Vanishing On The Colorado

The Disappearance of Bessie andGlen Hyde:

The Grand Canyon is known as one of Arizona’s only land-marks and natural attractions worth taking a look at. While beautiful beyond compare it’s also renowned for deadly and dangerous occurrences; from people falling to their deaths, getting lost, and suffering severe injuries. This was still the case back in 1928. However, the case we’re about to discuss is one of the earliest and most peculiar instances of disappearance and death at the Grand Canyon.

A couple, Bessie and Glen, were on their honey-moon in Arizona and planned on travelling down the Colorado River sometime in October. Despite the potentially bitter cold, and dangers ahead, there was plenty to entice the couple. Should they successfully boat down the river, Bessie Hyde would become the first woman to ever complete such a feat. On top of this, should the couple survive, they could very well embark on a paid lecture tour. Money and fame were on the line, but there were warning signs early on. Bessie was extremely new to boating and despite Glen’s experience, taking a newbie down the Colorado river on their first boating trip was pushing the envelope. Without knowing how Bessie would fair, the couple continued with their plan anyways.

Though there isn’t much information regarding the moments before their disappearance, some boaters who ran into the couple claimed that “Bessie wanted to turn back, but Glen was pushing her on,” (Japenge). It wasn’t until the Hydes’ boat was discovered that winter seemingly in good condition albeit abandoned, and without the couple inside, that people began to speculate what exactly had unfolded on the Colorado river. Some theorized that the couple may have embarked on a dangerous trek which far surpassed their capabilities. But perhaps the most interesting aspect of this case comes from the number of supposed Bessie Hyde sightings in the following years.

One of the most interesting occurrences came when a group of men took a trip down the Colorado. While boating, they stumbled upon an old woman boating alone. Curious, they invited her aboard where the woman introduced herself as Georgie Clark. That night, as the group gathered around a campfire, one of the men began to tell tales of Bessie and Glen Hyde. It is said that, “the woman claimed she was Bessie Hyde,” (History Collection). The woman interrupted the tale to tell that of her own. She told the rafters that she’d stabbed Glen and ultimately killed him after the couple began to argue. When asked what the argument was about, Georgie (or Bessie) explained she “wanted to abandon the trip. It had become too dangerous,” (History Collection). Upon Bessie’s defiance, Glen began to beat her, and it was then that she grabbed a knife and stabbed him.

When all fell silent around the fire, not one of the men doubted her tale. It was said that she’d told it so matter of factly there wasn’t room for any doubt. To them, this Georgie Clark was Bessie Hyde. Furthering this odd turn of events, the men attempted to call Georgie after acquiring her phone number and returning from their trip. When the men attempted to ask her questions, she denied ever telling them she was Bessie Hyde. However, the defensive nature of Georgie was understandable. She’d admitted to killing her husband. Who wouldn’t deny the murder?

But to make matters worse, and even more confusing than before, Georgie’s death allowed her friends to investigate her home. It was there that they discovered key pieces of evidence potentially supporting the idea of Georgie being Bessie. A birth certificate was found stating Georgie’s birth name was Bessie DeRoss, and there was a marriage certificate between a Bessie and Glen Hyde. However, pictures of young Georgie are said to have looked drastically different than pictures of young Bessie Hyde. If that was the case, then the aforementioned documents were shrouded with uncertainty. Had they been found by Georgie? Were they forged? Or had she stolen them from the Hydes long ago?

Over the years many theories have sprung up regarding the couple. Some believe that Bessie did murder Glen though the motive is unclear. Others believe the couple simply got lost and perished due to the elements. Some went so far as to romanticize the tale by claiming Bessie or Glen had fallen into the frigid Colorado and the other jumped in shortly after. Hypothermia would have killed them quickly, and it would explain why no bodies were ever found. The river could have washed them away, animals could have devoured them, and it’s likely they were drug down to the depths of the Colorado.

Still, many support the idea that Georgie Clark was Bessie Hyde. But if that was the case, and Georgie did kill Glen, she’d have survived on her own in the middle of winter. While it may seem plausible, one has to consider the fact that she was brand new to boating and adventuring. The likely hood of Georgie Clark surviving on her own during such harsh weather is slim to none. Yet, how she acquired such damning evidence that she really was Bessie Hyde is unknown. And as much as the public then and now would love to know what truly happened to the couple, it’s unlikely an answer will ever be found.