The  Shelbyville  Republican
Friday August 23, 1933
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UNION  TOWNSHIP  RESIDENT  DIES
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Funeral Services For Mrs. Idilla A. Barnes,
73, To Be Held Saturday P.M.
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SURVIVED  BY  2  DAUGHTERS
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          Idilla A. Barnes, lifelong resident of Union township, passed away at her home there Thursday evening at 5:50 o’clock.  Death was the result of complications due to her advanced age.  Although she had been in failing health for about a year, she had been bedfast for the past two weeks.
          She was the daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. William Gunning and was born August 22, 1860, being at the time of death seventy-three years and two days old.  On November 6, 1879, she was united in marriage to William Barnes, who preceded her in death twenty five years ago.
          Mrs. Barnes is survived by two daughters,  Mrs. John Gordon, of Union township, and  Mrs. Frank Bosley, of Huntington, West Virginia, three grandchildren, two brothers  John and  Elbert Gunning of Shelby county, and one sister,  Mrs. Stella Goodrich of Union township.
          She was a charter member of the Christian Union church of Rays Crossing, where funeral services will be read Saturday afternoon at 1:30.  The Rev. O.J. McMullen will officiate and burial will be made in the Bennett cemetery.
Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Friday February 19, 1932
Page 2 column 3
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DEATH  SUMMONS  COUNTY  RESIDENT
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End Comes Suddenly Thursday Night
To Mrs. Julia Smithers Barnes
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BURIAL  IN  CITY  CEMETERY
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          Death occurred suddenly last night at 10:15 o'clock to  Mrs. Julia Smithers Barnes, at her home four miles northwest of the city in Brandywine township.  Mrs. Smithers [sic] had been in her usual health preceding her death and had performed her various tasks as usual.  She was stricken at 8:00 o'clock and died two hours later of cerebral hemorrhage.
          Mrs. Barnes was born in Shelby county, October 31, 1869, a daughter of  Mr. and Mrs. Robert Roales.  She has lived most of her life in this county and for a time resided in Shelbyville.  Married in September, 1916, her husband survives.  There were no children.  Mrs. Barnes was the last member of her immediate family.
          A member of the First Baptist church of this city, Mrs. Barnes was always an active worker in church affairs during her residence here.
          Funeral services will be held from the C. F. Fix and Son mortuary Sunday afternoon at 2:00 o'clock in charge of Rev. A. E. Cowley.  Burial will take place in the family lot in the City cemetery.  Friends may call at the home up until 1:15 Sunday afternoon.
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Shelby County Marriages
Charles F. Smithers  &  Julia Roales
 October 5, 1907
Book 19 page 125
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Julia R. Smithers  &  Harry Barnes
 September 16, 1916
Book 23 page 85
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Contributed by Barb Huff  for Sheila Maynor


The  Shelbyville  Democrat
September 30, 1924
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DEATH  FOLLOWED  YEAR  OF  ILLNESS
MRS. REBECCA  J. BARNES  PASSED  AWAY  TODAY
AT  HOME, EAST  OF  THIS  CITY.
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          Apoplexy that followed an illness of more than a year, caused the death of  Mrs. Rebecca J. Barnes, widely known woman, at her home two miles east of this city, at 10:20 o'clock this morning.  She was the widow of  Noah Barnes and had spent her entire life in this community, where she was highly esteemed and admired.
          Mrs. Barnes underwent an operation for her affliction more than a year ago but failed to regain her health. She had been failing rapidly during the past few months, but her death is nevertheless a shock to her many friends.  She was seventy years, four months, and twenty-three days old.
          Mrs. Barnes was the daughter of the late  James A. and Elizabeth Washburn and was born May 7, 1854, in Rush county.  Her parents were among the best known residents of the section and were early settlers in the community.  The marriage with Mr. Barnes took place Jan. 1, 1879, and one child was born.  Mr Barnes has been dead a number of years.
          She was a member of the Little Blue River Baptist church and throughout her life had been prominent in the religious affairs of her neighborhood.  She was a friend to every one she met and her acts of mercy and kindness will be remembered for many years to come.
          Surviving is the daughter, Mrs. Roberta Brown, residing near the home of her late mother; two sisters, Mrs. Mattie Barnhorst, of this city; and   Mrs. Norah West, of Chattanooga, Tenn; also two grandchildren, Charles and Rebecca Brown.
          Funeral Services will be held at 2:00 o'clock Thursday afternoon at the home and burial will be in Forest Hill cemetery. The Rev. Benjamin Ingram will officiate at the services, and the arrangements are in charge of  R. T. Stewart, undertaker.
Contributed by Richard Weightman


The  Shelbyville  Democrat
Tuesday, September 25, 1923
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NOAH  BARNES  DIED  AT  HOME  NEAR  CITY
HAD  RESIDED  ON  FARM  WHERE  HE  DIED
FOR  PAST  THIRTY  THREE  YEARS
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          Noah Barnes, sixty-nine years old, a native of Shelby County and a resident here during his entire life, passed away Monday afternoon at 3:30 o'clock, at his home in Addison Twp, two and one half miles northeast of this city. His death was caused by a complication of diseases from which he had suffered for some time. Monday, he suffered a stroke of apoplexy which, combined with his illness resulted in his death.
          Funeral services will be held at the late home in Addison Township Wednesday afternoon at 2 o'clock, the Rev E.H. Boldrey, pastor of the First M.E. church in this city, officiating.  Burial will be made in Forest Hill Cemetery, in charge of R.T. Stewart, funeral director.
          Mr. Barnes was one of the well known farmers of this community and had met with great success in agricultural lines during his lifetime.
          He was born in Union township, March 29, 1854, the son of  Mr. and Mrs. John W. Barnes.  For 22 years he resided on the farm where he was born and had lived, at the place of his death for, the past 33 years.
          On Jan 1, 1879, he was united in marriage with  Miss  Jennie  R. Washburn,  who survives. He was a devoted member of the Little Blue River Baptist Church.
          Besides the widow, he is survived by a daughter, Mrs Ethel Roberta Brown, of near Gwynneville, a brother, K.E. Barnes, of Greenfield, and one sister, Mrs Fidelia Rees, of Indianapolis.
Contributed by Richard Weightman


The  Shelbyville  Republican
 Friday July 9, 1909
Page 2 column 1
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TRAIN  KILLED  WYATT  BARNES
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Man Who Was Well Known In This County In Fatal Accident
 At His Home Near Delaware, Illinois
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RETURNING  FROM  WORK
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When Crossing The Tracks
He Did Not Notice The Fast Approaching
Passenger On The Same Track
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            Wyatt Barnes, who died at his home near Delaware, Illinois, last Friday, was well known in this city and county.  The following dispatch from Delaware says:
            Last Thursday evening, while going home from his day’s work, Mr. Wyatt Barnes was struck and fatally injured by the south bound passenger train that is due at this place at seven-four.  He had been mowing weeds along the road during the day and had been up town and left the mower at one of the blacksmith shops for repairs.  When crossing the railroad going home, he did not notice the approaching train until to late and failing to clear the tack, the back wheel was struck, which shattered the wagon and threw him to the ground with terrible force, injuring him very badly about the head and mangling his left leg so badly than an amputation was necessary.  Dr. Hawk, the C. & A. physician, was called and the operation was made Friday about noon and owing to his advanced age and weakened condition he was unable to revive from the shock and succumbed about five thirty in the evening.
            An examination was made Sunday morning and an inquest was held by Deputy Coroner, J.E. Mason, Tuesday forenoon.  A jury consisting of  John Mount,  Judson Randolph,  Wm. M. Codington,  G. Whitmore,  J. Stiegart, and the following witnesses were examined;  Charles and  Thomas Ward,  George Walker,  H. A. Bailey, the engineer and fireman that were on the train and  Dr. Holmes and  Maclay.
            Very few facts were brought out by the inquest, farther than concerning the speed of the train, the location of the city limits and the direct and indirect cause of the death.  The verdict turned in by the jury was that the death was caused by accident.
            Wyatt Barnes was born in Shelby county, Indiana, Septermber 5th, 1834, residing there until he was fifty-five years of age, coming to Tazwell county, Illinois in 1889, where he lived up until the time of his death.
            He is survived by his wife, Mrs. Sarah Barnes, and two children, one son  William J., of this city, and one daughter,  Mrs. Della Studyvan, of Tremont.  The deceased was a very highly respected man as a  husband, father and citizen, and his sudden and tragic death came as a blow to our community.
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Marriages
Wyatt Barnes & Sarah Ireland
December 30, 1855
Book 6 page 60
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Contributed by Barb Huff


The  Shelbyville  Republican
Tuesday February 18, 1908
Page 1 column 4
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DEATHS – FUNERALS
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(From Monday’s Daily)
          William Barnes, a prominent resident of Union township, died at the home of his brother-in-law, John Gunning, Saturday morning at 11 o’clock, after an illness of several days of lagrippe.  He was fifty-five years of age.  Death came very unexpectedly.  Mr. Barnes, until stricken with the prevalent disease, being in good health.  Saturday afternoon the body was moved from the home of Mr. Gunning to the home of his daughter,  Mrs. John Gordon, from which place the funeral was held this afternoon at 2 o’clock.  Interment was in the Bennett cemetery in charge of Edwards & Hageman.  Deceased is survived by a widow, two daughters,  Mrs. Arnold Haehl and Mrs. John Gordon, two sisters,  Mrs. Hemsley Sleeth and  Mrs. Amos Vaught, and one brother,  Hamilton Barnes.
Contributed by Barb Huff


Unknown newspaper and publication date
 died August 10, 1887, Shelby Co, IN
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A  WEALTHY  FARMER  SUICIDES  TUESDAY  NIGHT
HIS  DEAD  BODY  FOUND  IN  HIS  BARN  THIS  MORNING
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HE  PLACES  THE  MUZZLE  OF  HIS  RIFLE  IN  HIS  MOUTH
AND  BLOWS  OUT  HIS  BRAINS
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HE LEAVES WRITTEN MEMORANDA AS TO THE
DISPOSAL OF HIS PROPERTY, AND SAYS HE COULD NOT
BEAR UP UNDER HIS LOAD ANY LONGER.
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          Coroner  Miles  Griffey  was notified early Wednesday morning that  John  W.  Barnes,  a wealthy and well known farmer, living one mile west of Ray's Crossing, had committed suicide by shooting himself in the head with a rifle.  Coroner Griffey went out and returned at noon, and from him the following facts were learned:  Mrs Barnes, wife of deceased, testified that when she woke up at two o'clock this morning Mr. Barnes was in the bed, and that she wokeup again at half past three a.m. and missed him.  After waiting awhile she aroused the family and a search was instituted and his dead body was found lying on the floor in the barn.  He had taken his rifle, one of large calibre out with him, walked to the west end of the barn, placed the muzzle in his mouth and fired, the ball coming out of the back of his head, killing him instantly.  Deceased was about sixty years old, and has two sons and two daughters, all married, and the youngest daughter,  Mrs.  Fidelia  Reese  and her husband, live with the old folks.  What caused him to take his life is not known positively, but it is thought that he has had some trouble with several of his children lately, especially over his action in buying the Cory farm last week, some of the children objecting to the deal.  Mr. Barnes was in town Tuesday and appeared in excellent spirits, but it is evident that he has been meditating the taking of life for several days for among his effects Coroner Griffey found a small memorandum book in which he states how he wants his property divided.  In one place in the book mentioned, he writes as follows:  "There is twenty-five acres of corn on this place that won't make 100 bushels.  I won't starve to death. I will die first. It is not the farm I bought caused this trouble.
          In another place he says: "I can't bear up under the weight no longer.  I have worked and done all for you all I could do.  I hope then that will satisfy you all.  Take care of mother (his wife) if you can."
          In other places in the book he states his desires as to how his wife should deed the land to the children at her death, and other matters of no interest only to those concerned.  The whole is signed by him and may be probated as his last will.  The probabilities are that he had worried over his real and imaginary troubles until his mind became unsettled, and in a temporary fit of despondency he took his life.  Deceased was worth about $25,000 or $30,000. [Born January 19, 1827.  Married  Rebecca Midkiff on September 23, 1849.]
Contributed by Richard H. Weightman

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