No. 50 Franklin Co, Nebr. Friday October 26, 1906
Grandfather Buster No More
(written by J.A.B.)
Although anticipated for some months the death of Grandfather Buster early Tuesday morning was a distinct shock to the citizens of this community, who during his long residence here of thirty-four years have learned to love and revere him. Funeral services were conducted at the Congregational Church Wednesday at two p.m. by Rev. Thos. F. Asbby of Elk Creek, who also was one of Franklin county's earliest settlers, and who paid a fitting tribute to the memory of his departed neighbor and friend. The clergyman referred feelingly to the moral character of the departed who had lived an upright Christian life untarnished by the world of sin about him. In a most fervent prayer Rev. Asbby said that his friend has neither shrank from poverty, nor swerved from the narrow pathway of the righteousness in quest of riches, but had stuck to his ideal true manhood.
The friends were consoled in the thought that Christ is the resurrection and ??? living in Him there is no death. The song service was beautiful and the large ?? assembled to pay a last tribute to a faithful ??? neighbor and a moral ?? husband and father was deeply ?? by the touching sentiments and ?? of such hymns as "Jesus Love of my Soul", and "Asleep in Jesus".
Samuel Henderson Buster was born in Greene County, Tennessee, Feb. 29, 1832, removing when a small boy to Platte county, Missouri, where he united with the Methodist church. Later settling in Holt county where on the 28th day of September, 1854, he was united in marriage with Mary M. Young, who has been his boon companion and faithful wife for more than half a century. Two sons and eight daughters have blessed this union of love, all of whom (together with three brothers and three sisters) survive to console the heartbroken widow and testify to the goodness of him whose death marks the first break in the family circle. The Busters settled on a homestead near the site of this city in 1872 and but for a break of three years deceased has lived in this vicinity ever since.
A sketch of the life of Mr. Buster were incomplete were it ended without briefly noting his splendid record as a brave soldier of the Confederacy. At the outbreak of the civil war he cast his fortunes with the command of Gen. Marmaduke which distinguished itself until peace was declared and then immortalized itself by refusing to surrender. The command was marched to the Rio Grande river where the battle scarred flag of so many hard fought fields was forever buried beneath the waves of that dark rolling river. After witnessing this sacred disposal of his revered and never surrendered colors Mr. Buster bade farewell to his commander and comrades, turning his face homeward where he swore allegiance to the union he has ever blessed and cherished. Gen. Marmaduke and the remnants of his once glorious and almost invincible command exiled themselves to Mexico, but it is perhaps needless to add that the subject of this sketch has never regretted his return to the land of the free and the home of the brave.
The love of the boys who wore the gray was attested at the funeral by the large attendance of the members of Ben Franklin Post G.A.R.
Mrs. Buster and Children * copied as written, bold face done for clarity, ?? were unreadable. lms