discovery of a decomposed body, fueling rumors of foul play at the reservation.
PORT TOWNSEND, Wash.—Although detachments of artillerymen from Fort Worden scoured the thicket surrounding the post, searching for the bodies of missing soldiers believed to have been murdered, none was found and no clew to the identity of the man whose decomposed body was found last week has been discovered. Officers at the post are reticent concerning the finding of the bodies of Private Robert B. Dumm and the unknown man, and will advance no theory concerning the mysterious disappearances of the last year. The activity of the officers ordering the searching of the surrounding country indicates that they believe that other men posted as deserters have met foul play while on the military reservation.
“The activity of the officers ordering the searching of the surrounding country indicates that they believe that other men posted as deserters have met foul play.”
The mystery of missing soldiers at Fort Worden reflects the dark side of military life in the early 20th century, where disappearances were often dismissed as desertion. This story serves as a reminder of the historical lack of transparency in military investigations.
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