Authorities speculate Sedgwick County man may have slipped down bank

Topeka Capital-Journal, The, Apr 26, 2004 by Capital-Journal

Foul play isn't suspected in the death of a Sedgwick County man whose body was found Sunday in an area where he was camping in southeast Wabaunsee County, Sheriff Bill Kilian said.

An autopsy was to be conducted to determine the cause and manner of death of Bart Edward McPherson Jr., 55, Kilian said. Searchers found McPherson in an area west of the 13500 block of Wakarusa Road, one mile south and slightly west of Mission Valley High School.

Kilian said initial indications were that McPherson slipped down a bank into a shallow creek and died trying to get out.

Searchers were told McPherson had experienced past medical problems.

McPherson had been out camping with friends who awoke Sunday morning, saw he was gone and thought he was fishing, Kilian said. When McPherson failed to return, they called the sheriff's office.

The search of the heavily wooded area involved Wabaunsee County deputies, the Harveyville and Eskridge fire departments, a Kansas Highway Patrol helicopter and a Pottawatomie County deputy and police dog. Police scanner traffic indicated about 25 people took part.

Firefighters from the Mission and Dover departments also were called, but arrived at roughly the same time McPherson was found at about 4:20 p.m., Kilian said.