The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1903-01-09
LYING ON A
PILE Of RAILS
Edward Buffenmeyer Was
Found Unconscious in a
COrnfieId.
ThinIy Clad Boy Wan
dered Three Days and
Two Nights.
Was ALMOST frozen TO Death.
His Condition Discovered by
Action of His Dog After
Searching Party Had
Given Up.
Was ALMOST FROZEN TO Death.

After a terrible experience OF three
days and two nights without food,
thiniy clad and tramping in the snow
over cold and wet ground Edward Buff
fcnmeycr, aged II years, the son OF
Mr., and Ms. Daniel Bufenmeyer, re.
siding about four miles northwest ol
the city on the Fulton road was found
Monday evening lying on a pile of rails
in cornfeld back of his home almost
frozen to death That he survived the
physical ordeal through which he
passed Is considered almost miracle
Early Saturday morning young Buff
fcnmcyer left home. presumably on a
hunting trip. He was clad only in
pair of overalls, thin shirt and q
short coat. With him went his dog and
gun and over his shoulder was slung
a hunting bag. As he was always fond
of hunting and trapping his parents did
not worry when he did not come home
for dinner, but when supper time
passed and still their boy did not
make his appearance they became
alarmed. All through the night they
waited and watched and at the first
streak of dawn Sunday morning
searching party. composed of neigh
hors. started ont in search of the miss
ing lad
Thinking that he might have gone
to Millport, near Massillon, where he
had once lived the party started in that
direction. Before they had gone far
through the fields they saw the tracks
Of boy and dog in the snow-covered
fields. Following the trail which led
them through woods and across fields
they came to a coal mine near Mill
port. Here the tracks showed tina:
the hoy and dog had entered the mine,
which was in a state of idleness, but
before the searChers arrived he had
gone on farther. All day Sunday
they roamed through the woods their
hopes now and then being raised as
the tracks became clearer.
But il was in vain, for Sunday passed
without the finding of the missing boy.
The snow had melted in some places
and II at last became impossible for
the searching party to follow the
trail. With heavy hearts they re-
turned to the city ard informed the al
most distracted mother Of their unsuc-
cossful journey. She refused to be
comforted. With aching heart she
watched and waited for any news that
her boy was still alive and safe.
Sunday had passed and although n
searching party had again made every
effort to find some trace of the lost
hoy il had failed and late Sunday night
the members of the party returned
almost worn out by their unceasing
tramping through wet and muddy
folds, crossing small streams through
icy waters and the strain of the
search only to report that they were
unsuccessful
Monday afternoon the hunting dog
which Young Buffcnmeyer had taken
with him when he left, made its ap-
pearance at the home. The dog would
not remain In the house but went. con-
tinually TO the door and placing it's fore
feet upon 1t began to bark. With re-
newed hopes the father of the miss
ing lad followed the dog to the corn
field hack of the house and there on
n pile of rails was his son.
At fist the lad was unable to speak
Ills hands were swollen to twice their
normal size and he was almost frozen
10 death. AS quick as could be done
Ly willing and anxious hands the lad
was carried into the house 7and every
effort was made to bring him back to
consciousness but without success for
when he began to talk il was in Won
dering and incoherent way. Medical
assistance could not arouse him and hf
Eow lies meaning and talking in few
erish deirium. Tuesday II Is said that
little hope is held out for his recovery
The parents say that they do moi
know what motive or idea impelled
their son In his wandering. much OF
which was apparently aimless and
without definite plan. 1t is said that
the young man has not been in good
health for some time and 1t is be-
Iievcd that he is victim of a tempo
rery alteration.