DAVID JOHNSON BUCKNER
b.1867
d.1.1.1930 in Driscoll Dalphins, Clatsop Co., Oregon
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++Lyell Buckner also had a copy of a letter written by Martin C. Buckner (1869-1935) that reads...........
Astoria, Oregon, Feb. 24th, 1830
Mr. Martin Buckner
Knowlesville, N.Y.

My Dear Mr. Buckner;

Your letter of the 17th, inst., making inquiry into the death of your brother, David Johnson Buckner, has just been received. Upon inquiry I find the following to be the facts;

David Johnson Buckner was accidently killed on January 1st, 1930 at a point known as "Driscoll Dalphins" on the Columbia River, in Clatsop County, Oregon. Driscoll Dalphins is located just above a saw mill town, shown on the map as Wauna, Oregon, being about 30 miles above Astoria and about 70 miles below or west of Portland. Your brother was employed as a watchman on the steamer Karafuto Maru which was tied up at the Driscoll Dalphins. A large steamer was proceeding up the river past the Karafuto Maru just as your brother started to climb up the ladder to the deck of the Maru. Captain Salte, who had charge of the watchmen, called to your brother not to come up the ladder, as he realized the swell of the passing steamer would cause the Maru to roll badly which would throw the ladder on the Maru away from the side of the ship making it very difficult to hang onto. Evidently your brother did not realize the steamer was passing and started up anyway. The Maru rolled badly and your brother was thrown from the ladder and fell upon a log boom alongside the Maru and was killed. His skull was fractured. Your brother left no estate whatever, other than a very few personal effects. The funeral expenses were paid, except $29.00, by a subscription taken up by the members of the crew of the Maru and others working there. The coroner, E. B. Hughes, Astoria, Oregon, obtained an order from the county court of Clatsop County, to sell your brothers effects and they consisted of the following:

1 old stove
1 bed
1 table
assorted bachelor dishes & utensils
1 quite old Waltham watch and chain.

The effects were offered for sale but no bids were received, as the effects, except the watch, really had no value. To clear the shack where your brother lived the effects were given to a man who agreed to take them away and clean up the place. It is my opinion this is the best deal that could have been made. The county court valued the watch and chain at approximately $15.00, but I am sure it would bring no such sum, or any substantial sum, as I have two such watches now at a local jeweler's for trade and they will allow me nothing for them, except the value of the gold in the case as there is no sale for such watches. The coroner still has the watch and chain and would be glad to send to you, if you want it, upon the payment of the $29.00 still due on the funeral expenses. The description of the watch is:
Waltham Closed faced watch with chain. Watch No. 11389192, case No. 525521. You can find out by writing the Waltham Co. or any big jeweler just what the watch is worth. The watch has 15 jewels, but is just a plated case, not solid gold.
Cash found upon your brother's body was $1.50, one jack knife and 7 meal tickets. Personal effects taken from your brother's home consisted of:

1 gray suit, 1 shirt, 1 collar, 1 necktie, 1 suite underclothes, and he was buried in these garments.

Your brother was given a very respectable, refined service and burial. The Rev. M. H. Christensen, local pastor of the Norwegian Lutheran Church officiated at the chapel and at the grave. Funeral services were held at the chapel of the Hughes Mortuary, this city, a very beautiful place, and was buried at Greenwood Cemetery, one of our best cemeteries. He was buried in a private gave and the grave is marked now by wooden headboard. No provision has been made for stone, as there are no funds for this purpose. If you care to place a stone on the grave of your brother, I will be glad to attend to it for you, or you can write the county coroner, Mr. E. B. Hughes who is thoroughly reliable. If you are interested I can obtain prices for you or you may write direct to Paul Thompson, Astoria Granite Works, 415 Taylor Ave., Astoria, Oregon. This is the only company in this district doing this character of work. Your brother could not have been buried in a more beautiful spot and I assure you every care and attention was given him. I believe this answers all of your questions. However, should you wish to know more, I will be very pleased to serve you.

Sincerely yours,
C. W. Halderman - Postmaster


"Funeral & Burial : Jan. 7th @ 1:30 P.M."