Buckingham, James 1867-1932

BUCKINGHAM

Posted By: Doris Hoffman, Volunteer (email)
Date: 8/7/2014 at 17:09:02

FALLING TREE IS CAUSE OF DEATH WESTFIELD MAN

An Accident While Cutting Wood Proves Fatal to James Buckingham

Another tragedy was enacted, in the Westfield vicinity SAturday afternoon, when James Buckingham, a well known resident of that place, was killed by a falling tree.

Mr. Buckingham and frank Mills had been engaged in cutting down a large cottonwood tree, a product of pioneer days, on the Mrs. Royer Lias place, southeast of town. after they had chopped and sawed the big tree to a certain depth, the sawblade stuck and Mr. Mills went to his home a short distance away to secute some iron wedges to enable them to complete the job of sawing. During his absence Mr. Buckingham had apparently started to trim the branches off another tree they had felled nearby. While he was at work there, the giant cottonwood had either toppled over of its own weight or was blown over by a gust of wind, landing directly upon Mr. Buckingham, fracturing his skull and crushing the upper left part of his body. Mr. Mills was greatly shocked to find his companion dead when he returned to the spot. It was evident that death had come very suddenly.

Coroner S. H. Luken was called over from Le Mars, and, after investigating the circumstances, decided that death was accidental, caused by a falling tree, and that an inquest was not necessary.

James Buckingham was born at Dubuque, Iowa, March 6, 1867, and died at the age of 65 years, 7 months, and 9 days. He came to western Plymouth county when a young man, and in 1893 and 1894 engaged in the general merchandies business in Akron, the firm name being Buckingham & Spensley, their store being located about where the W. J. Bennett garage building now stands. In November, 1894, their store, with several other buildings adjoining on the east, were destroyed by fire and Buckingham & Spensley did not continue their business here. Mr. Buckingham later located in Westfield. He was a painter by trade, but engaged in other occupations during his life. For several years he operated a hotel in Westfield and later a pool hall and recreation room. He was a good, relieable workman, and will be greatly mossed in the Westfield community. He is survivred by a wife and two sons and two daughters, Albert and Clifford, Nellie, and Helen, all of whom are residents of Sioux City.

The remains were brought to Klauer Bros.' funeral parlors in AKron, where furneral services were conducted Monday afternoon by Rev. F. F. Robinson, of the M. E. church. Old friends and neighbors of Westfield acted as pall bearers and quite a number from there followed the remains to Riverside cemetery, where interment was made. Relatives were also present from Sioux City.

Akron Register Tribune
Thursday, October 20, 1932
Akron, Iowa