The discovery of the bones of a man in a pasture of the H. H. Allen ranch, on Prairie Dog last Tuesday afternoon, cleared up a mystery of three years standing.
Three years ago on July 4th, W. C. Barber, a retired farmer disappeared from his home at 720 Sheridan Ave. At an inquest held Wednesday, the bones found in the Allen pasture were positively identified as those of W. C. Barber.
The coroners jury found that "W.C. Barber had met his death from cause unknown." There is strong evidence, however, to substantiate the belief that the deceased committed suicide at the spot his bones were found. A small bottle with a screw top removed, was found by the remains: the widow, Mrs. Carrie Barber, testified that Mr. Barber had on two other occasions, attempted to take carbolic acid, that on the day of his disappearance, a large bottle of the acid which was kept in the house, was tampered with an that the bottle found with the remains was very similar to bottles in the house at the time of the disappearance.
The suicidal mania from which Mr. Barber suffered was due to ill health. He had been suffering from stomach trouble which was at times acute. His mode of life tended to increase his melancholia, he having abandoned the active life of a farmer for one of leisure, without duties save those anal ones about a town home. He had almost no intimate friends and seldom left his own premises. He had never, Mrs. Barber testified, gone away from home before for any length of time. Complexed with these facts, Mr. Barber was well advanced in age, having celebrated his 63rd birthday in April previous to his disappearance.
Identification of the remains was made positively by the finding the remains of his clothing. A vest and a hat were positively identified by Mrs. Barber, the shirt and trousers worn by the dead man were similar to those worn by Mr. Barber. Safety pins used instead of hose supporters strengthened her identification.
The matter was clinched, however, by Dr. J. P. Hayes, who testified positively that a gold crown found in one of the teeth of the skull was a crown put on a tooth of Mr. Barber several months previous to the disappearance. The crown was of a peculiar shape and Dr. Hayes said he remembered it well.
The disappearance of Mr. Barber was very sensational and created a great furor in Sheridan three years ago. All the members of the Barber family except him, went to a Fourth of July picnic. On their return, the husband and father was gone, with no clue to his whereabouts.
That he had planned his departure, however, was indicated by the leaving of a will disposing of his property, a check made out to his wife for his entire bank balance, his watch and other personal belongings. There was, however, no letter or note of any kind.
Immediately upon the report of the disappearance, searching parties were organized and the surrounding country ??. Subsequently, the nearby streams were dragged and the city reservoirs drained. All without the slightest reward.
Mrs. Barber held, from the first to the belief that her husband was dead, either by his own hand or from exposure while wondering in a demented condition. She steadfastly refused to believe that he had deserted his home and family, or had left Sheridan by any other means than walking. It was reported that Mr. Barber had been seen on Big Goose and much of the search was directed in that direction.
Evidently, the man left Sheridan in exactly the opposite direction for the remains were found southeast of the city, about 8 miles out, three and a half miles beyond the home of H. H. Allen. The skeleton was on top of a high pinnacle between two ledges of rock, in a little frequented pasture which accounts for the lateness of the discovery. Even now the remains might be unfound but for the fact that the skull had become detached and rolled outside the rocks.
The gruesome find was made by the son of Mr. Allen and a young man named Hamm, a neighbor, who were riding the pasture. They immediately went to find Mr. Allen who phoned Sheriff Mossberg. That officer and Coroner Dolan left at once and brought the remains to Sheridan.
A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon and the remains interred in Mount Hope. Besides his widow, Mr. Barber is survived by seven grown children and by four sisters. Two of the sisters, Mrs. Abel and Mrs. Gapen, live in Sheridan.
Sheridan Post August 11, 1916
page 1 and 5
Information by Karylyn Petrie
63 years old
Three years ago on July 4th, W. C. Barber, a retired farmer disappeared from his home at 720 Sheridan Ave. At an inquest held Wednesday, the bones found in the Allen pasture were positively identified as those of W. C. Barber.
The coroners jury found that "W.C. Barber had met his death from cause unknown." There is strong evidence, however, to substantiate the belief that the deceased committed suicide at the spot his bones were found. A small bottle with a screw top removed, was found by the remains: the widow, Mrs. Carrie Barber, testified that Mr. Barber had on two other occasions, attempted to take carbolic acid, that on the day of his disappearance, a large bottle of the acid which was kept in the house, was tampered with an that the bottle found with the remains was very similar to bottles in the house at the time of the disappearance.
The suicidal mania from which Mr. Barber suffered was due to ill health. He had been suffering from stomach trouble which was at times acute. His mode of life tended to increase his melancholia, he having abandoned the active life of a farmer for one of leisure, without duties save those anal ones about a town home. He had almost no intimate friends and seldom left his own premises. He had never, Mrs. Barber testified, gone away from home before for any length of time. Complexed with these facts, Mr. Barber was well advanced in age, having celebrated his 63rd birthday in April previous to his disappearance.
Identification of the remains was made positively by the finding the remains of his clothing. A vest and a hat were positively identified by Mrs. Barber, the shirt and trousers worn by the dead man were similar to those worn by Mr. Barber. Safety pins used instead of hose supporters strengthened her identification.
The matter was clinched, however, by Dr. J. P. Hayes, who testified positively that a gold crown found in one of the teeth of the skull was a crown put on a tooth of Mr. Barber several months previous to the disappearance. The crown was of a peculiar shape and Dr. Hayes said he remembered it well.
The disappearance of Mr. Barber was very sensational and created a great furor in Sheridan three years ago. All the members of the Barber family except him, went to a Fourth of July picnic. On their return, the husband and father was gone, with no clue to his whereabouts.
That he had planned his departure, however, was indicated by the leaving of a will disposing of his property, a check made out to his wife for his entire bank balance, his watch and other personal belongings. There was, however, no letter or note of any kind.
Immediately upon the report of the disappearance, searching parties were organized and the surrounding country ??. Subsequently, the nearby streams were dragged and the city reservoirs drained. All without the slightest reward.
Mrs. Barber held, from the first to the belief that her husband was dead, either by his own hand or from exposure while wondering in a demented condition. She steadfastly refused to believe that he had deserted his home and family, or had left Sheridan by any other means than walking. It was reported that Mr. Barber had been seen on Big Goose and much of the search was directed in that direction.
Evidently, the man left Sheridan in exactly the opposite direction for the remains were found southeast of the city, about 8 miles out, three and a half miles beyond the home of H. H. Allen. The skeleton was on top of a high pinnacle between two ledges of rock, in a little frequented pasture which accounts for the lateness of the discovery. Even now the remains might be unfound but for the fact that the skull had become detached and rolled outside the rocks.
The gruesome find was made by the son of Mr. Allen and a young man named Hamm, a neighbor, who were riding the pasture. They immediately went to find Mr. Allen who phoned Sheriff Mossberg. That officer and Coroner Dolan left at once and brought the remains to Sheridan.
A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon and the remains interred in Mount Hope. Besides his widow, Mr. Barber is survived by seven grown children and by four sisters. Two of the sisters, Mrs. Abel and Mrs. Gapen, live in Sheridan.
Sheridan Post August 11, 1916
page 1 and 5
Information by Karylyn Petrie
63 years old
The discovery of the bones of a man in a pasture of the H. H. Allen ranch, on Prairie Dog last Tuesday afternoon, cleared up a mystery of three years standing.
Three years ago on July 4th, W. C. Barber, a retired farmer disappeared from his home at 720 Sheridan Ave. At an inquest held Wednesday, the bones found in the Allen pasture were positively identified as those of W. C. Barber.
The coroners jury found that "W.C. Barber had met his death from cause unknown." There is strong evidence, however, to substantiate the belief that the deceased committed suicide at the spot his bones were found. A small bottle with a screw top removed, was found by the remains: the widow, Mrs. Carrie Barber, testified that Mr. Barber had on two other occasions, attempted to take carbolic acid, that on the day of his disappearance, a large bottle of the acid which was kept in the house, was tampered with an that the bottle found with the remains was very similar to bottles in the house at the time of the disappearance.
The suicidal mania from which Mr. Barber suffered was due to ill health. He had been suffering from stomach trouble which was at times acute. His mode of life tended to increase his melancholia, he having abandoned the active life of a farmer for one of leisure, without duties save those anal ones about a town home. He had almost no intimate friends and seldom left his own premises. He had never, Mrs. Barber testified, gone away from home before for any length of time. Complexed with these facts, Mr. Barber was well advanced in age, having celebrated his 63rd birthday in April previous to his disappearance.
Identification of the remains was made positively by the finding the remains of his clothing. A vest and a hat were positively identified by Mrs. Barber, the shirt and trousers worn by the dead man were similar to those worn by Mr. Barber. Safety pins used instead of hose supporters strengthened her identification.
The matter was clinched, however, by Dr. J. P. Hayes, who testified positively that a gold crown found in one of the teeth of the skull was a crown put on a tooth of Mr. Barber several months previous to the disappearance. The crown was of a peculiar shape and Dr. Hayes said he remembered it well.
The disappearance of Mr. Barber was very sensational and created a great furor in Sheridan three years ago. All the members of the Barber family except him, went to a Fourth of July picnic. On their return, the husband and father was gone, with no clue to his whereabouts.
That he had planned his departure, however, was indicated by the leaving of a will disposing of his property, a check made out to his wife for his entire bank balance, his watch and other personal belongings. There was, however, no letter or note of any kind.
Immediately upon the report of the disappearance, searching parties were organized and the surrounding country ??. Subsequently, the nearby streams were dragged and the city reservoirs drained. All without the slightest reward.
Mrs. Barber held, from the first to the belief that her husband was dead, either by his own hand or from exposure while wondering in a demented condition. She steadfastly refused to believe that he had deserted his home and family, or had left Sheridan by any other means than walking. It was reported that Mr. Barber had been seen on Big Goose and much of the search was directed in that direction.
Evidently, the man left Sheridan in exactly the opposite direction for the remains were found southeast of the city, about 8 miles out, three and a half miles beyond the home of H. H. Allen. The skeleton was on top of a high pinnacle between two ledges of rock, in a little frequented pasture which accounts for the lateness of the discovery. Even now the remains might be unfound but for the fact that the skull had become detached and rolled outside the rocks.
The gruesome find was made by the son of Mr. Allen and a young man named Hamm, a neighbor, who were riding the pasture. They immediately went to find Mr. Allen who phoned Sheriff Mossberg. That officer and Coroner Dolan left at once and brought the remains to Sheridan.
A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon and the remains interred in Mount Hope. Besides his widow, Mr. Barber is survived by seven grown children and by four sisters. Two of the sisters, Mrs. Abel and Mrs. Gapen, live in Sheridan.
Sheridan Post August 11, 1916
page 1 and 5
Information by Karylyn Petrie
63 years old
Three years ago on July 4th, W. C. Barber, a retired farmer disappeared from his home at 720 Sheridan Ave. At an inquest held Wednesday, the bones found in the Allen pasture were positively identified as those of W. C. Barber.
The coroners jury found that "W.C. Barber had met his death from cause unknown." There is strong evidence, however, to substantiate the belief that the deceased committed suicide at the spot his bones were found. A small bottle with a screw top removed, was found by the remains: the widow, Mrs. Carrie Barber, testified that Mr. Barber had on two other occasions, attempted to take carbolic acid, that on the day of his disappearance, a large bottle of the acid which was kept in the house, was tampered with an that the bottle found with the remains was very similar to bottles in the house at the time of the disappearance.
The suicidal mania from which Mr. Barber suffered was due to ill health. He had been suffering from stomach trouble which was at times acute. His mode of life tended to increase his melancholia, he having abandoned the active life of a farmer for one of leisure, without duties save those anal ones about a town home. He had almost no intimate friends and seldom left his own premises. He had never, Mrs. Barber testified, gone away from home before for any length of time. Complexed with these facts, Mr. Barber was well advanced in age, having celebrated his 63rd birthday in April previous to his disappearance.
Identification of the remains was made positively by the finding the remains of his clothing. A vest and a hat were positively identified by Mrs. Barber, the shirt and trousers worn by the dead man were similar to those worn by Mr. Barber. Safety pins used instead of hose supporters strengthened her identification.
The matter was clinched, however, by Dr. J. P. Hayes, who testified positively that a gold crown found in one of the teeth of the skull was a crown put on a tooth of Mr. Barber several months previous to the disappearance. The crown was of a peculiar shape and Dr. Hayes said he remembered it well.
The disappearance of Mr. Barber was very sensational and created a great furor in Sheridan three years ago. All the members of the Barber family except him, went to a Fourth of July picnic. On their return, the husband and father was gone, with no clue to his whereabouts.
That he had planned his departure, however, was indicated by the leaving of a will disposing of his property, a check made out to his wife for his entire bank balance, his watch and other personal belongings. There was, however, no letter or note of any kind.
Immediately upon the report of the disappearance, searching parties were organized and the surrounding country ??. Subsequently, the nearby streams were dragged and the city reservoirs drained. All without the slightest reward.
Mrs. Barber held, from the first to the belief that her husband was dead, either by his own hand or from exposure while wondering in a demented condition. She steadfastly refused to believe that he had deserted his home and family, or had left Sheridan by any other means than walking. It was reported that Mr. Barber had been seen on Big Goose and much of the search was directed in that direction.
Evidently, the man left Sheridan in exactly the opposite direction for the remains were found southeast of the city, about 8 miles out, three and a half miles beyond the home of H. H. Allen. The skeleton was on top of a high pinnacle between two ledges of rock, in a little frequented pasture which accounts for the lateness of the discovery. Even now the remains might be unfound but for the fact that the skull had become detached and rolled outside the rocks.
The gruesome find was made by the son of Mr. Allen and a young man named Hamm, a neighbor, who were riding the pasture. They immediately went to find Mr. Allen who phoned Sheriff Mossberg. That officer and Coroner Dolan left at once and brought the remains to Sheridan.
A private funeral was held yesterday afternoon and the remains interred in Mount Hope. Besides his widow, Mr. Barber is survived by seven grown children and by four sisters. Two of the sisters, Mrs. Abel and Mrs. Gapen, live in Sheridan.
Sheridan Post August 11, 1916
page 1 and 5
Information by Karylyn Petrie
63 years old
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