The three photos showing the Memorial "The Soldier in the Field", soldier atop monument, added by Pamela Blaine, is located in Scotland Co., Missouri. Click on the photo to read more.
============
The headstone monument has been vandalized with the removal of photos on all sides. Unknown when this occurred.
============
Purnell Batts Barnett died at Ft. Riley Kansas (where he was a recruit)... of pneumonia due to influenza. His death November 16, 1917 is slightly earlier than the first recognized case of the 1918 "Spanish" flu which is traced back to Ft. Riley, but Purnell suffered from similar symptoms and may have been one of the very first people to have died of a variant of that flu. His mother placed a memorial to him where he grew up in rural Scotland County, Missouri, a statue which is known to the locals as "The Soldier In The Field". The inscription reads: A soldier in his country's service 43 Days Co. 59 164 Depot Brigade World's war with Germany We gave all the child we had and it broke our hearts What did you give? Son of J.F. & M.K. Barnett He was a great lover of nature And of all animals He loved hunting dogs the bestThe people of France, England, Italy, Belgium, and Canada Should have undying love For U.S. soldiers He was buried in your cemetery, as was his mother when she passed in 1922.
- contributed by Ken Mitchell
Added: Jan. 8, 2014
============== **UPDATE** MAR 20, 2017
Memphis Democrat Newspaper
121 South Main Street
Memphis MO 63555
March 17, 2017 Thursday
Barnett Statue to Be Moved to Downing House Museum
A number of interested parties met at the Scotland County Historical Society building on Monday, March 6th to discuss plans to relocate and restore a historic World War I monument from rural Scotland County.
Plans are underway to move “The Soldier in the Field” statue from the Cantril Farm, located south of Memphis, to a permanent home at the Downing House Museum.
Renovations have already been made to the statue, with reconstruction of the soldier’s head and hat, being done by local artisans.
Organizers of the restoration efforts indicated the statue was officially donated to the county back in 1932. Efforts are underway to finalize the transfer of the statue from the county to the historic society.
Dr. Larry Wiggins and Carl Trueblood are spearheading the efforts to secure volunteer labor to help move the statue. The group is also undertaking fundraising efforts, expecting the cost of materials and equipment for the move and renovation to run several thousand dollars.
Watch the Memphis Democrat for more details about the project as well as stories about the statue’s history.
==============
Kansas City Star
Kansas City, MO
Sunday, January 2, 1921
olume: 41 Issue: 107 Page: 11
FATHER COULDN'T FORGET
So J. F. Barnett of Rutledge, MO., Builds memorial alone.
In a Park He Has Dedicated on His Farm He Is Erecting Monument to Dead Soldier Son and 22 Comrades.
RUTLEDGE, Mo., Jan. 1. - While the nation at large apparently i forgetting the sacrifices in lives of American youths in the world war and the widespread sentiment for memorials for the hero dead has cooled, not so with James F. Barnett of this city.
Like most communities, Scotland County talked much of erecting a memorial for the war dead. Barnett was one of the most enthusiastic. He planned, with his fellow townsmen, a suitable testimonial to the valor of the county's sons. But his co-workers deserted him one by one until Barnett soon found himself a committee of one.
HE IS BUILDING MEMORIAL ALONE.
But Barnett could not forget that his son had given his all, so decided to undertake the erection of a memorial alone. With his own hands he laid the foundation on his farm, seven miles northwest of Rutledge. He is using his own funds and in a short time he hopes to have the memorial to his son and his twenty-two comrades, who lost their lives, complete.
The Barnett memorial will cost about $2,000. In addition Barnett, who is president of Scotland County Good Roads Club, has given four acres of land surrounding the memorial to be used as a public park. He hopes to have a community house erected in the park when the estate is finally settled.
FLAG TO FLY AT TOP.
The foundation of the memorial is nine feet six inches in the ground and fourteen feet long by seven feet wide. On top of the pyramided bases a flag pole thirty feet high will fly the Stars and Stripes.
Burnett says he will have a man take care of the memorial and raise and lower the flag each day. A trough, seven feet long and a foot wide, has been built at one end of the foundation in which flowers are to be planted next spring.
Barnett's son, who was the proprietor of the Happy Hunting Grounds kennels before the war, is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery ar Port Royal, Ky. Barnett has just completed setting up a $3.000 monument at the grave.
============
The headstone monument has been vandalized with the removal of photos on all sides. Unknown when this occurred.
============
Purnell Batts Barnett died at Ft. Riley Kansas (where he was a recruit)... of pneumonia due to influenza. His death November 16, 1917 is slightly earlier than the first recognized case of the 1918 "Spanish" flu which is traced back to Ft. Riley, but Purnell suffered from similar symptoms and may have been one of the very first people to have died of a variant of that flu. His mother placed a memorial to him where he grew up in rural Scotland County, Missouri, a statue which is known to the locals as "The Soldier In The Field". The inscription reads: A soldier in his country's service 43 Days Co. 59 164 Depot Brigade World's war with Germany We gave all the child we had and it broke our hearts What did you give? Son of J.F. & M.K. Barnett He was a great lover of nature And of all animals He loved hunting dogs the bestThe people of France, England, Italy, Belgium, and Canada Should have undying love For U.S. soldiers He was buried in your cemetery, as was his mother when she passed in 1922.
- contributed by Ken Mitchell
Added: Jan. 8, 2014
============== **UPDATE** MAR 20, 2017
Memphis Democrat Newspaper
121 South Main Street
Memphis MO 63555
March 17, 2017 Thursday
Barnett Statue to Be Moved to Downing House Museum
A number of interested parties met at the Scotland County Historical Society building on Monday, March 6th to discuss plans to relocate and restore a historic World War I monument from rural Scotland County.
Plans are underway to move “The Soldier in the Field” statue from the Cantril Farm, located south of Memphis, to a permanent home at the Downing House Museum.
Renovations have already been made to the statue, with reconstruction of the soldier’s head and hat, being done by local artisans.
Organizers of the restoration efforts indicated the statue was officially donated to the county back in 1932. Efforts are underway to finalize the transfer of the statue from the county to the historic society.
Dr. Larry Wiggins and Carl Trueblood are spearheading the efforts to secure volunteer labor to help move the statue. The group is also undertaking fundraising efforts, expecting the cost of materials and equipment for the move and renovation to run several thousand dollars.
Watch the Memphis Democrat for more details about the project as well as stories about the statue’s history.
==============
Kansas City Star
Kansas City, MO
Sunday, January 2, 1921
olume: 41 Issue: 107 Page: 11
FATHER COULDN'T FORGET
So J. F. Barnett of Rutledge, MO., Builds memorial alone.
In a Park He Has Dedicated on His Farm He Is Erecting Monument to Dead Soldier Son and 22 Comrades.
RUTLEDGE, Mo., Jan. 1. - While the nation at large apparently i forgetting the sacrifices in lives of American youths in the world war and the widespread sentiment for memorials for the hero dead has cooled, not so with James F. Barnett of this city.
Like most communities, Scotland County talked much of erecting a memorial for the war dead. Barnett was one of the most enthusiastic. He planned, with his fellow townsmen, a suitable testimonial to the valor of the county's sons. But his co-workers deserted him one by one until Barnett soon found himself a committee of one.
HE IS BUILDING MEMORIAL ALONE.
But Barnett could not forget that his son had given his all, so decided to undertake the erection of a memorial alone. With his own hands he laid the foundation on his farm, seven miles northwest of Rutledge. He is using his own funds and in a short time he hopes to have the memorial to his son and his twenty-two comrades, who lost their lives, complete.
The Barnett memorial will cost about $2,000. In addition Barnett, who is president of Scotland County Good Roads Club, has given four acres of land surrounding the memorial to be used as a public park. He hopes to have a community house erected in the park when the estate is finally settled.
FLAG TO FLY AT TOP.
The foundation of the memorial is nine feet six inches in the ground and fourteen feet long by seven feet wide. On top of the pyramided bases a flag pole thirty feet high will fly the Stars and Stripes.
Burnett says he will have a man take care of the memorial and raise and lower the flag each day. A trough, seven feet long and a foot wide, has been built at one end of the foundation in which flowers are to be planted next spring.
Barnett's son, who was the proprietor of the Happy Hunting Grounds kennels before the war, is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery ar Port Royal, Ky. Barnett has just completed setting up a $3.000 monument at the grave.
The three photos showing the Memorial "The Soldier in the Field", soldier atop monument, added by Pamela Blaine, is located in Scotland Co., Missouri. Click on the photo to read more.
============
The headstone monument has been vandalized with the removal of photos on all sides. Unknown when this occurred.
============
Purnell Batts Barnett died at Ft. Riley Kansas (where he was a recruit)... of pneumonia due to influenza. His death November 16, 1917 is slightly earlier than the first recognized case of the 1918 "Spanish" flu which is traced back to Ft. Riley, but Purnell suffered from similar symptoms and may have been one of the very first people to have died of a variant of that flu. His mother placed a memorial to him where he grew up in rural Scotland County, Missouri, a statue which is known to the locals as "The Soldier In The Field". The inscription reads: A soldier in his country's service 43 Days Co. 59 164 Depot Brigade World's war with Germany We gave all the child we had and it broke our hearts What did you give? Son of J.F. & M.K. Barnett He was a great lover of nature And of all animals He loved hunting dogs the bestThe people of France, England, Italy, Belgium, and Canada Should have undying love For U.S. soldiers He was buried in your cemetery, as was his mother when she passed in 1922.
- contributed by Ken Mitchell
Added: Jan. 8, 2014
============== **UPDATE** MAR 20, 2017
Memphis Democrat Newspaper
121 South Main Street
Memphis MO 63555
March 17, 2017 Thursday
Barnett Statue to Be Moved to Downing House Museum
A number of interested parties met at the Scotland County Historical Society building on Monday, March 6th to discuss plans to relocate and restore a historic World War I monument from rural Scotland County.
Plans are underway to move “The Soldier in the Field” statue from the Cantril Farm, located south of Memphis, to a permanent home at the Downing House Museum.
Renovations have already been made to the statue, with reconstruction of the soldier’s head and hat, being done by local artisans.
Organizers of the restoration efforts indicated the statue was officially donated to the county back in 1932. Efforts are underway to finalize the transfer of the statue from the county to the historic society.
Dr. Larry Wiggins and Carl Trueblood are spearheading the efforts to secure volunteer labor to help move the statue. The group is also undertaking fundraising efforts, expecting the cost of materials and equipment for the move and renovation to run several thousand dollars.
Watch the Memphis Democrat for more details about the project as well as stories about the statue’s history.
==============
Kansas City Star
Kansas City, MO
Sunday, January 2, 1921
olume: 41 Issue: 107 Page: 11
FATHER COULDN'T FORGET
So J. F. Barnett of Rutledge, MO., Builds memorial alone.
In a Park He Has Dedicated on His Farm He Is Erecting Monument to Dead Soldier Son and 22 Comrades.
RUTLEDGE, Mo., Jan. 1. - While the nation at large apparently i forgetting the sacrifices in lives of American youths in the world war and the widespread sentiment for memorials for the hero dead has cooled, not so with James F. Barnett of this city.
Like most communities, Scotland County talked much of erecting a memorial for the war dead. Barnett was one of the most enthusiastic. He planned, with his fellow townsmen, a suitable testimonial to the valor of the county's sons. But his co-workers deserted him one by one until Barnett soon found himself a committee of one.
HE IS BUILDING MEMORIAL ALONE.
But Barnett could not forget that his son had given his all, so decided to undertake the erection of a memorial alone. With his own hands he laid the foundation on his farm, seven miles northwest of Rutledge. He is using his own funds and in a short time he hopes to have the memorial to his son and his twenty-two comrades, who lost their lives, complete.
The Barnett memorial will cost about $2,000. In addition Barnett, who is president of Scotland County Good Roads Club, has given four acres of land surrounding the memorial to be used as a public park. He hopes to have a community house erected in the park when the estate is finally settled.
FLAG TO FLY AT TOP.
The foundation of the memorial is nine feet six inches in the ground and fourteen feet long by seven feet wide. On top of the pyramided bases a flag pole thirty feet high will fly the Stars and Stripes.
Burnett says he will have a man take care of the memorial and raise and lower the flag each day. A trough, seven feet long and a foot wide, has been built at one end of the foundation in which flowers are to be planted next spring.
Barnett's son, who was the proprietor of the Happy Hunting Grounds kennels before the war, is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery ar Port Royal, Ky. Barnett has just completed setting up a $3.000 monument at the grave.
============
The headstone monument has been vandalized with the removal of photos on all sides. Unknown when this occurred.
============
Purnell Batts Barnett died at Ft. Riley Kansas (where he was a recruit)... of pneumonia due to influenza. His death November 16, 1917 is slightly earlier than the first recognized case of the 1918 "Spanish" flu which is traced back to Ft. Riley, but Purnell suffered from similar symptoms and may have been one of the very first people to have died of a variant of that flu. His mother placed a memorial to him where he grew up in rural Scotland County, Missouri, a statue which is known to the locals as "The Soldier In The Field". The inscription reads: A soldier in his country's service 43 Days Co. 59 164 Depot Brigade World's war with Germany We gave all the child we had and it broke our hearts What did you give? Son of J.F. & M.K. Barnett He was a great lover of nature And of all animals He loved hunting dogs the bestThe people of France, England, Italy, Belgium, and Canada Should have undying love For U.S. soldiers He was buried in your cemetery, as was his mother when she passed in 1922.
- contributed by Ken Mitchell
Added: Jan. 8, 2014
============== **UPDATE** MAR 20, 2017
Memphis Democrat Newspaper
121 South Main Street
Memphis MO 63555
March 17, 2017 Thursday
Barnett Statue to Be Moved to Downing House Museum
A number of interested parties met at the Scotland County Historical Society building on Monday, March 6th to discuss plans to relocate and restore a historic World War I monument from rural Scotland County.
Plans are underway to move “The Soldier in the Field” statue from the Cantril Farm, located south of Memphis, to a permanent home at the Downing House Museum.
Renovations have already been made to the statue, with reconstruction of the soldier’s head and hat, being done by local artisans.
Organizers of the restoration efforts indicated the statue was officially donated to the county back in 1932. Efforts are underway to finalize the transfer of the statue from the county to the historic society.
Dr. Larry Wiggins and Carl Trueblood are spearheading the efforts to secure volunteer labor to help move the statue. The group is also undertaking fundraising efforts, expecting the cost of materials and equipment for the move and renovation to run several thousand dollars.
Watch the Memphis Democrat for more details about the project as well as stories about the statue’s history.
==============
Kansas City Star
Kansas City, MO
Sunday, January 2, 1921
olume: 41 Issue: 107 Page: 11
FATHER COULDN'T FORGET
So J. F. Barnett of Rutledge, MO., Builds memorial alone.
In a Park He Has Dedicated on His Farm He Is Erecting Monument to Dead Soldier Son and 22 Comrades.
RUTLEDGE, Mo., Jan. 1. - While the nation at large apparently i forgetting the sacrifices in lives of American youths in the world war and the widespread sentiment for memorials for the hero dead has cooled, not so with James F. Barnett of this city.
Like most communities, Scotland County talked much of erecting a memorial for the war dead. Barnett was one of the most enthusiastic. He planned, with his fellow townsmen, a suitable testimonial to the valor of the county's sons. But his co-workers deserted him one by one until Barnett soon found himself a committee of one.
HE IS BUILDING MEMORIAL ALONE.
But Barnett could not forget that his son had given his all, so decided to undertake the erection of a memorial alone. With his own hands he laid the foundation on his farm, seven miles northwest of Rutledge. He is using his own funds and in a short time he hopes to have the memorial to his son and his twenty-two comrades, who lost their lives, complete.
The Barnett memorial will cost about $2,000. In addition Barnett, who is president of Scotland County Good Roads Club, has given four acres of land surrounding the memorial to be used as a public park. He hopes to have a community house erected in the park when the estate is finally settled.
FLAG TO FLY AT TOP.
The foundation of the memorial is nine feet six inches in the ground and fourteen feet long by seven feet wide. On top of the pyramided bases a flag pole thirty feet high will fly the Stars and Stripes.
Burnett says he will have a man take care of the memorial and raise and lower the flag each day. A trough, seven feet long and a foot wide, has been built at one end of the foundation in which flowers are to be planted next spring.
Barnett's son, who was the proprietor of the Happy Hunting Grounds kennels before the war, is buried in the Odd Fellows' cemetery ar Port Royal, Ky. Barnett has just completed setting up a $3.000 monument at the grave.
