Originally published in The Seattle Daily Times, January 30, 1923
Howard Plass’ body found below precipice he scaled in quest of tracks
Howard Plass, son of B.T. Plass, farmer who lives near Black Diamond, was found dead at the foot of a two-hundred-foot cliff in Green River Gorge yesterday by neighbors who had searched for him since Sunday night.
Yesterday would have been his twenty-second birthday. Fondness for roaming through the woods, seeking bear and deer trails, is believed to have led the young man to climb the cliff beside the river.
Plass left his father’s home about 10:30 o’clock Sunday morning. Previously he had arranged with another youth to spear fish in the Green River, but because of the heavy snow the other youth declined.
When his son had not returned after he had finished milking the cows in the evening, Mr. Plass started a search. He followed his son’s trail down to the river bank. Neighbors joined Mr. Plass later in the night. Young Plass was unmarried. The body was taken to Scott’s Undertaking Company in Auburn.
[Ed. note: For more about the Plass family, go to “When Coal Was King.”]
Black Diamond History 