BUXTON, Stephen L. died 1906

BUXTON, HOADLEY

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 6/9/2020 at 09:27:20

The strange dissapearance [sic] of Mr. Buxton, owner of Pleasant View farm, has caused universal sorrow throughout the neighborhood. Mr. Buxton was seen walking on the road home from Waukon Junction, on Thursday morning and as Paint Creek was very high on account of the heavy rain of night before, it is feared the old gentleman fell through the bridge and was drowned. A vigilant search is being made for some news in regard to this strange, seemingly walking out of life, but as yet to no avail. Mr. Buxton was highly respected by all.

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Thirty-nine men were scouring the woods Sunday looking for Mr. S.L. Buxton.

Quite a mysterious thing happened here Wednesday evening. Mr. Buxton went to Harpers Ferry on the afternoon returning on the evening train to the Junction where he was seen starting on his way home but he never reached home. All the people from far and near are looking the woods through and through but no trace of him has been found up to Sunday evening.

~McGregor News, Wednesday, September 26, 1906 (North McGregor News columns & Waukon Junction column)

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The remains of Mr. Buxton, a veteran of the Civil War, who disappeared nearly two years ago, were found by a Mr. Carney while in search of ginsing roots one day last week. the old man had wandered in search of home through the storm the night of his disappearance and had met death by falling over a very precipitous bluff. The skeleton and clothing were identified by Mr. Buxton's widow and on the following day the interment was made.

~McGregor News, Wednesday, July 1, 1908

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Waukon, Iowa, July 7 [1908] - A two-year-old mystery, involving the disappearance of an old man named Buxton has just been cleared up by the discovery of his body at the foot of a cliff near Waukon Junction. The body was found by Charles Karney while gathering ginseng in the wild hills at Waukon Junction.

The remains were badly discomposed, but enough of the garments remained to permit of complete identification by members of Mr. Buxton's family. Cash to the amount of $12.92 was found on his person, also a money order for a small amount, that he is known to have purchased at North McGregor, payable to Sears, Roebuck & Co.

It is recalled that the old gentleman left the Junction about dusk one evening for his home a mile or two south shortly before a terrible storm prevailed. He never reached there and the failure to find any trace of him by numerous searching parties led to the belief that a torrent had swept him away and buried his remains out of sight.

When his body was examined it was found that a leg and both arms were broken, and it is assumed that he became bewildered during the storm and darkness and walked off the cliff, meeting an instant death in the fall of over a hundred feet.

He was a veteran of the civil war.

~The Waterloo Reporter, July 10, 1908

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About a year ago old Mr. Buxton left Waukon Junction for his home a few miles away. He was last seen walking across the bridge in the storm, and though diligent search was made for him, he was not found, dead or alive. Just recently his body was found near his home. He had fallen over a ledge to which he had wandered in the storm, and perished alone. The bones of his skeleton showed several fractures.

It is a relief to his family to be able to inter the remains, and yet they are grief stricken to think he was so near to them when his death occurred.

~North Iowa Times, Thursday, July 16, 1908

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My notes gathered while researching this CW soldier:
-Burial is in the Spaulding cemetery, Fairview twp. Listed incorrectly as Sherman Buxton in the 'Woodmansee' burial book with no dates.
-Served in the Civil War, Co. H, 1st VT Cav.
-Served in the Vermont Militia. Enrolled 4/21/1886, farmer age 36 (Enrolled Militia Records, Tinmouth, Rutland co., VT source-ancestry.com)
-1860 U.S. census, Danby, Rutland co., VT enumerated him in household with his parents & siblings:
Benj. O. Buxton, age 46
Electa, age 46
Burnes, age 23
Stephen, age 21
Florentine, age 18
Sarah, age 16
Lydia, age 13
Chester, age 10
Almira, age 8
Nancy, age 5
-Marriage record (Vermont Vital records-ancestry.com):
Groom - Stephen Buxton, Danby
Bride - Thyrza Hoadley
Date of marriage - Sept. 1861
-1895 Iowa State census enumerated him living in Fairview twp.:
Stephen L. Buxton, age 54, married, born Vermont, no religion, farmer, Co. H, 1st Vermont cavalry private
Thirza E. Buxton, age 50, married, born New York, keeping house, Methodist
Hellen Buxton, age 5, single, born Allamakee Co. IA
Queenie Kisson, age 1, single, born Allamakee Co. IA
Benjamin H. Grisom, age 7, single, born Clinton Co. IA
-1900 U.S. census, Fairview twp.:
Buxton, S.L., head, born June 1840, age 59, married 39 yrs, b. Vermont, farmer
Buxton, Thirza, wife, born Nov 1844, age 55, married 39 yrs, 6 children, 4 living, b. New York