Fulton Journal
October 6, 1896
Luther F. Puffer disappeared from his home in this city Monday morning September 28. He had been making his home with his daughter, Mrs. M. H. McGrath. He had been in poor health for some time and his family believed his mind was unbalanced when he failed to return home. A search was instituted for him but nothing could be learned of him. This morning W. W. McAllister, a baggageman, and W.E. Hullinger, an engineer on the Northwestern road, came over on the passenger and went hunting on the bottoms east of town. While walking along the Cattail creek Mr. McAllister discovered the body of a man partly under water and lying in the mud. Mr. McAllister called his friend to view the remains. They then came to town and reported what they had discovered.
J.N. Baird, coroner, was notified and came to town at 10 o'clock and at once impanelled a jury consisting of T.H. Smith, foreman, W.H. Mitchell, Dr.C.A.Griswold, H.L. Abbott, O. E. Finch and Wardell Stowell. The remains had been brought to town by J.M. Fay and kept at his office. The jury were taken there and were sworn in and then retired to hear the evidence of the witnessess. The two main witnesses were Mr. McAlister and Mr. Hullinger, who told of their experience of the morning, and after hearing the evidence the jury gave a verdict in accordance with the facts.
Luther F. Puffer was born in Leyden, New York, March 26, 1836. He enlisted in the army August 7, 1862, and was mustered out in 1865. He was married to Miss Emma Elvira Knight at Black Hawk, Colorado. They came to this city in 1869 and with the exception of two years, 1882-1884, which he put in at Davis City, Iowa, has resided her since. Mrs. Puffer died in 1894. The children of the marriage are Nettie E., now Mrs. Martin H. McGrath of this city, and Daisy, now Mrs. Clayton Snodgrass, of Iron Hill, Iowa. The funeral will be held at 10:30 o'clock a.m. Wednesday, services being conducted at the Fulton cemetery where the burial will be.
