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Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford

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Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford

Birth	:	30 Nov 1829 Bowling Green, Pike County, Missouri, USA
Death	:	7 Jan 1908 Napa County, California, USA
Burial	:	Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate	:	38.2991982, -122.2688980
Plot	:	Block 108
Description	:	Napa Weekly Journal, January 24, 1908 SUICIDE OR ACCIDENT? Badly Decomposed Body of S.H. Buford Taken From River Wednesday. Did Simeon H. Buford, crazed from grief inconsolable over the burial of his only son and last member of his immediate family, Kirtley Buford, hurl himself into Napa river on Tuesday evening, January 7th, with suicidal intent, or did he, while exhausted from sorrow and age, accidentally meet his death by drowning on the same evening, while wandering aimlessly about? These are the questions which a Coroner's jury will be called upon to determine at the... Read More	Napa Weekly Journal, January 24, 1908 SUICIDE OR ACCIDENT? Badly Decomposed Body of S.H. Buford Taken From River Wednesday. Did Simeon H. Buford, crazed from grief inconsolable over the burial of his only son and last member of his immediate family, Kirtley Buford, hurl himself into Napa river on Tuesday evening, January 7th, with suicidal intent, or did he, while exhausted from sorrow and age, accidentally meet his death by drowning on the same evening, while wandering aimlessly about? These are the questions which a Coroner's jury will be called upon to determine at the inquest which will be held by Coroner C.C. Treadway at 10 o'clock this (Thursday) morning, questions involving a mystery which will probably never be satisfactorily settled or cleared up. At any rate, it is a foregone conclusion that the eventful career of the old-time and widely known Berryessa ranch was brought to termination on the night of Tuesday, January 7th, by the dark and muddy waters of Napa river. Shortly before 3 o'clock Wednesday, afternoon word reached this city that the body of a man, supposed to be Simeon H. Buford, missing for two weeks, had been found floating in the water near the gravel beds in the river about three miles below town. The body was found by William Engle, who is employed on one of the barges engaged in getting out gravel for the Napa Gravel & Material Co. Coroner Treadway, who was immediately notified, went at once to the scene in a launch, accompanied by a number of citizens. Although in a terrible state of decomposition, the body was recognized as being that of Buford. The corpse was placed in a small row boat and towed up the river by the launch to a point above the gas works, where the remains were taken in charge by James G. Kyser and removed to the Kyser undertaking parlors on Main street. The body was clothed the same as Buford was when last seen in this city on the evening of January 7th, with the single exception that his hat was missing. The long heavy overcoat which he wore was completely soaked with water and this is probably responsible for the body remaining in the water for more than two weeks. The face of the drowned man is terribly swollen and distorted and presents a sickening sight. In the dead man's vest pocket was found his small open-face gold watch. The time-piece had stopped at 12:10, and had completely run down. Not a cent of money was found upon his person, and in addition to the watch, the only articles taken from the water-soaked garments were a small comb and case and several small memoranda books, badly soaked and swollen. These effects were taken in charge by Coroner Treadway. The exact time, place, manner, etc., at and in which Buford went to a watery grave is, of course, enshrouded in the deepest mystery, and such it will probably always remain. Whether he wandered down along the river and fell in at a point near where his body was found, or whether he went in, accidentally or otherwise, somewhere in town, and the body was washed down the stream by the force of the water produced by the very recent rains, are questions which can only be answered by conjecture. By some it is believed that the aged and enfeebled Berryessa rancher while wandering out in the direction of Tulocay cemetery on the evening on which he disappeared, strayed off the street and fell into the river at a point near the old cream of tartar works. A few days after Buford's disappearance the prints of hands and fingers of a person were discovered in the mud on the edge of the bank of the stream at this point, and on Wednesday afternoon a local citizen informed Coroner Treadway that about a week ago while grappling with hooks in the water at this particular place one of the instruments contained a quantity of human gray hair when pulled out of the water. At the cream of tartar works the channel is particularly deep. It will be remembered that at the funeral of his only son on Tuesday afternoon two weeks ago the grief of Simeon Buford was a most pitiful spectacle, and so great that it could not be assuaged or the aged father comforted. For hours after the funeral Buford in a dazed condition walked about the streets, frequently sitting down on the steps of business houses, where he wept bitterly but quietly. During the early part of the evening he told numerous friends that he intended to sleep on his boy's grave that night. To others he declared his intention to commit suicide, and it was reported on Wednesday evening that on the night that he dropped out of sight Buford attempted to purchase various kinds of poisons in the local drug stores. The last seen of the missing man was at about 8 o'clock on the night of January 7th, and from that hour until his body was found floating in the river south of town, not the slightest trace of him was ever found. It is doubtful if any man ever lived in Napa county who had a sadder, more eventful and tempestuous career than "Sim" Buford. Born in Bowling Green, Missouri, almost 78 years ago, sadness and sorrow crept into and became a part of his existence almost from his infancy. When only four years old he witnessed his father torn to shreds by lightning, the horror of which Buford never forgot. At the age of 12, his mother died, and Buford, left an orphan, made his way in the world from that time on. For a time he worked upon ranches in his native State, and for some years worked as a printer. In 1849 he arrived in California, and engaged in mining in the northern part of the State with varying success until 1854, when he started to return to Missouri. He took passage on the "Yankee Blade," which was wrecked off Cape Aguilar, Santa Barbara county. A few months later he again started East and being successful this time, spent two years in his native and several adjoining States. Returning to California in 1856, he engaged in mining for a couple of years, finally locating at Soscol, below town, where for ten years he followed stock raising and farming. Since 1868 he lived in Berryessa valley, where he owned 320 acres of fine land; he also owned a fine farm in Yolo county. Some years ago an unfortunate marriage of Buford's only daughter, Maud, drove Mrs. Buford to a premature grave, and several years later the daughter died under mysterious circumstances. Since the passing of his wife and daughter the husband and father, brooding over their deaths, slowly but surely declined, and when his son Kirtley passed away several weeks ago the aged and broken-hearted man felt and believed that he had lost everything left in the world for him to live for. "Sim" Buford was descended from one of Kentucky's noblest and foremost families, his double first cousin "Abe" Buford being the celebrated Confederate General. The deceased was a typical Southern gentleman-honest, straightforward, chivalrous, kind-hearted and generous to a fault. And the only human being that was ever harmed in the slightest degree by him was "Sim" Buford himself. He was known and esteemed by nearly every one of the older residents of the county. No funeral arrangements have yet been made. ---------------- The Sexton record notes he was born in Kentucky (as do some census and California Great Registers and this Civil War registration), a California Pioneer record notes he was born in Clarksville, Missouri (as do some census records). ----------------

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford's memorial?
Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford's memorial is located at: Tulocay Cemetery, Napa, Napa County, USA.
When did Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford death?
Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford death on 7 Jan 1908 in Napa County, California, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Simeon Henry “Sim” Buford's memorial?
Latitude: 38.2991982
Longitude: -122.2688980

Family Members:

Spouse

Angeline Rae Ish Buford

(1843 - 1896)

Children

Maud L. Buford Baxter

(1869 - 1900)

Kirtley “Kirk” Buford

(1872 - 1908)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Tulocay Cemetery
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2991982, -122.2688980

2. Saint Mary's Episcopal Church Columbarium
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2956500, -122.2952700

3. Napa State Hospital Cemetery
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2767540, -122.2722070

4. Napa Valley Memorial Park and Mortuary
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2617700, -122.2717600

5. Bubbling Well Pet Memorial Park
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3686590, -122.2534730

6. Dry Creek Cemetery
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3394320, -122.3517170

7. Brothers of the Christian Schools Cemetery
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3352490, -122.3913450

8. Wooden Valley Cemetery
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3791500, -122.1823200

9. Partrick Cemetery
Napa, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3347200, -122.4027800

10. Veterans Memorial Grove Cemetery
Yountville, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3913340, -122.3711930

11. Rockville Cemetery
Fairfield, Solano County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2482834, -122.1207504

12. Solano Community College
Fairfield, Solano County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2355700, -122.1254500

13. Napa Redwoods Cemetery
Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3689003, -122.4094009

14. George C. Yount Pioneer Cemetery
Yountville, Napa County, USA
Coordinate: 38.4084430, -122.3689470

15. Saint Francis Solano Cemetery
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2915993, -122.4459991

16. Valley Cemetery
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2832985, -122.4496994

17. Trinity Episcopal Church Columbarium
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2930390, -122.4521650

18. Mountain Cemetery
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.3008003, -122.4535980

19. Mission San Francisco Solano Cemetery
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2937164, -122.4561844

20. Sonoma Veterans Cemetery
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2992790, -122.4566390

21. Faith Lutheran Church Memorial Garden
Sonoma, Sonoma County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2932380, -122.4880690

22. Sunrise Memorial Cemetery
Vallejo, Solano County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1194000, -122.2605972

23. Hillside Cemetery
Vallejo, Solano County, USA
Coordinate: 38.1185989, -122.2647018

24. Fairmont Memorial Park
Fairfield, Solano County, USA
Coordinate: 38.2648040, -122.0411970