I have another hypothesis.

I found an extraordinary number of buttons in the dark back porch area of
a winery/tavern in Hermann, Missouri, from 1845-1870.

There was no expectation or reason for rags to be there.

Rather we ended up with two assumption: either one lost buttons ripping
open trousers for perhaps rather drunken urination; or one of my students,
who found a diary from the period, wherein it talked about carousing,
suggested rather typical Nevada legal behavior perhaps also taking place,
known as the quicky?

dave browman