He went by his middle name, Harry. Though he didn't go by Elijah, it is a name that has been carried on in this Barnes family for more than 200 years-such as his grandfather, Elijah Hicks Barnes (1845-1933) and his gr. gr. grandfather, Elijah Barnes (1777-1845). The name continues today with Harry's great-grandson, Robert Elijah Barnes, who is the grandson of Harry's son, Robert "Bob" Dennis Barnes.
Harry Barnes was the 5th of 8 children, born August 13, 1902 in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Harry's daughter Polly stated that her father once showed her the house where he was born, and that the house no longer exists and was located within the city limits of Mount Hope. Since birth certificates were not required in Kansas at that time, the following listing in the August 22, 1902 edition of the Mount Hope Mentor newspaper would likely be the only official mention of his birth, "We have for report the arrival of boys at the homes of Al Mahaney on Aug. 8, Clarence Greenfield on Aug. 11, G. R. Barnes on Aug. 13, and Harry Kelly on Aug. 18." Harry's parents were George Richard Barnes (1870-1944) born in Livingston County, Missouri, and Rosie Emma (Kincaid) Barnes (1873-1944) born in Grant County, Indiana.
The George Barnes family was frequently on the move. Soon after Harry was born in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas on August 13, 1902, a September 1902 issue of their newspaper explains that George was closing his restaurant and meat market and moving to the new country, which, in this case, meant Colorado. Harry told many years later, "I was crossing the Monarch Pass in Colorado when I was 6 months old." But the newspaper article reveals that Harry was on the move in a horse-drawn wagon at about the age of only 1 month. Who knows when they went over the Monarch Pass, but there can be snow on that pass in June. Their destination was Montrose County, Colorado which is about 640 miles from Mount Hope, Kansas.
The eight children of George and Rosie Barnes;
1. William "Bill" Henry Barnes (1891-1972)
2. Benjamin Floyd Barnes (1894-1986)
3. Georgia "Georgie" Isabell Barnes (1896-1985)
4. Ray Morrell Barnes (1900-1957)
5. Elijah Harry Barnes (1902-1973)
6. Eugene Clarence Barnes (1905-1986)
7. Daisy Rose Barnes (1908-1989)
8. Ernest Wilson Barnes (1915-1975)
Harry was exposed to hard work at an early age. He said that bumps on the inside of his forearms were broken muscles caused by too much hard farm work as a young boy. All the grand kids noticed the bumps and asked if they hurt to which he replied no. I (Harry's grandson Larry) have never seen anyone with bumps like these on their forearms-ever. In 2012, I saw former neighbor (a former house framer) Bill Sloan for the first time in 30 or 40 years. We both quickly mentioned my dad and grandpa and about the first thing Bill mentioned was the bumps grandpa (Harry) had on his forearms.
Harry said he attended school through the 8th grade. While living on Horsefly Mesa in Colorado as a boy, Harry said they attended school just 3 months of the year because of the long winters and heavy snow. Harry said he briefly attended Martinson Elementary School when his family lived at 429 N. Vine Street in Wichita, a house Harry had pointed out to his son, Gene. Wichita Public School records show a Harry Barnes attending the 4th grade at Martinson School in 1913. The teacher listed was Mrs. Hadley. A Wichita newspaper search shows Mrs. Arminta "Mintie" Hadley (1869-1956) was one of the original teachers at Martinson Elementary School. A search did not find the names of any of Harry's brothers or sisters attending Martinson School. The 1913 Wichita Directory shows G. R. Barnes (wife Emma) residing at 421 N. Vine Street instead of 429, but their family moved frequently, so they could have lived at both addresses. We just don't know. In 2011, the owner of the house at 421 N. Vine felt that it was not built until the 1930's. The owner of the house located at 429 N. Vine said his house was built prior to the 1900's for a son of the Enoch Dodge family, once owners of that entire section of land, whose 1887 Victorian family home stands today at 1406 W. 2nd Street in Wichita. The George Barnes family lived on Vine Street in Wichita for just a short period of time, as they are not found in the 1911 or 1913 Wichita directories.
About 1918 or 1919, when Harry was 16 or 17 years old and living in the Montrose, Colorado area, he said he went with David Cairns on a prospecting trip. David was the father of W. O. "Bill" Cairns, husband of Harry's sister, Georgia, known as "Georgie." David was searching for the location of where he had once found an ore sample of such high grade he said the railroad stated they would build a spur right up to the site. This was an area called Squaw Hill, across the Black Canyon, near an Indian burial ground. It was here they came upon what Harry said was a ruby bed, right on the surface of the ground, the size of a washtub. They chipped off a sample of it, but were later told that it was of little or no value. It is unknown where it was taken or who did the analysis. Note that Ellen Alger, daughter of Bill Cairns, the son of David, said that her father was once employed as an assayer. Many years later, Harry's son, Gene, as well as others, asked Harry to try and find the location again, but he was never able to attempt it. Harry told this story many times. Did he tell the story to relive his interesting and unique adventure? Had he always questioned the analysis of the sample, feeling that a second opinion may have found it to be valuable? Then again, stories of lost treasure have a mystery and allure that is all their own.
Note: In about 2000, I spoke on the phone to Roy Cairns about the "ruby bed" story. Roy is a son of Bill and Georgie Barnes Cairns. Roy said he'd heard of the story, but left it at that, and seemed a bit suspicious of why I'd be asking about this story, as if I was planning on going out to Colorado and try to find that exact spot. But, for that matter, what if I was planning such a thing? What would be the harm? But anyway, I was just trying to get further details of this story. (Larry E. Barnes)
The 1920 Census shows the George Barnes family farming in Troy Township in Reno County, Kansas. Troy township is located southwest of Hutchinson, about halfway between the towns of Hutchinson and Kingman, Kansas. Harry, age 18, was with the family.
George R. Barnes and family, including Harry, can be next found in Arkansas. A document showing George's father (Elijah Hicks Barnes) selling a small property near Valley Springs in Boone County, Arkansas to George for $1.00. It is a family story told by some that George Barnes and his sons were working there at a saw mill. A photo shows Harry's brother, Ray, working behind two mules with the caption, "Ray Barnes, sawmill in Arkansas."
Family stories say that Harry either rode a mule or walked from Rodney, Arkansas to Mountain Home, Arkansas to get a marriage license, a distance of over 36 miles round trip. He filed for the license on August 7, 1924 with Mary's brother Garland "Pete" Hall as a witness.
Harry Barnes (age 23) was married to Mary Ellen Hall (age 19) on August 9, 1924 in Rodney, Baxter County, Arkansas by Justice of Peace M. L. Woodcock. Pete Hall and Mary's uncle Austin Williams were present as witnesses. Mary was the oldest child of Hervey G. Hall (1885-1973) and Elsie Jane (Williams) Hall (1887-1952), both born in Arkansas. Harry and Mary's first child, Elnora Faye, is said to have been born in Valley Springs, Boone County, Arkansas.
Ellen (Cairns) Alger said when she was a child, Harry would play a guitar and sing for her and her brothers when they lived in Colorado. She said Harry also played the harmonica. Note that from about 1928 to 1932 Harry and his family farmed near Riverside, Colorado, living in a small 2-story house about 500 yards away from his sister and brother-in-law Georgie and W. O. "Bill" Cairns. In 1999, son Gene, wife Vada and son Larry visited these houses. Harry and Mary's home can be seen from the Cairn's home across a farm field.
Harry and Mary Barnes had children Elnora Faye Barnes (1926-1993), Gene Harry Barnes (1928-2007), Margie Marie Barnes, Mary Pauline "Polly" Barnes and Robert Dennis "Bob" Barnes. Harry was known to his kids as Pop.
In the 1930's there were still farmers using horses instead of a tractor. So was Harry, with horses named Buck and Tuffy.
The Great Depression caused the price of farm products to fall drastically, so far in fact, that when Harry brought a load of his produce to market he received so little money that he didn't see how they could afford to continue to farm. So on their daughter Margie's birthday in 1933 they left their farm in Colorado, headed for Oklahoma.
From 1933 to 1938, Harry, Mary and family lived in Pauls Valley, Garvin County, Oklahoma. This was no doubt because Mary's parents and many other of their family lived there, having moved from north-central Arkansas where they'd lived for several generations. In May 1938 Harry's paperwork for Social Security shows that he'd been employed by Burch Lumber Company since April.
In days gone by, especially during the Great Depression, many people made some of their own items that they couldn't afford to buy. Before most homes had electricity, son Gene recalled how his dad made an ice box out of wood, in which a block of ice is used to keep the food items cool. Gene also said when he was young, his dad made a coat for him, using a sewing machine.
Harry mentioned he saw the car Bonnie and Clyde were in when they were killed. It was on a flatbed railroad car in Oklahoma not long after they were killed in 1934. In 1993, Harry's grandson, Larry, saw the same car in
Nevada.
In 1938, Harry and family left Pauls Valley going to Eufaula, McIntosh County, Oklahoma where Harry built a house during the spring and summer of that year.
Upon completing that house, Harry and family moved to Wichita where Harry worked as a carpenter for R. H. Owens finishing the interiors of new two-bedroom houses where his only power tool was a table saw. Working by himself, Harry was expected to finish one house a week and was paid 44 cents an hour. Harry was on the run between the table saw and the house. Owen's son was soon sent to work with Harry, but Owen now wanted two houses completed per week. After a short time, Harry told Owen that his son was not qualified. Harry quit that job and went to work as a finish carpenter for Herb Gogswell Construction where his first assignment was at the offices of Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. Harry received a framed award (dated October 16, 1942), an Austin Merit Award, from The Austin Company "for his contribution to America's war effort through all-out cooperation in speeding completion of the Boeing Airplane Company's plant in Kansas." Also with Cogswell, Harry worked on the construction of the building located on the n.w. corner of Harry and Hydraulic Streets in Wichita. Years later, his daughter Elnora would work at a grocery store located in this same building. In 2015, this building still stands.
In Wichita, Harry and his son, Gene, formed a construction business and called it, "E. H. Barnes & Son Construction Company." They built houses, housing additions, and did various types of remodel work on local small businesses. One of their largest and most recognizable projects was "Toc's Coffehouse" located on the northwest corner of Harry Street and (1519 S.) George Washington Boulevard in Wichita, and was connected to the other "King's-X" restaurants, started by Jimmie King. They built the 3,770 sq. ft. Toc's building from the ground up, built on the same location of a restaurant they tore down called "Poor Richards." Harry's granddaughters Dianne and Gail had worked at Poor Richards. Amazingly, Toc's operated as a restaurant under the same name and location from 1967 to 2011, about 45 years. Another restaurant opened in the old Toc's Coffehouse building in 2012 under the name "Jimmie's Diner."
Harry's son, Bob, said that his dad and Gene built the Lawrence Lumber Company buildings located at 200 North Osage Street. As of 2015, the buildings are still standing and "E. H. Barnes 1955" can still be read on the side walks and drive-way curbing in front of the old Lawrence Lumber Company buildings. Harry and Gene formed a close relationship with Charles E. "Ewing" Lawrence, President of Lawrence Lumber Company, and continued to buy most of their building materials there for many years, probably until it closed. I (Larry) remember stopping in the office at Lawrence Lumber on Osage Street with my dad and Mike. Ewing was very friendly and would make sure we had a bottle of pop.
Harry, as well as Gene, spoke of one day when police officer Vern Miller commandeered Harry's truck, requesting that Harry quickly drive him a short distance. Harry agreed and Vern didn't bother to get in he just stepped on the running board and hung on. Vern was a famed and popular lawman of the Wichita and Kansas area. In fact, Vern was later a Deputy Sheriff of Sedgwick County, 2-time Sedgwick County Marshall, 3-time Sedgwick County Sheriff and 2-time Attorney General of Kansas. As Attorney General, he participated in arrests and drug raids himself. Vern was narrowly defeated (less than 1/2%) in 1974 for Governor of Kansas. Yes, a book was written about him, "Vern Miller, Legendary Kansas Lawman," by Mike Danford, 2009.
In 1960, Harry, son Gene, and others, built a home on a large corner lot for Harry and his family at 3526 West Central Street in Wichita. The 3 bedroom, one-story ranch style home has a partial basement, attached 2-car garage, and a garage in the back yard that was used as a shop and tool storage area. The exterior of the house is buff colored brick about half-way up with over-lapped wood siding above. The home's entrance faces west to Westridge Street yet the address was on Central Avenue. As you enter this house you come into a living room with two doorways. The doorway on the right takes you either sharp left into the kitchen, or straight ahead to bedrooms and a bathroom down the hall to the south. The other living room doorway is just another opening to the kitchen-dining room which is on the east side of the house. A family room was on the north side of the kitchen with a fireplace on the east side of the family room. Harry and Mary generally kept a large garden there located on the east side of the property that you could see through the kitchen window right over the sink. They always planted a lot of corn. Harry and Bob would use a push plow on this garden. Bob was the last child left at home, so plowing the garden with this old manual plow was one of his responsibilities. August 13th was Harry and Gene's birthdays, many times celebrated at Harry and Mary's home on Central Street with hand-cranked, homemade vanilla ice cream, watermelon and muskmelon. In the warmer months we would stop by on a weekend to also help mow their lawn. It was a lot of yard to mow with a push mower.
Harry died on August 15, 1973. He had blocked arteries and was in need of a heart bypass surgery, but that procedure was not available to him at that time. His funeral was held at the Culbertson Mortuary Chapel at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 1973. The service was conducted by the Rev. Paul Irwin of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wichita. The organist was Joan Weigant and the vocalist was Mrs. Jane (Poole) Simmons, both from St. Luke's Methodist Church. The song was "In The Garden." A lengthy procession of cars followed the hearse to Wichita Park Cemetery. The casket bearers were George Reeves (owner of Reeves Welding), Milan Simpson, Harold Mills (owner of Southwest Salvage), Howard Morris, Jimmy Morris and Rex Lee (co-owner of Lawrence Lumber Company). Following the funeral, a large number of family and friends gathered at Harry and Mary's home on West Central. All of Harry's living brothers attended, Floyd, Clarence and Ernest; Bernice Barnes, widow of Harry's brother Ray; Pete and Sadie Hall; and Harry's first cousin, Roy Barnes of Bloom, Ford County, Kansas.
On August 9, 2008, a Barnes family reunion was held at Osage Park along 31st Street in south Wichita. Though not planned that way, it was also the 84th Wedding Anniversary of E. Harry and Mary (Hall) Barnes. Their daughter, Polly, and son, Bob, attended along with Bernice (Hough) Barnes and Pat Rackie-Peterson, widow and daughter of Harry's brother, Ray M. Barnes. It was a big turn-out with nearly all of the grandchildren and many of the gr. grandchildren of Harry and Mary Barnes in attendance.
Harry Barnes was the 5th of 8 children, born August 13, 1902 in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Harry's daughter Polly stated that her father once showed her the house where he was born, and that the house no longer exists and was located within the city limits of Mount Hope. Since birth certificates were not required in Kansas at that time, the following listing in the August 22, 1902 edition of the Mount Hope Mentor newspaper would likely be the only official mention of his birth, "We have for report the arrival of boys at the homes of Al Mahaney on Aug. 8, Clarence Greenfield on Aug. 11, G. R. Barnes on Aug. 13, and Harry Kelly on Aug. 18." Harry's parents were George Richard Barnes (1870-1944) born in Livingston County, Missouri, and Rosie Emma (Kincaid) Barnes (1873-1944) born in Grant County, Indiana.
The George Barnes family was frequently on the move. Soon after Harry was born in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas on August 13, 1902, a September 1902 issue of their newspaper explains that George was closing his restaurant and meat market and moving to the new country, which, in this case, meant Colorado. Harry told many years later, "I was crossing the Monarch Pass in Colorado when I was 6 months old." But the newspaper article reveals that Harry was on the move in a horse-drawn wagon at about the age of only 1 month. Who knows when they went over the Monarch Pass, but there can be snow on that pass in June. Their destination was Montrose County, Colorado which is about 640 miles from Mount Hope, Kansas.
The eight children of George and Rosie Barnes;
1. William "Bill" Henry Barnes (1891-1972)
2. Benjamin Floyd Barnes (1894-1986)
3. Georgia "Georgie" Isabell Barnes (1896-1985)
4. Ray Morrell Barnes (1900-1957)
5. Elijah Harry Barnes (1902-1973)
6. Eugene Clarence Barnes (1905-1986)
7. Daisy Rose Barnes (1908-1989)
8. Ernest Wilson Barnes (1915-1975)
Harry was exposed to hard work at an early age. He said that bumps on the inside of his forearms were broken muscles caused by too much hard farm work as a young boy. All the grand kids noticed the bumps and asked if they hurt to which he replied no. I (Harry's grandson Larry) have never seen anyone with bumps like these on their forearms-ever. In 2012, I saw former neighbor (a former house framer) Bill Sloan for the first time in 30 or 40 years. We both quickly mentioned my dad and grandpa and about the first thing Bill mentioned was the bumps grandpa (Harry) had on his forearms.
Harry said he attended school through the 8th grade. While living on Horsefly Mesa in Colorado as a boy, Harry said they attended school just 3 months of the year because of the long winters and heavy snow. Harry said he briefly attended Martinson Elementary School when his family lived at 429 N. Vine Street in Wichita, a house Harry had pointed out to his son, Gene. Wichita Public School records show a Harry Barnes attending the 4th grade at Martinson School in 1913. The teacher listed was Mrs. Hadley. A Wichita newspaper search shows Mrs. Arminta "Mintie" Hadley (1869-1956) was one of the original teachers at Martinson Elementary School. A search did not find the names of any of Harry's brothers or sisters attending Martinson School. The 1913 Wichita Directory shows G. R. Barnes (wife Emma) residing at 421 N. Vine Street instead of 429, but their family moved frequently, so they could have lived at both addresses. We just don't know. In 2011, the owner of the house at 421 N. Vine felt that it was not built until the 1930's. The owner of the house located at 429 N. Vine said his house was built prior to the 1900's for a son of the Enoch Dodge family, once owners of that entire section of land, whose 1887 Victorian family home stands today at 1406 W. 2nd Street in Wichita. The George Barnes family lived on Vine Street in Wichita for just a short period of time, as they are not found in the 1911 or 1913 Wichita directories.
About 1918 or 1919, when Harry was 16 or 17 years old and living in the Montrose, Colorado area, he said he went with David Cairns on a prospecting trip. David was the father of W. O. "Bill" Cairns, husband of Harry's sister, Georgia, known as "Georgie." David was searching for the location of where he had once found an ore sample of such high grade he said the railroad stated they would build a spur right up to the site. This was an area called Squaw Hill, across the Black Canyon, near an Indian burial ground. It was here they came upon what Harry said was a ruby bed, right on the surface of the ground, the size of a washtub. They chipped off a sample of it, but were later told that it was of little or no value. It is unknown where it was taken or who did the analysis. Note that Ellen Alger, daughter of Bill Cairns, the son of David, said that her father was once employed as an assayer. Many years later, Harry's son, Gene, as well as others, asked Harry to try and find the location again, but he was never able to attempt it. Harry told this story many times. Did he tell the story to relive his interesting and unique adventure? Had he always questioned the analysis of the sample, feeling that a second opinion may have found it to be valuable? Then again, stories of lost treasure have a mystery and allure that is all their own.
Note: In about 2000, I spoke on the phone to Roy Cairns about the "ruby bed" story. Roy is a son of Bill and Georgie Barnes Cairns. Roy said he'd heard of the story, but left it at that, and seemed a bit suspicious of why I'd be asking about this story, as if I was planning on going out to Colorado and try to find that exact spot. But, for that matter, what if I was planning such a thing? What would be the harm? But anyway, I was just trying to get further details of this story. (Larry E. Barnes)
The 1920 Census shows the George Barnes family farming in Troy Township in Reno County, Kansas. Troy township is located southwest of Hutchinson, about halfway between the towns of Hutchinson and Kingman, Kansas. Harry, age 18, was with the family.
George R. Barnes and family, including Harry, can be next found in Arkansas. A document showing George's father (Elijah Hicks Barnes) selling a small property near Valley Springs in Boone County, Arkansas to George for $1.00. It is a family story told by some that George Barnes and his sons were working there at a saw mill. A photo shows Harry's brother, Ray, working behind two mules with the caption, "Ray Barnes, sawmill in Arkansas."
Family stories say that Harry either rode a mule or walked from Rodney, Arkansas to Mountain Home, Arkansas to get a marriage license, a distance of over 36 miles round trip. He filed for the license on August 7, 1924 with Mary's brother Garland "Pete" Hall as a witness.
Harry Barnes (age 23) was married to Mary Ellen Hall (age 19) on August 9, 1924 in Rodney, Baxter County, Arkansas by Justice of Peace M. L. Woodcock. Pete Hall and Mary's uncle Austin Williams were present as witnesses. Mary was the oldest child of Hervey G. Hall (1885-1973) and Elsie Jane (Williams) Hall (1887-1952), both born in Arkansas. Harry and Mary's first child, Elnora Faye, is said to have been born in Valley Springs, Boone County, Arkansas.
Ellen (Cairns) Alger said when she was a child, Harry would play a guitar and sing for her and her brothers when they lived in Colorado. She said Harry also played the harmonica. Note that from about 1928 to 1932 Harry and his family farmed near Riverside, Colorado, living in a small 2-story house about 500 yards away from his sister and brother-in-law Georgie and W. O. "Bill" Cairns. In 1999, son Gene, wife Vada and son Larry visited these houses. Harry and Mary's home can be seen from the Cairn's home across a farm field.
Harry and Mary Barnes had children Elnora Faye Barnes (1926-1993), Gene Harry Barnes (1928-2007), Margie Marie Barnes, Mary Pauline "Polly" Barnes and Robert Dennis "Bob" Barnes. Harry was known to his kids as Pop.
In the 1930's there were still farmers using horses instead of a tractor. So was Harry, with horses named Buck and Tuffy.
The Great Depression caused the price of farm products to fall drastically, so far in fact, that when Harry brought a load of his produce to market he received so little money that he didn't see how they could afford to continue to farm. So on their daughter Margie's birthday in 1933 they left their farm in Colorado, headed for Oklahoma.
From 1933 to 1938, Harry, Mary and family lived in Pauls Valley, Garvin County, Oklahoma. This was no doubt because Mary's parents and many other of their family lived there, having moved from north-central Arkansas where they'd lived for several generations. In May 1938 Harry's paperwork for Social Security shows that he'd been employed by Burch Lumber Company since April.
In days gone by, especially during the Great Depression, many people made some of their own items that they couldn't afford to buy. Before most homes had electricity, son Gene recalled how his dad made an ice box out of wood, in which a block of ice is used to keep the food items cool. Gene also said when he was young, his dad made a coat for him, using a sewing machine.
Harry mentioned he saw the car Bonnie and Clyde were in when they were killed. It was on a flatbed railroad car in Oklahoma not long after they were killed in 1934. In 1993, Harry's grandson, Larry, saw the same car in
Nevada.
In 1938, Harry and family left Pauls Valley going to Eufaula, McIntosh County, Oklahoma where Harry built a house during the spring and summer of that year.
Upon completing that house, Harry and family moved to Wichita where Harry worked as a carpenter for R. H. Owens finishing the interiors of new two-bedroom houses where his only power tool was a table saw. Working by himself, Harry was expected to finish one house a week and was paid 44 cents an hour. Harry was on the run between the table saw and the house. Owen's son was soon sent to work with Harry, but Owen now wanted two houses completed per week. After a short time, Harry told Owen that his son was not qualified. Harry quit that job and went to work as a finish carpenter for Herb Gogswell Construction where his first assignment was at the offices of Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. Harry received a framed award (dated October 16, 1942), an Austin Merit Award, from The Austin Company "for his contribution to America's war effort through all-out cooperation in speeding completion of the Boeing Airplane Company's plant in Kansas." Also with Cogswell, Harry worked on the construction of the building located on the n.w. corner of Harry and Hydraulic Streets in Wichita. Years later, his daughter Elnora would work at a grocery store located in this same building. In 2015, this building still stands.
In Wichita, Harry and his son, Gene, formed a construction business and called it, "E. H. Barnes & Son Construction Company." They built houses, housing additions, and did various types of remodel work on local small businesses. One of their largest and most recognizable projects was "Toc's Coffehouse" located on the northwest corner of Harry Street and (1519 S.) George Washington Boulevard in Wichita, and was connected to the other "King's-X" restaurants, started by Jimmie King. They built the 3,770 sq. ft. Toc's building from the ground up, built on the same location of a restaurant they tore down called "Poor Richards." Harry's granddaughters Dianne and Gail had worked at Poor Richards. Amazingly, Toc's operated as a restaurant under the same name and location from 1967 to 2011, about 45 years. Another restaurant opened in the old Toc's Coffehouse building in 2012 under the name "Jimmie's Diner."
Harry's son, Bob, said that his dad and Gene built the Lawrence Lumber Company buildings located at 200 North Osage Street. As of 2015, the buildings are still standing and "E. H. Barnes 1955" can still be read on the side walks and drive-way curbing in front of the old Lawrence Lumber Company buildings. Harry and Gene formed a close relationship with Charles E. "Ewing" Lawrence, President of Lawrence Lumber Company, and continued to buy most of their building materials there for many years, probably until it closed. I (Larry) remember stopping in the office at Lawrence Lumber on Osage Street with my dad and Mike. Ewing was very friendly and would make sure we had a bottle of pop.
Harry, as well as Gene, spoke of one day when police officer Vern Miller commandeered Harry's truck, requesting that Harry quickly drive him a short distance. Harry agreed and Vern didn't bother to get in he just stepped on the running board and hung on. Vern was a famed and popular lawman of the Wichita and Kansas area. In fact, Vern was later a Deputy Sheriff of Sedgwick County, 2-time Sedgwick County Marshall, 3-time Sedgwick County Sheriff and 2-time Attorney General of Kansas. As Attorney General, he participated in arrests and drug raids himself. Vern was narrowly defeated (less than 1/2%) in 1974 for Governor of Kansas. Yes, a book was written about him, "Vern Miller, Legendary Kansas Lawman," by Mike Danford, 2009.
In 1960, Harry, son Gene, and others, built a home on a large corner lot for Harry and his family at 3526 West Central Street in Wichita. The 3 bedroom, one-story ranch style home has a partial basement, attached 2-car garage, and a garage in the back yard that was used as a shop and tool storage area. The exterior of the house is buff colored brick about half-way up with over-lapped wood siding above. The home's entrance faces west to Westridge Street yet the address was on Central Avenue. As you enter this house you come into a living room with two doorways. The doorway on the right takes you either sharp left into the kitchen, or straight ahead to bedrooms and a bathroom down the hall to the south. The other living room doorway is just another opening to the kitchen-dining room which is on the east side of the house. A family room was on the north side of the kitchen with a fireplace on the east side of the family room. Harry and Mary generally kept a large garden there located on the east side of the property that you could see through the kitchen window right over the sink. They always planted a lot of corn. Harry and Bob would use a push plow on this garden. Bob was the last child left at home, so plowing the garden with this old manual plow was one of his responsibilities. August 13th was Harry and Gene's birthdays, many times celebrated at Harry and Mary's home on Central Street with hand-cranked, homemade vanilla ice cream, watermelon and muskmelon. In the warmer months we would stop by on a weekend to also help mow their lawn. It was a lot of yard to mow with a push mower.
Harry died on August 15, 1973. He had blocked arteries and was in need of a heart bypass surgery, but that procedure was not available to him at that time. His funeral was held at the Culbertson Mortuary Chapel at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 1973. The service was conducted by the Rev. Paul Irwin of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wichita. The organist was Joan Weigant and the vocalist was Mrs. Jane (Poole) Simmons, both from St. Luke's Methodist Church. The song was "In The Garden." A lengthy procession of cars followed the hearse to Wichita Park Cemetery. The casket bearers were George Reeves (owner of Reeves Welding), Milan Simpson, Harold Mills (owner of Southwest Salvage), Howard Morris, Jimmy Morris and Rex Lee (co-owner of Lawrence Lumber Company). Following the funeral, a large number of family and friends gathered at Harry and Mary's home on West Central. All of Harry's living brothers attended, Floyd, Clarence and Ernest; Bernice Barnes, widow of Harry's brother Ray; Pete and Sadie Hall; and Harry's first cousin, Roy Barnes of Bloom, Ford County, Kansas.
On August 9, 2008, a Barnes family reunion was held at Osage Park along 31st Street in south Wichita. Though not planned that way, it was also the 84th Wedding Anniversary of E. Harry and Mary (Hall) Barnes. Their daughter, Polly, and son, Bob, attended along with Bernice (Hough) Barnes and Pat Rackie-Peterson, widow and daughter of Harry's brother, Ray M. Barnes. It was a big turn-out with nearly all of the grandchildren and many of the gr. grandchildren of Harry and Mary Barnes in attendance.
He went by his middle name, Harry. Though he didn't go by Elijah, it is a name that has been carried on in this Barnes family for more than 200 years-such as his grandfather, Elijah Hicks Barnes (1845-1933) and his gr. gr. grandfather, Elijah Barnes (1777-1845). The name continues today with Harry's great-grandson, Robert Elijah Barnes, who is the grandson of Harry's son, Robert "Bob" Dennis Barnes.
Harry Barnes was the 5th of 8 children, born August 13, 1902 in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Harry's daughter Polly stated that her father once showed her the house where he was born, and that the house no longer exists and was located within the city limits of Mount Hope. Since birth certificates were not required in Kansas at that time, the following listing in the August 22, 1902 edition of the Mount Hope Mentor newspaper would likely be the only official mention of his birth, "We have for report the arrival of boys at the homes of Al Mahaney on Aug. 8, Clarence Greenfield on Aug. 11, G. R. Barnes on Aug. 13, and Harry Kelly on Aug. 18." Harry's parents were George Richard Barnes (1870-1944) born in Livingston County, Missouri, and Rosie Emma (Kincaid) Barnes (1873-1944) born in Grant County, Indiana.
The George Barnes family was frequently on the move. Soon after Harry was born in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas on August 13, 1902, a September 1902 issue of their newspaper explains that George was closing his restaurant and meat market and moving to the new country, which, in this case, meant Colorado. Harry told many years later, "I was crossing the Monarch Pass in Colorado when I was 6 months old." But the newspaper article reveals that Harry was on the move in a horse-drawn wagon at about the age of only 1 month. Who knows when they went over the Monarch Pass, but there can be snow on that pass in June. Their destination was Montrose County, Colorado which is about 640 miles from Mount Hope, Kansas.
The eight children of George and Rosie Barnes;
1. William "Bill" Henry Barnes (1891-1972)
2. Benjamin Floyd Barnes (1894-1986)
3. Georgia "Georgie" Isabell Barnes (1896-1985)
4. Ray Morrell Barnes (1900-1957)
5. Elijah Harry Barnes (1902-1973)
6. Eugene Clarence Barnes (1905-1986)
7. Daisy Rose Barnes (1908-1989)
8. Ernest Wilson Barnes (1915-1975)
Harry was exposed to hard work at an early age. He said that bumps on the inside of his forearms were broken muscles caused by too much hard farm work as a young boy. All the grand kids noticed the bumps and asked if they hurt to which he replied no. I (Harry's grandson Larry) have never seen anyone with bumps like these on their forearms-ever. In 2012, I saw former neighbor (a former house framer) Bill Sloan for the first time in 30 or 40 years. We both quickly mentioned my dad and grandpa and about the first thing Bill mentioned was the bumps grandpa (Harry) had on his forearms.
Harry said he attended school through the 8th grade. While living on Horsefly Mesa in Colorado as a boy, Harry said they attended school just 3 months of the year because of the long winters and heavy snow. Harry said he briefly attended Martinson Elementary School when his family lived at 429 N. Vine Street in Wichita, a house Harry had pointed out to his son, Gene. Wichita Public School records show a Harry Barnes attending the 4th grade at Martinson School in 1913. The teacher listed was Mrs. Hadley. A Wichita newspaper search shows Mrs. Arminta "Mintie" Hadley (1869-1956) was one of the original teachers at Martinson Elementary School. A search did not find the names of any of Harry's brothers or sisters attending Martinson School. The 1913 Wichita Directory shows G. R. Barnes (wife Emma) residing at 421 N. Vine Street instead of 429, but their family moved frequently, so they could have lived at both addresses. We just don't know. In 2011, the owner of the house at 421 N. Vine felt that it was not built until the 1930's. The owner of the house located at 429 N. Vine said his house was built prior to the 1900's for a son of the Enoch Dodge family, once owners of that entire section of land, whose 1887 Victorian family home stands today at 1406 W. 2nd Street in Wichita. The George Barnes family lived on Vine Street in Wichita for just a short period of time, as they are not found in the 1911 or 1913 Wichita directories.
About 1918 or 1919, when Harry was 16 or 17 years old and living in the Montrose, Colorado area, he said he went with David Cairns on a prospecting trip. David was the father of W. O. "Bill" Cairns, husband of Harry's sister, Georgia, known as "Georgie." David was searching for the location of where he had once found an ore sample of such high grade he said the railroad stated they would build a spur right up to the site. This was an area called Squaw Hill, across the Black Canyon, near an Indian burial ground. It was here they came upon what Harry said was a ruby bed, right on the surface of the ground, the size of a washtub. They chipped off a sample of it, but were later told that it was of little or no value. It is unknown where it was taken or who did the analysis. Note that Ellen Alger, daughter of Bill Cairns, the son of David, said that her father was once employed as an assayer. Many years later, Harry's son, Gene, as well as others, asked Harry to try and find the location again, but he was never able to attempt it. Harry told this story many times. Did he tell the story to relive his interesting and unique adventure? Had he always questioned the analysis of the sample, feeling that a second opinion may have found it to be valuable? Then again, stories of lost treasure have a mystery and allure that is all their own.
Note: In about 2000, I spoke on the phone to Roy Cairns about the "ruby bed" story. Roy is a son of Bill and Georgie Barnes Cairns. Roy said he'd heard of the story, but left it at that, and seemed a bit suspicious of why I'd be asking about this story, as if I was planning on going out to Colorado and try to find that exact spot. But, for that matter, what if I was planning such a thing? What would be the harm? But anyway, I was just trying to get further details of this story. (Larry E. Barnes)
The 1920 Census shows the George Barnes family farming in Troy Township in Reno County, Kansas. Troy township is located southwest of Hutchinson, about halfway between the towns of Hutchinson and Kingman, Kansas. Harry, age 18, was with the family.
George R. Barnes and family, including Harry, can be next found in Arkansas. A document showing George's father (Elijah Hicks Barnes) selling a small property near Valley Springs in Boone County, Arkansas to George for $1.00. It is a family story told by some that George Barnes and his sons were working there at a saw mill. A photo shows Harry's brother, Ray, working behind two mules with the caption, "Ray Barnes, sawmill in Arkansas."
Family stories say that Harry either rode a mule or walked from Rodney, Arkansas to Mountain Home, Arkansas to get a marriage license, a distance of over 36 miles round trip. He filed for the license on August 7, 1924 with Mary's brother Garland "Pete" Hall as a witness.
Harry Barnes (age 23) was married to Mary Ellen Hall (age 19) on August 9, 1924 in Rodney, Baxter County, Arkansas by Justice of Peace M. L. Woodcock. Pete Hall and Mary's uncle Austin Williams were present as witnesses. Mary was the oldest child of Hervey G. Hall (1885-1973) and Elsie Jane (Williams) Hall (1887-1952), both born in Arkansas. Harry and Mary's first child, Elnora Faye, is said to have been born in Valley Springs, Boone County, Arkansas.
Ellen (Cairns) Alger said when she was a child, Harry would play a guitar and sing for her and her brothers when they lived in Colorado. She said Harry also played the harmonica. Note that from about 1928 to 1932 Harry and his family farmed near Riverside, Colorado, living in a small 2-story house about 500 yards away from his sister and brother-in-law Georgie and W. O. "Bill" Cairns. In 1999, son Gene, wife Vada and son Larry visited these houses. Harry and Mary's home can be seen from the Cairn's home across a farm field.
Harry and Mary Barnes had children Elnora Faye Barnes (1926-1993), Gene Harry Barnes (1928-2007), Margie Marie Barnes, Mary Pauline "Polly" Barnes and Robert Dennis "Bob" Barnes. Harry was known to his kids as Pop.
In the 1930's there were still farmers using horses instead of a tractor. So was Harry, with horses named Buck and Tuffy.
The Great Depression caused the price of farm products to fall drastically, so far in fact, that when Harry brought a load of his produce to market he received so little money that he didn't see how they could afford to continue to farm. So on their daughter Margie's birthday in 1933 they left their farm in Colorado, headed for Oklahoma.
From 1933 to 1938, Harry, Mary and family lived in Pauls Valley, Garvin County, Oklahoma. This was no doubt because Mary's parents and many other of their family lived there, having moved from north-central Arkansas where they'd lived for several generations. In May 1938 Harry's paperwork for Social Security shows that he'd been employed by Burch Lumber Company since April.
In days gone by, especially during the Great Depression, many people made some of their own items that they couldn't afford to buy. Before most homes had electricity, son Gene recalled how his dad made an ice box out of wood, in which a block of ice is used to keep the food items cool. Gene also said when he was young, his dad made a coat for him, using a sewing machine.
Harry mentioned he saw the car Bonnie and Clyde were in when they were killed. It was on a flatbed railroad car in Oklahoma not long after they were killed in 1934. In 1993, Harry's grandson, Larry, saw the same car in
Nevada.
In 1938, Harry and family left Pauls Valley going to Eufaula, McIntosh County, Oklahoma where Harry built a house during the spring and summer of that year.
Upon completing that house, Harry and family moved to Wichita where Harry worked as a carpenter for R. H. Owens finishing the interiors of new two-bedroom houses where his only power tool was a table saw. Working by himself, Harry was expected to finish one house a week and was paid 44 cents an hour. Harry was on the run between the table saw and the house. Owen's son was soon sent to work with Harry, but Owen now wanted two houses completed per week. After a short time, Harry told Owen that his son was not qualified. Harry quit that job and went to work as a finish carpenter for Herb Gogswell Construction where his first assignment was at the offices of Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. Harry received a framed award (dated October 16, 1942), an Austin Merit Award, from The Austin Company "for his contribution to America's war effort through all-out cooperation in speeding completion of the Boeing Airplane Company's plant in Kansas." Also with Cogswell, Harry worked on the construction of the building located on the n.w. corner of Harry and Hydraulic Streets in Wichita. Years later, his daughter Elnora would work at a grocery store located in this same building. In 2015, this building still stands.
In Wichita, Harry and his son, Gene, formed a construction business and called it, "E. H. Barnes & Son Construction Company." They built houses, housing additions, and did various types of remodel work on local small businesses. One of their largest and most recognizable projects was "Toc's Coffehouse" located on the northwest corner of Harry Street and (1519 S.) George Washington Boulevard in Wichita, and was connected to the other "King's-X" restaurants, started by Jimmie King. They built the 3,770 sq. ft. Toc's building from the ground up, built on the same location of a restaurant they tore down called "Poor Richards." Harry's granddaughters Dianne and Gail had worked at Poor Richards. Amazingly, Toc's operated as a restaurant under the same name and location from 1967 to 2011, about 45 years. Another restaurant opened in the old Toc's Coffehouse building in 2012 under the name "Jimmie's Diner."
Harry's son, Bob, said that his dad and Gene built the Lawrence Lumber Company buildings located at 200 North Osage Street. As of 2015, the buildings are still standing and "E. H. Barnes 1955" can still be read on the side walks and drive-way curbing in front of the old Lawrence Lumber Company buildings. Harry and Gene formed a close relationship with Charles E. "Ewing" Lawrence, President of Lawrence Lumber Company, and continued to buy most of their building materials there for many years, probably until it closed. I (Larry) remember stopping in the office at Lawrence Lumber on Osage Street with my dad and Mike. Ewing was very friendly and would make sure we had a bottle of pop.
Harry, as well as Gene, spoke of one day when police officer Vern Miller commandeered Harry's truck, requesting that Harry quickly drive him a short distance. Harry agreed and Vern didn't bother to get in he just stepped on the running board and hung on. Vern was a famed and popular lawman of the Wichita and Kansas area. In fact, Vern was later a Deputy Sheriff of Sedgwick County, 2-time Sedgwick County Marshall, 3-time Sedgwick County Sheriff and 2-time Attorney General of Kansas. As Attorney General, he participated in arrests and drug raids himself. Vern was narrowly defeated (less than 1/2%) in 1974 for Governor of Kansas. Yes, a book was written about him, "Vern Miller, Legendary Kansas Lawman," by Mike Danford, 2009.
In 1960, Harry, son Gene, and others, built a home on a large corner lot for Harry and his family at 3526 West Central Street in Wichita. The 3 bedroom, one-story ranch style home has a partial basement, attached 2-car garage, and a garage in the back yard that was used as a shop and tool storage area. The exterior of the house is buff colored brick about half-way up with over-lapped wood siding above. The home's entrance faces west to Westridge Street yet the address was on Central Avenue. As you enter this house you come into a living room with two doorways. The doorway on the right takes you either sharp left into the kitchen, or straight ahead to bedrooms and a bathroom down the hall to the south. The other living room doorway is just another opening to the kitchen-dining room which is on the east side of the house. A family room was on the north side of the kitchen with a fireplace on the east side of the family room. Harry and Mary generally kept a large garden there located on the east side of the property that you could see through the kitchen window right over the sink. They always planted a lot of corn. Harry and Bob would use a push plow on this garden. Bob was the last child left at home, so plowing the garden with this old manual plow was one of his responsibilities. August 13th was Harry and Gene's birthdays, many times celebrated at Harry and Mary's home on Central Street with hand-cranked, homemade vanilla ice cream, watermelon and muskmelon. In the warmer months we would stop by on a weekend to also help mow their lawn. It was a lot of yard to mow with a push mower.
Harry died on August 15, 1973. He had blocked arteries and was in need of a heart bypass surgery, but that procedure was not available to him at that time. His funeral was held at the Culbertson Mortuary Chapel at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 1973. The service was conducted by the Rev. Paul Irwin of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wichita. The organist was Joan Weigant and the vocalist was Mrs. Jane (Poole) Simmons, both from St. Luke's Methodist Church. The song was "In The Garden." A lengthy procession of cars followed the hearse to Wichita Park Cemetery. The casket bearers were George Reeves (owner of Reeves Welding), Milan Simpson, Harold Mills (owner of Southwest Salvage), Howard Morris, Jimmy Morris and Rex Lee (co-owner of Lawrence Lumber Company). Following the funeral, a large number of family and friends gathered at Harry and Mary's home on West Central. All of Harry's living brothers attended, Floyd, Clarence and Ernest; Bernice Barnes, widow of Harry's brother Ray; Pete and Sadie Hall; and Harry's first cousin, Roy Barnes of Bloom, Ford County, Kansas.
On August 9, 2008, a Barnes family reunion was held at Osage Park along 31st Street in south Wichita. Though not planned that way, it was also the 84th Wedding Anniversary of E. Harry and Mary (Hall) Barnes. Their daughter, Polly, and son, Bob, attended along with Bernice (Hough) Barnes and Pat Rackie-Peterson, widow and daughter of Harry's brother, Ray M. Barnes. It was a big turn-out with nearly all of the grandchildren and many of the gr. grandchildren of Harry and Mary Barnes in attendance.
Harry Barnes was the 5th of 8 children, born August 13, 1902 in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas. Harry's daughter Polly stated that her father once showed her the house where he was born, and that the house no longer exists and was located within the city limits of Mount Hope. Since birth certificates were not required in Kansas at that time, the following listing in the August 22, 1902 edition of the Mount Hope Mentor newspaper would likely be the only official mention of his birth, "We have for report the arrival of boys at the homes of Al Mahaney on Aug. 8, Clarence Greenfield on Aug. 11, G. R. Barnes on Aug. 13, and Harry Kelly on Aug. 18." Harry's parents were George Richard Barnes (1870-1944) born in Livingston County, Missouri, and Rosie Emma (Kincaid) Barnes (1873-1944) born in Grant County, Indiana.
The George Barnes family was frequently on the move. Soon after Harry was born in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas on August 13, 1902, a September 1902 issue of their newspaper explains that George was closing his restaurant and meat market and moving to the new country, which, in this case, meant Colorado. Harry told many years later, "I was crossing the Monarch Pass in Colorado when I was 6 months old." But the newspaper article reveals that Harry was on the move in a horse-drawn wagon at about the age of only 1 month. Who knows when they went over the Monarch Pass, but there can be snow on that pass in June. Their destination was Montrose County, Colorado which is about 640 miles from Mount Hope, Kansas.
The eight children of George and Rosie Barnes;
1. William "Bill" Henry Barnes (1891-1972)
2. Benjamin Floyd Barnes (1894-1986)
3. Georgia "Georgie" Isabell Barnes (1896-1985)
4. Ray Morrell Barnes (1900-1957)
5. Elijah Harry Barnes (1902-1973)
6. Eugene Clarence Barnes (1905-1986)
7. Daisy Rose Barnes (1908-1989)
8. Ernest Wilson Barnes (1915-1975)
Harry was exposed to hard work at an early age. He said that bumps on the inside of his forearms were broken muscles caused by too much hard farm work as a young boy. All the grand kids noticed the bumps and asked if they hurt to which he replied no. I (Harry's grandson Larry) have never seen anyone with bumps like these on their forearms-ever. In 2012, I saw former neighbor (a former house framer) Bill Sloan for the first time in 30 or 40 years. We both quickly mentioned my dad and grandpa and about the first thing Bill mentioned was the bumps grandpa (Harry) had on his forearms.
Harry said he attended school through the 8th grade. While living on Horsefly Mesa in Colorado as a boy, Harry said they attended school just 3 months of the year because of the long winters and heavy snow. Harry said he briefly attended Martinson Elementary School when his family lived at 429 N. Vine Street in Wichita, a house Harry had pointed out to his son, Gene. Wichita Public School records show a Harry Barnes attending the 4th grade at Martinson School in 1913. The teacher listed was Mrs. Hadley. A Wichita newspaper search shows Mrs. Arminta "Mintie" Hadley (1869-1956) was one of the original teachers at Martinson Elementary School. A search did not find the names of any of Harry's brothers or sisters attending Martinson School. The 1913 Wichita Directory shows G. R. Barnes (wife Emma) residing at 421 N. Vine Street instead of 429, but their family moved frequently, so they could have lived at both addresses. We just don't know. In 2011, the owner of the house at 421 N. Vine felt that it was not built until the 1930's. The owner of the house located at 429 N. Vine said his house was built prior to the 1900's for a son of the Enoch Dodge family, once owners of that entire section of land, whose 1887 Victorian family home stands today at 1406 W. 2nd Street in Wichita. The George Barnes family lived on Vine Street in Wichita for just a short period of time, as they are not found in the 1911 or 1913 Wichita directories.
About 1918 or 1919, when Harry was 16 or 17 years old and living in the Montrose, Colorado area, he said he went with David Cairns on a prospecting trip. David was the father of W. O. "Bill" Cairns, husband of Harry's sister, Georgia, known as "Georgie." David was searching for the location of where he had once found an ore sample of such high grade he said the railroad stated they would build a spur right up to the site. This was an area called Squaw Hill, across the Black Canyon, near an Indian burial ground. It was here they came upon what Harry said was a ruby bed, right on the surface of the ground, the size of a washtub. They chipped off a sample of it, but were later told that it was of little or no value. It is unknown where it was taken or who did the analysis. Note that Ellen Alger, daughter of Bill Cairns, the son of David, said that her father was once employed as an assayer. Many years later, Harry's son, Gene, as well as others, asked Harry to try and find the location again, but he was never able to attempt it. Harry told this story many times. Did he tell the story to relive his interesting and unique adventure? Had he always questioned the analysis of the sample, feeling that a second opinion may have found it to be valuable? Then again, stories of lost treasure have a mystery and allure that is all their own.
Note: In about 2000, I spoke on the phone to Roy Cairns about the "ruby bed" story. Roy is a son of Bill and Georgie Barnes Cairns. Roy said he'd heard of the story, but left it at that, and seemed a bit suspicious of why I'd be asking about this story, as if I was planning on going out to Colorado and try to find that exact spot. But, for that matter, what if I was planning such a thing? What would be the harm? But anyway, I was just trying to get further details of this story. (Larry E. Barnes)
The 1920 Census shows the George Barnes family farming in Troy Township in Reno County, Kansas. Troy township is located southwest of Hutchinson, about halfway between the towns of Hutchinson and Kingman, Kansas. Harry, age 18, was with the family.
George R. Barnes and family, including Harry, can be next found in Arkansas. A document showing George's father (Elijah Hicks Barnes) selling a small property near Valley Springs in Boone County, Arkansas to George for $1.00. It is a family story told by some that George Barnes and his sons were working there at a saw mill. A photo shows Harry's brother, Ray, working behind two mules with the caption, "Ray Barnes, sawmill in Arkansas."
Family stories say that Harry either rode a mule or walked from Rodney, Arkansas to Mountain Home, Arkansas to get a marriage license, a distance of over 36 miles round trip. He filed for the license on August 7, 1924 with Mary's brother Garland "Pete" Hall as a witness.
Harry Barnes (age 23) was married to Mary Ellen Hall (age 19) on August 9, 1924 in Rodney, Baxter County, Arkansas by Justice of Peace M. L. Woodcock. Pete Hall and Mary's uncle Austin Williams were present as witnesses. Mary was the oldest child of Hervey G. Hall (1885-1973) and Elsie Jane (Williams) Hall (1887-1952), both born in Arkansas. Harry and Mary's first child, Elnora Faye, is said to have been born in Valley Springs, Boone County, Arkansas.
Ellen (Cairns) Alger said when she was a child, Harry would play a guitar and sing for her and her brothers when they lived in Colorado. She said Harry also played the harmonica. Note that from about 1928 to 1932 Harry and his family farmed near Riverside, Colorado, living in a small 2-story house about 500 yards away from his sister and brother-in-law Georgie and W. O. "Bill" Cairns. In 1999, son Gene, wife Vada and son Larry visited these houses. Harry and Mary's home can be seen from the Cairn's home across a farm field.
Harry and Mary Barnes had children Elnora Faye Barnes (1926-1993), Gene Harry Barnes (1928-2007), Margie Marie Barnes, Mary Pauline "Polly" Barnes and Robert Dennis "Bob" Barnes. Harry was known to his kids as Pop.
In the 1930's there were still farmers using horses instead of a tractor. So was Harry, with horses named Buck and Tuffy.
The Great Depression caused the price of farm products to fall drastically, so far in fact, that when Harry brought a load of his produce to market he received so little money that he didn't see how they could afford to continue to farm. So on their daughter Margie's birthday in 1933 they left their farm in Colorado, headed for Oklahoma.
From 1933 to 1938, Harry, Mary and family lived in Pauls Valley, Garvin County, Oklahoma. This was no doubt because Mary's parents and many other of their family lived there, having moved from north-central Arkansas where they'd lived for several generations. In May 1938 Harry's paperwork for Social Security shows that he'd been employed by Burch Lumber Company since April.
In days gone by, especially during the Great Depression, many people made some of their own items that they couldn't afford to buy. Before most homes had electricity, son Gene recalled how his dad made an ice box out of wood, in which a block of ice is used to keep the food items cool. Gene also said when he was young, his dad made a coat for him, using a sewing machine.
Harry mentioned he saw the car Bonnie and Clyde were in when they were killed. It was on a flatbed railroad car in Oklahoma not long after they were killed in 1934. In 1993, Harry's grandson, Larry, saw the same car in
Nevada.
In 1938, Harry and family left Pauls Valley going to Eufaula, McIntosh County, Oklahoma where Harry built a house during the spring and summer of that year.
Upon completing that house, Harry and family moved to Wichita where Harry worked as a carpenter for R. H. Owens finishing the interiors of new two-bedroom houses where his only power tool was a table saw. Working by himself, Harry was expected to finish one house a week and was paid 44 cents an hour. Harry was on the run between the table saw and the house. Owen's son was soon sent to work with Harry, but Owen now wanted two houses completed per week. After a short time, Harry told Owen that his son was not qualified. Harry quit that job and went to work as a finish carpenter for Herb Gogswell Construction where his first assignment was at the offices of Boeing Aircraft in Wichita. Harry received a framed award (dated October 16, 1942), an Austin Merit Award, from The Austin Company "for his contribution to America's war effort through all-out cooperation in speeding completion of the Boeing Airplane Company's plant in Kansas." Also with Cogswell, Harry worked on the construction of the building located on the n.w. corner of Harry and Hydraulic Streets in Wichita. Years later, his daughter Elnora would work at a grocery store located in this same building. In 2015, this building still stands.
In Wichita, Harry and his son, Gene, formed a construction business and called it, "E. H. Barnes & Son Construction Company." They built houses, housing additions, and did various types of remodel work on local small businesses. One of their largest and most recognizable projects was "Toc's Coffehouse" located on the northwest corner of Harry Street and (1519 S.) George Washington Boulevard in Wichita, and was connected to the other "King's-X" restaurants, started by Jimmie King. They built the 3,770 sq. ft. Toc's building from the ground up, built on the same location of a restaurant they tore down called "Poor Richards." Harry's granddaughters Dianne and Gail had worked at Poor Richards. Amazingly, Toc's operated as a restaurant under the same name and location from 1967 to 2011, about 45 years. Another restaurant opened in the old Toc's Coffehouse building in 2012 under the name "Jimmie's Diner."
Harry's son, Bob, said that his dad and Gene built the Lawrence Lumber Company buildings located at 200 North Osage Street. As of 2015, the buildings are still standing and "E. H. Barnes 1955" can still be read on the side walks and drive-way curbing in front of the old Lawrence Lumber Company buildings. Harry and Gene formed a close relationship with Charles E. "Ewing" Lawrence, President of Lawrence Lumber Company, and continued to buy most of their building materials there for many years, probably until it closed. I (Larry) remember stopping in the office at Lawrence Lumber on Osage Street with my dad and Mike. Ewing was very friendly and would make sure we had a bottle of pop.
Harry, as well as Gene, spoke of one day when police officer Vern Miller commandeered Harry's truck, requesting that Harry quickly drive him a short distance. Harry agreed and Vern didn't bother to get in he just stepped on the running board and hung on. Vern was a famed and popular lawman of the Wichita and Kansas area. In fact, Vern was later a Deputy Sheriff of Sedgwick County, 2-time Sedgwick County Marshall, 3-time Sedgwick County Sheriff and 2-time Attorney General of Kansas. As Attorney General, he participated in arrests and drug raids himself. Vern was narrowly defeated (less than 1/2%) in 1974 for Governor of Kansas. Yes, a book was written about him, "Vern Miller, Legendary Kansas Lawman," by Mike Danford, 2009.
In 1960, Harry, son Gene, and others, built a home on a large corner lot for Harry and his family at 3526 West Central Street in Wichita. The 3 bedroom, one-story ranch style home has a partial basement, attached 2-car garage, and a garage in the back yard that was used as a shop and tool storage area. The exterior of the house is buff colored brick about half-way up with over-lapped wood siding above. The home's entrance faces west to Westridge Street yet the address was on Central Avenue. As you enter this house you come into a living room with two doorways. The doorway on the right takes you either sharp left into the kitchen, or straight ahead to bedrooms and a bathroom down the hall to the south. The other living room doorway is just another opening to the kitchen-dining room which is on the east side of the house. A family room was on the north side of the kitchen with a fireplace on the east side of the family room. Harry and Mary generally kept a large garden there located on the east side of the property that you could see through the kitchen window right over the sink. They always planted a lot of corn. Harry and Bob would use a push plow on this garden. Bob was the last child left at home, so plowing the garden with this old manual plow was one of his responsibilities. August 13th was Harry and Gene's birthdays, many times celebrated at Harry and Mary's home on Central Street with hand-cranked, homemade vanilla ice cream, watermelon and muskmelon. In the warmer months we would stop by on a weekend to also help mow their lawn. It was a lot of yard to mow with a push mower.
Harry died on August 15, 1973. He had blocked arteries and was in need of a heart bypass surgery, but that procedure was not available to him at that time. His funeral was held at the Culbertson Mortuary Chapel at 10:00 a.m., Saturday, August 18, 1973. The service was conducted by the Rev. Paul Irwin of Trinity United Methodist Church in Wichita. The organist was Joan Weigant and the vocalist was Mrs. Jane (Poole) Simmons, both from St. Luke's Methodist Church. The song was "In The Garden." A lengthy procession of cars followed the hearse to Wichita Park Cemetery. The casket bearers were George Reeves (owner of Reeves Welding), Milan Simpson, Harold Mills (owner of Southwest Salvage), Howard Morris, Jimmy Morris and Rex Lee (co-owner of Lawrence Lumber Company). Following the funeral, a large number of family and friends gathered at Harry and Mary's home on West Central. All of Harry's living brothers attended, Floyd, Clarence and Ernest; Bernice Barnes, widow of Harry's brother Ray; Pete and Sadie Hall; and Harry's first cousin, Roy Barnes of Bloom, Ford County, Kansas.
On August 9, 2008, a Barnes family reunion was held at Osage Park along 31st Street in south Wichita. Though not planned that way, it was also the 84th Wedding Anniversary of E. Harry and Mary (Hall) Barnes. Their daughter, Polly, and son, Bob, attended along with Bernice (Hough) Barnes and Pat Rackie-Peterson, widow and daughter of Harry's brother, Ray M. Barnes. It was a big turn-out with nearly all of the grandchildren and many of the gr. grandchildren of Harry and Mary Barnes in attendance.
Family Members
Siblings
