Baard Foss disappeared in America?

Bård Samuelsen Foss, b. July 10, 1864, in Suldal, Rogaland https://media.digitalarkivet.no/view/1694/11206/48 Parents: Samuel Olsen (1819-92) and Barbro Bårdsdotter (1825-69) is said to have emigrated in 1882, but disappeared without a trace (unsure if he emigrated at all). No reliable traces, not even confirmation of his emigration. A sister, Brønla Foss, b. 1847, lived in North Dakota, married to Jacob Lee (Lie) from Suldal. Another sister, Anna, b. 1851, married 1. Nils Helganes, 2. Lars Østerhus in Minnesota. Anna returned to Norway as a widow in 1911, no children. She received a couple of letters from America from a Bill Samson, which she returned unopened. Later she thought these might be from her brother. The family asked the Salvation Army to try to find Bård, without results. A Bird S. Foss turns up in Alaska, b. 1858, married to Christina Foss, b. 1858, but there are several things that don't add up here, among others the birth year, which is 6 years earlier. In any case, this is the closest we have gotten. We surely would appreciate if anyone can dig up some info, even if it regards this 'Bird'. Thank you - Tusen takk - and God Jul!