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The Christmas season of 1901 was a sad and wrenching time for Marion Baxter and his family. In addition to the disruption caused by the separation, after 30 years, from the Poitevent and Favre organization, an additional heavy burden was imposed by the death from cancer of wife and mother, Elizabeth Baxter on December 26, 1901. Her son-in-law-, John Weston, later president of the H. Weston Lumber Company, says, "She was a good one of kindly but firm disposition and believed in truth and honesty, which she instilled in her children wilth great care. She was very kind to me, and if all mothers-in-law were like her, I cannot see where a mother could be better. She loved her grandchildren like her own. I regretted her passing as though she was my own mother. Her children were proud of her.?
Soon after the death of Elizabeth, Baxter, through the good offices of son-in-law John Weston, was offered the job of superintendent of Mill Number One of the H. Weston Lumber Company in Logtown. Early in 1902, Baxter and his family moved to Logtown where they first lived in a house next to Amelia and John Weston. Ella had taken over the housekeeping chores for her father, 11-year-old Clay, and 9-year-old Rebecca. Beulah had gone to live with her sister, Amelia, in an effort to ease Ella?s burden. As Baxter became accustomed to the Logtown surroundings, became Justice of the Peace and continued his interest in the public affairs of the day.
In 1903, a curious event occurred that had the Baxter family talking for days. It started soon after Lee had surrendered at Appomattox. Benjamin Franklin Baxter, Marion?s baby brother and the only member of the family born outside South Carolina, decided to leave home for parts unknown. Little or nothing was heard of him for more than 35 years. Then suddenly, this 54-year-old man appeared in Logtown, introduced himself to nephew Sidney Otis, and asked for a job. With a twinkle in his eye, Otis took Benjamin down to the mill to see Marion. Without an introduction, Otis told his uncle to hire the man. They both put out their hands without recognizing each other. Each was amazed when he learned the identity of the other. The family had a fine gathering of the clan to welcome home the prodigal son.
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