LaBounty

Solomon's parents are also buried in Sterling
Nuckolls county's (sic) last Civil war veteran is gone. Thornton Flemming Wilcox passed quietly away at the home of his daughter, Mrs. Dana Hursh, in Superior Thursday, February 18, at the age of 96 years, 8 months and 16 days. He had been a resident of Superior for about six years.
Wounded five times in action and confined for several months in the notorious Libby prison, Mr. Wilcox knew a lot about the horrors of war and until his death, abhorred the thought of the United States ever becoming involved in another great conflict.
His most serious injury during the war was a bullet wound in the neck, the bullet entering just below his ear and coming out at the back of his neck. He was left for dead on the battle field and he never forgot the long crawl, half conscious, after the smoke of battle had cleared, to a place where his wound could be treated.
Another serious wound that he received was a blow over the head with an enemy musket that left a long, deep gash and a scar that he carried to his grave. He was also shot in the hip, received a bayonet wound in the leg, and had the muscles and tendons of both legs badly torn by an exploding enemy shell.
At Libby prison he suffered the well known fate of all the prisoners who had the misfortune to be confined in that terrible place. Scant rations filthy conditions, with disease and suffering at every hand, made it a place never-to-be forgotten by those who lived to tell of their horrible experience. When he with another group of soldiers were traded for a similar number of Confederate soldiers in a northern prison, he was glad to be returned to the firing line, with all its dangers, rather than remain longer in the prison.
Mr. Wilcox was born in Johnston, Va., June 2, 1840. Early in life he moved to Illinois and enlisted with Company K of the 42nd Illinois Volunteer infantry in Springfield, Ills. He was mustered out July 14, 1865.
He was united in marriage with Miss Margaret Miller of McClain, Ills., January 11, 1866. Seven children were born to this union of whom five survive.
Mr. Wilcox operated a meat market at Belleville, Kans., for a number of years prior to 1881, moving in that year to Hubbell, Nebr., where he engaged in the same business. He later was in the meat business for eight years at Chester. For a number of years before coming to Superior, he made his home with his son at Sterling, Colorado.
He is survived by three daughters: Mrs. Dana Hursh of Superior, Mrs. Flora Daranleau of Denver, Colo., and Mrs. O.P. Hess of Holdrege, Nebr.; two sons, Jess K. Wilcox of Sterling, Colo.; (NOTE: ONLY ONE SON NAMED) and one sister, Mrs. Helen Mosher of Belleville, Kans. His wife preceded him in death in October, 1919.
Funeral services were held at the home of his daughter in Superior Saturday, February 20, at 2:30 p.m., conducted by Rev. A.G. Swanson, pastor of the Superior Methodist church. Local American Legion members assisted in the services and acted as pall bearers. The body was taken to Sterling, Colorado, for the interment. – Superior Journal.