Seeley, John O.

SEELEY

Posted By: Ken Wright (email)
Date: 10/17/2007 at 12:53:38

Maquoketa Record
July 2, 1907

A Fatal Accident.

John O. Seeley Also Known as “Farmer Buckhorn” Killed Instantly.

This community was shocked and deeply grieved to learn of the sudden death of John O. Seeley, an old resident of this locality, and a man universally respected by all who knew him.

At his home five miles west of town Sunday afternoon, Mr. Seeley went out to the barn to hitch up a horse belonging to Mr. Miller near Elwood, with which his daughter Edith, had driven home to spend the day. He found the animal suffering with the colic and took it out to exercise it. He held the horse by a long rope using a buggy whip to make it go. The horse suddenly wheeled and kicked Mr. Seeley, striking him full in the breast one foot over the heart and the other on the right side of the body breaking two ribs. Mr. Seeley fell to the ground, gave a few gasps and expired.

The funeral occurs this afternoon in charge of the Masonic fraternity of which order he was a member. Rev. D. F. Boomershine conducting the services, interment in the cemetery near his home in Buckhorn.

“Farmer Buckhorn” as he was familiarly known because of the name he assumed in corresponding for newspapers was a good, honest and a true man. He hated shams, despised deception and loved truth for truth’s sake. He was kind and gentle to everyone in all walks of life, dignified and self-respecting. He was a man of more than ordinary brains, a good thinker, deep reasoner, and had a very droll, yet clear, way of putting his thoughts on paper in a way to make them appear in their best light. He would have made a great success as a newspaper writer and it is unfortunate that he did not turn to newspaper work early in life, and remain permanently in it to the end.

The Record in common with every man woman and child who knew John O. Seeley, deeply regret the tragedy of his untimely death and weep with those who weep and mourn with those who mourn the passing of one of God’s noblest works – an honest man.