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The Enterprise, White Salmon, WA., March 24, 1960, page 1

SERVICE AT 2 FOR CAMPBELL

Funeral services for John Gerald Campbell, born on October 19, 1940, will be held at 2 o'clock today, Thursday, at the Gardner Funeral Home in White Salmon.
Death came as the result of the skull fracture and rupture of the liver, sustained in a fall over a White Salmon river bluff at BZ Corners at about 10 p.m. the night of March 17.
John Gerald Campbell was born in Goldendale, Washington, this son of Claude and Eylvia Campbell. He is survived by his parents of 230 N.E. Lincoln in White Salmon, one brother, Jack Campbell of the United States Navy and three sisters: Mrs. Joann Walker, and Mrs. Melva Van Fliet, and Judy Campbell all of White Salmon.
Casket bearers will be: Owen Stembridge, Grant Wilson, Jamie Conover, Blake Swegle, Elzie Sawyer and Gerald Sawyer.

The Mt. Adams Sun, Bingen, WA., March 24, 1960, page 1

YOUTH KILLED IN NINETY FOOT FALL FROM RIVER CLIFF AT BZ CORNERS

The body of John Campbell, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude Campbell, White Salmon was found early Monday morning, March 21, at the base of a 90-foot cliff by the White Salmon River, one-fourth mile below the BZ Corners bridge.
Campbell met his death at the identical spot which spared the life of Larry Smotherman, age 6, who tumbled over the same jutting precipice last August 24.
Campbell was last seen by his parents Thursday afternoon, March 17, but according to Sheriff E.C. Kaiser the youth had attended a drinking party Thursday night at the Lawrence (Sonny) Harmon home, 100 yards west of the death drop.
Other persons attending the party said that Campbell left the Harmon home and was last seen walking toward the cliff.
Testimony varies widely concerning when this occurred. Some say he left the house between 9:30 and 10 p.m.. Others estimated his departure at about 2 a.m.
Late Sunday afternoon Campbell's family notified Deputy Sheriff John Splawn that Campbell was missing. Word reached the Sheriff's office too late to begin the dangerous search along the river before daylight.
Sheriff Kaiser stopped in Bingen for breakfast at 4:30 a.m. Campbell's body was located a few hours later at the foot of the bluff.
The White Salmon Fire Department's disaster car and crew were called to assist the PUD boom truck in hoisting Campbell's body from the canyon.
Sheriff Kaiser thanks those who assisted: Firemen Ernie Sampson, Bill Bush, Wayne Carlock, J.C. Stembridge and C.H. Nicholas; also Stanley Larsen who drove the PUD boom truck.
Because Sheriff Kaiser shared the Campbell family's suspicion of foul play, a post mortem was performed by Dr. Shirey, Yakima pathologist, on Monday at Gardner's mortuary. There was no evidence that Campbell had been knifed or shot.
When Campbell's body was found, his clenched hands contained pine cones which he had evidently clutched in trying to stem his fall.
The post mortem revealed skull and rib fractures, ruptured liver, brain hemorrhage and broken left ankle.
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today, Thursday, Mar. 24, at Gardner's Chapel. Burial will be in the Odd Fellows cemetery.
John was born Oct. 19, 1940 in Goldendale. He has been a resident of White Salmon vicinity for 18 years.
Survivors include his parents, brother Jack serving in the U.S. Navy, three sisters, Mrs. Joann Walker, Judy Campbell and Mrs. Melvca Van Fliet, all of White Salmon.