Suggested Edit: Children: Mattie Barrs Alley 1900 - 1927
Mollie L Barrs Alley 1901 - 1963
Jesse B Barrs 1903 - 1968
Ernest F Barrs 1906 - 1961
Charles L Barrs 1908 - 1965
Contributor: Peggy Ables Hardy / Greatgrandaughter - [email protected]
DELAND SUN NEWS
THE DELAND SUN NEWS, DELAND, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3, 1941
SHOT RIDDLED BODY OF AGED WOMAN FOUND NEAR DELAND
MYSTERY SURROUNDS DEATH MRS. IDA BARRS; SHERIFF THINKS IT IS POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT
A coroner's jury reconvened here at 1:30 o'clock this after- noon to continue it's investigation into the shooting death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year old South Spring Garden Ave., resident whose shot riddled body was found at daybreak this morning in a wooded sector almost two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
Investigating officers expressed the opinion that Mrs. Barrs died as a result of an accidental shooting by some hunter who believed he was shooting at a squirrel. At the time of the death . . . four feet from an old seldom used woods road in corridors ideal for hunting.
Following a preliminary examination, Dr. M. H. Naff reported death clearly resulted from shot wounds, estimating that approx-imately 35 or more shot entered the arms, neck and chest. He said
there was no evidence of a criminal attack. He added that a complete autopsy would be performed this afternoon.
LAST SEEN YESTERDAY
A son-in-law with whom Mrs. Barrs lived, told officers that she was in the habit of gathering moss daily and had left home early yesterday morning with two dogs. She returned shortly before noon and left one dog at the house. She then went back to the woods with the smaller dog and that was the last time she was seen by any member of the family.
The son-in-law, Charles Alley, said the family had started searching for Mrs. Barrs shortly before 7 o'clock last night after the dog had returned to the house alone. He said she customarily
returned home about 5 o'clock.
Her absence was reported to Deputy Joe Shadburn about 10 o'clock last night, but because of the darkness a search at that hour seemed inadvisable.
FOUND AT DAYBREAK
Early this morning at daybreak, Alley said that he, his wife, and daughter drove their car down this seldom used road which they knew was in the area where she generally gathered moss. The body
(Continued on Page Two) [Page Two not copied, my mistake /H/]
'FESS UP
An aged woman had been slain. Her body riddled by . . . .about two and a half miles southwest of DeLand, in a wooded sector.
We say "slain" advisedly. A preliminary examination by law enforcement officials, the county judge, a physician and newspaper men indicated that it was entirely possible that it was an accident.
A horrible thing, but an accident nevertheless. An accident in which the study of human nature made all concerned incline to the belief that it may have been some boy of 'teen age', slipping along a desolate road who did the deed.
Some youngster out for an afternoon of sport walking along an old woods road. Oak trees lined the route. He slipped quietly along looking for a squirrell. It was near dusk. A sudden movement, a fleeting glimpse, and a shot. What was thought to have been a suirrel turned out to be an unfortunate human.
Frightened, the lad fled from the scene.
That's the picture gathered this morning.
If that be true then some youngster, down deep in his conscience, has the death of a fellow human engraved on his soul. If the facts were as outlined above then he could not have helped it. Perhaps he might have been more careful, but even veteran hunters have shot at shaking bushes, a fleeting image, only to learn to their regret that they have shot a fellow human.
Will this person carry this hideous thing on his conscience the rest of his life to haunt him in his waking hours, to make him toss wildly in his bed as he attempts to sleep? If it was an
accident the person responsible therefor will feel it even more keenly than if some murderer at heart had done it intentionally.
If it was some boy who fired the fata charge without any intention of murder it will not be difficult for him to prove it. He will find a sympathetic sheriff, a sympathetic press, a
sympathetic public.
They will mourn with him in his hour of misery even as they mourn with the family of the aged, unfortunate woman who was so tragically shot down.
To clear his soul in the years to come he should go to the sheriff's office and bare the facts. Punishment, if any, would be mild in comparison to suffering through a life-time of haunted fear.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 4, 1941 (Thursday)
MYSTERY STILL SHROUDS DEATH OF MRS. BARRS
The sheriff's office today pushed its investigation into the fatal shotgun shooting of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old S. Spring Garden resident, in an effort to uncover new evidence for presentation at another session of the coroner's jury Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
After hearing evidence of a minimum nature yesterday at the inquest conducted by County Judge John E. Peacock as coroner, the jury recessed until tomorrow, hoping that in the meantime Officers
would be able to uncover additional facts.
In Circuit court today in connection with the case of Early Christmas Benett, Sheriff S E Stone said that other deputies were continuing the search for the person when it is believed "accidentally" shot Mrs. Barrs while hunting in the woods about two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
FUNERAL FRIDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Barrs will be conducted in the chapel of the Allen-Summerhill funeral home Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock with the Rev. Mr. Harris, pastor of the Church of God, Sanford, as the officiating minister.
Pallbearers will be: A.V. Smith, Roy Levett, Ed A. Levett and S. D. Clifton.
Born in Columbus county, South Carolina, Mrs. Barrs had been living in the vicinity of DeLand a little more than a month. She is survived by her husband, E. D. Barrs; three sons, Ernest, Charles and Jess Barrs of Hollywood; and one daughter, Mrs. C.C. Alley of DeLand.
Testifying at the inquest yesterday were officers, Mrs. Alley, Charles C. Alley, a son-in-law, Miss Annie B. Alley, a grand-daughter, and Dr. M. H. Naff, county physician.
SHOT IN HEART
Dr. Naff told the jury that from 25 to 40 shot entered the body, most of them lodging in the chest and stomach with one passing through her arm and another lodging in her heart. Dr. Naff declared that there was (Continued on Page Two)
(Continued from Page One - NOTE: . . . indicates where the paper has been folded and the print is very blurry and mostly unreadable /H/)
no evidence of other violence or criminal assault. He added that . . . not . . .could not have . . . more than 30 minutes.
Miss Alley, the only member of the family at home during the afternoon, said she heard only one shot and that coming about 5:30 o'clock from the vicinity in which her grandmother was picking moss
from a row of large oak trees.
Leading facts brought out by witnesses were: Mrs. Barrs was shot probably with Mo.(?) : chilied(?)[fired?] at a distance of 40 to 60 feet: the killer probably used a 16-guage shotgun as a new 16-guage shell was found about 25 yeards from the body: she had been dead between 13 and 15 hours when found at daybreak yesterday.
Mrs. Barrs was last seen about noon Tuesday when she left her house for the woods abouta mile away where she was gathering moss.
---
DeLand Sun News
December 5, 1941 (Friday)
JURY CONVENES FOR INQUIRY INTO DEATH
An inquest into the death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old south DeLand resident whose body was discovered riddled with gunshot pieces in the woods near S. Spring Garden Ave., Wednesday morning
was to be resumed this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by County Judge J. P. Peacock and his corner's jury.
The sheriff's office reported this morning that it was still active and several leads had been chased down, but that nothing of concrete value had been uncovered.
Funeral services were held this morning in the Allen-Summerhill funeral home chapel with the Rev. Paul Taylor, pastor of the Zellwood Church of God officiating.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 6, 1941 (Saturday)
NO NEW FACTS IN BARRS CASE
Another recess in the hearing of testimony in the shotgun death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old South Spring Garden Avenue resident, was declared by a coroner's Jury yesterday until such a time as officers have additional evidence to submit.
No testimony was heard yesterday, but officers said today that "several angles are being looked into." although nothing of a conclusive nature as to the identity of the slayer had been
uncovered. They still held to the theory of "accidental shooting" by some careless hunter who believed he was firing at a squirrel when Mrs. Barrs was shot behind a moss-covered limb while gathering moss last Tuesday afternoon.
Her shot-riddled body was found Wednesday morning.
(Debbie Doolittle Family Tree)
Mollie L Barrs Alley 1901 - 1963
Jesse B Barrs 1903 - 1968
Ernest F Barrs 1906 - 1961
Charles L Barrs 1908 - 1965
Contributor: Peggy Ables Hardy / Greatgrandaughter - [email protected]
DELAND SUN NEWS
THE DELAND SUN NEWS, DELAND, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3, 1941
SHOT RIDDLED BODY OF AGED WOMAN FOUND NEAR DELAND
MYSTERY SURROUNDS DEATH MRS. IDA BARRS; SHERIFF THINKS IT IS POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT
A coroner's jury reconvened here at 1:30 o'clock this after- noon to continue it's investigation into the shooting death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year old South Spring Garden Ave., resident whose shot riddled body was found at daybreak this morning in a wooded sector almost two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
Investigating officers expressed the opinion that Mrs. Barrs died as a result of an accidental shooting by some hunter who believed he was shooting at a squirrel. At the time of the death . . . four feet from an old seldom used woods road in corridors ideal for hunting.
Following a preliminary examination, Dr. M. H. Naff reported death clearly resulted from shot wounds, estimating that approx-imately 35 or more shot entered the arms, neck and chest. He said
there was no evidence of a criminal attack. He added that a complete autopsy would be performed this afternoon.
LAST SEEN YESTERDAY
A son-in-law with whom Mrs. Barrs lived, told officers that she was in the habit of gathering moss daily and had left home early yesterday morning with two dogs. She returned shortly before noon and left one dog at the house. She then went back to the woods with the smaller dog and that was the last time she was seen by any member of the family.
The son-in-law, Charles Alley, said the family had started searching for Mrs. Barrs shortly before 7 o'clock last night after the dog had returned to the house alone. He said she customarily
returned home about 5 o'clock.
Her absence was reported to Deputy Joe Shadburn about 10 o'clock last night, but because of the darkness a search at that hour seemed inadvisable.
FOUND AT DAYBREAK
Early this morning at daybreak, Alley said that he, his wife, and daughter drove their car down this seldom used road which they knew was in the area where she generally gathered moss. The body
(Continued on Page Two) [Page Two not copied, my mistake /H/]
'FESS UP
An aged woman had been slain. Her body riddled by . . . .about two and a half miles southwest of DeLand, in a wooded sector.
We say "slain" advisedly. A preliminary examination by law enforcement officials, the county judge, a physician and newspaper men indicated that it was entirely possible that it was an accident.
A horrible thing, but an accident nevertheless. An accident in which the study of human nature made all concerned incline to the belief that it may have been some boy of 'teen age', slipping along a desolate road who did the deed.
Some youngster out for an afternoon of sport walking along an old woods road. Oak trees lined the route. He slipped quietly along looking for a squirrell. It was near dusk. A sudden movement, a fleeting glimpse, and a shot. What was thought to have been a suirrel turned out to be an unfortunate human.
Frightened, the lad fled from the scene.
That's the picture gathered this morning.
If that be true then some youngster, down deep in his conscience, has the death of a fellow human engraved on his soul. If the facts were as outlined above then he could not have helped it. Perhaps he might have been more careful, but even veteran hunters have shot at shaking bushes, a fleeting image, only to learn to their regret that they have shot a fellow human.
Will this person carry this hideous thing on his conscience the rest of his life to haunt him in his waking hours, to make him toss wildly in his bed as he attempts to sleep? If it was an
accident the person responsible therefor will feel it even more keenly than if some murderer at heart had done it intentionally.
If it was some boy who fired the fata charge without any intention of murder it will not be difficult for him to prove it. He will find a sympathetic sheriff, a sympathetic press, a
sympathetic public.
They will mourn with him in his hour of misery even as they mourn with the family of the aged, unfortunate woman who was so tragically shot down.
To clear his soul in the years to come he should go to the sheriff's office and bare the facts. Punishment, if any, would be mild in comparison to suffering through a life-time of haunted fear.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 4, 1941 (Thursday)
MYSTERY STILL SHROUDS DEATH OF MRS. BARRS
The sheriff's office today pushed its investigation into the fatal shotgun shooting of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old S. Spring Garden resident, in an effort to uncover new evidence for presentation at another session of the coroner's jury Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
After hearing evidence of a minimum nature yesterday at the inquest conducted by County Judge John E. Peacock as coroner, the jury recessed until tomorrow, hoping that in the meantime Officers
would be able to uncover additional facts.
In Circuit court today in connection with the case of Early Christmas Benett, Sheriff S E Stone said that other deputies were continuing the search for the person when it is believed "accidentally" shot Mrs. Barrs while hunting in the woods about two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
FUNERAL FRIDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Barrs will be conducted in the chapel of the Allen-Summerhill funeral home Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock with the Rev. Mr. Harris, pastor of the Church of God, Sanford, as the officiating minister.
Pallbearers will be: A.V. Smith, Roy Levett, Ed A. Levett and S. D. Clifton.
Born in Columbus county, South Carolina, Mrs. Barrs had been living in the vicinity of DeLand a little more than a month. She is survived by her husband, E. D. Barrs; three sons, Ernest, Charles and Jess Barrs of Hollywood; and one daughter, Mrs. C.C. Alley of DeLand.
Testifying at the inquest yesterday were officers, Mrs. Alley, Charles C. Alley, a son-in-law, Miss Annie B. Alley, a grand-daughter, and Dr. M. H. Naff, county physician.
SHOT IN HEART
Dr. Naff told the jury that from 25 to 40 shot entered the body, most of them lodging in the chest and stomach with one passing through her arm and another lodging in her heart. Dr. Naff declared that there was (Continued on Page Two)
(Continued from Page One - NOTE: . . . indicates where the paper has been folded and the print is very blurry and mostly unreadable /H/)
no evidence of other violence or criminal assault. He added that . . . not . . .could not have . . . more than 30 minutes.
Miss Alley, the only member of the family at home during the afternoon, said she heard only one shot and that coming about 5:30 o'clock from the vicinity in which her grandmother was picking moss
from a row of large oak trees.
Leading facts brought out by witnesses were: Mrs. Barrs was shot probably with Mo.(?) : chilied(?)[fired?] at a distance of 40 to 60 feet: the killer probably used a 16-guage shotgun as a new 16-guage shell was found about 25 yeards from the body: she had been dead between 13 and 15 hours when found at daybreak yesterday.
Mrs. Barrs was last seen about noon Tuesday when she left her house for the woods abouta mile away where she was gathering moss.
---
DeLand Sun News
December 5, 1941 (Friday)
JURY CONVENES FOR INQUIRY INTO DEATH
An inquest into the death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old south DeLand resident whose body was discovered riddled with gunshot pieces in the woods near S. Spring Garden Ave., Wednesday morning
was to be resumed this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by County Judge J. P. Peacock and his corner's jury.
The sheriff's office reported this morning that it was still active and several leads had been chased down, but that nothing of concrete value had been uncovered.
Funeral services were held this morning in the Allen-Summerhill funeral home chapel with the Rev. Paul Taylor, pastor of the Zellwood Church of God officiating.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 6, 1941 (Saturday)
NO NEW FACTS IN BARRS CASE
Another recess in the hearing of testimony in the shotgun death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old South Spring Garden Avenue resident, was declared by a coroner's Jury yesterday until such a time as officers have additional evidence to submit.
No testimony was heard yesterday, but officers said today that "several angles are being looked into." although nothing of a conclusive nature as to the identity of the slayer had been
uncovered. They still held to the theory of "accidental shooting" by some careless hunter who believed he was firing at a squirrel when Mrs. Barrs was shot behind a moss-covered limb while gathering moss last Tuesday afternoon.
Her shot-riddled body was found Wednesday morning.
(Debbie Doolittle Family Tree)
Suggested Edit: Children: Mattie Barrs Alley 1900 - 1927
Mollie L Barrs Alley 1901 - 1963
Jesse B Barrs 1903 - 1968
Ernest F Barrs 1906 - 1961
Charles L Barrs 1908 - 1965
Contributor: Peggy Ables Hardy / Greatgrandaughter - [email protected]
DELAND SUN NEWS
THE DELAND SUN NEWS, DELAND, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3, 1941
SHOT RIDDLED BODY OF AGED WOMAN FOUND NEAR DELAND
MYSTERY SURROUNDS DEATH MRS. IDA BARRS; SHERIFF THINKS IT IS POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT
A coroner's jury reconvened here at 1:30 o'clock this after- noon to continue it's investigation into the shooting death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year old South Spring Garden Ave., resident whose shot riddled body was found at daybreak this morning in a wooded sector almost two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
Investigating officers expressed the opinion that Mrs. Barrs died as a result of an accidental shooting by some hunter who believed he was shooting at a squirrel. At the time of the death . . . four feet from an old seldom used woods road in corridors ideal for hunting.
Following a preliminary examination, Dr. M. H. Naff reported death clearly resulted from shot wounds, estimating that approx-imately 35 or more shot entered the arms, neck and chest. He said
there was no evidence of a criminal attack. He added that a complete autopsy would be performed this afternoon.
LAST SEEN YESTERDAY
A son-in-law with whom Mrs. Barrs lived, told officers that she was in the habit of gathering moss daily and had left home early yesterday morning with two dogs. She returned shortly before noon and left one dog at the house. She then went back to the woods with the smaller dog and that was the last time she was seen by any member of the family.
The son-in-law, Charles Alley, said the family had started searching for Mrs. Barrs shortly before 7 o'clock last night after the dog had returned to the house alone. He said she customarily
returned home about 5 o'clock.
Her absence was reported to Deputy Joe Shadburn about 10 o'clock last night, but because of the darkness a search at that hour seemed inadvisable.
FOUND AT DAYBREAK
Early this morning at daybreak, Alley said that he, his wife, and daughter drove their car down this seldom used road which they knew was in the area where she generally gathered moss. The body
(Continued on Page Two) [Page Two not copied, my mistake /H/]
'FESS UP
An aged woman had been slain. Her body riddled by . . . .about two and a half miles southwest of DeLand, in a wooded sector.
We say "slain" advisedly. A preliminary examination by law enforcement officials, the county judge, a physician and newspaper men indicated that it was entirely possible that it was an accident.
A horrible thing, but an accident nevertheless. An accident in which the study of human nature made all concerned incline to the belief that it may have been some boy of 'teen age', slipping along a desolate road who did the deed.
Some youngster out for an afternoon of sport walking along an old woods road. Oak trees lined the route. He slipped quietly along looking for a squirrell. It was near dusk. A sudden movement, a fleeting glimpse, and a shot. What was thought to have been a suirrel turned out to be an unfortunate human.
Frightened, the lad fled from the scene.
That's the picture gathered this morning.
If that be true then some youngster, down deep in his conscience, has the death of a fellow human engraved on his soul. If the facts were as outlined above then he could not have helped it. Perhaps he might have been more careful, but even veteran hunters have shot at shaking bushes, a fleeting image, only to learn to their regret that they have shot a fellow human.
Will this person carry this hideous thing on his conscience the rest of his life to haunt him in his waking hours, to make him toss wildly in his bed as he attempts to sleep? If it was an
accident the person responsible therefor will feel it even more keenly than if some murderer at heart had done it intentionally.
If it was some boy who fired the fata charge without any intention of murder it will not be difficult for him to prove it. He will find a sympathetic sheriff, a sympathetic press, a
sympathetic public.
They will mourn with him in his hour of misery even as they mourn with the family of the aged, unfortunate woman who was so tragically shot down.
To clear his soul in the years to come he should go to the sheriff's office and bare the facts. Punishment, if any, would be mild in comparison to suffering through a life-time of haunted fear.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 4, 1941 (Thursday)
MYSTERY STILL SHROUDS DEATH OF MRS. BARRS
The sheriff's office today pushed its investigation into the fatal shotgun shooting of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old S. Spring Garden resident, in an effort to uncover new evidence for presentation at another session of the coroner's jury Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
After hearing evidence of a minimum nature yesterday at the inquest conducted by County Judge John E. Peacock as coroner, the jury recessed until tomorrow, hoping that in the meantime Officers
would be able to uncover additional facts.
In Circuit court today in connection with the case of Early Christmas Benett, Sheriff S E Stone said that other deputies were continuing the search for the person when it is believed "accidentally" shot Mrs. Barrs while hunting in the woods about two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
FUNERAL FRIDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Barrs will be conducted in the chapel of the Allen-Summerhill funeral home Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock with the Rev. Mr. Harris, pastor of the Church of God, Sanford, as the officiating minister.
Pallbearers will be: A.V. Smith, Roy Levett, Ed A. Levett and S. D. Clifton.
Born in Columbus county, South Carolina, Mrs. Barrs had been living in the vicinity of DeLand a little more than a month. She is survived by her husband, E. D. Barrs; three sons, Ernest, Charles and Jess Barrs of Hollywood; and one daughter, Mrs. C.C. Alley of DeLand.
Testifying at the inquest yesterday were officers, Mrs. Alley, Charles C. Alley, a son-in-law, Miss Annie B. Alley, a grand-daughter, and Dr. M. H. Naff, county physician.
SHOT IN HEART
Dr. Naff told the jury that from 25 to 40 shot entered the body, most of them lodging in the chest and stomach with one passing through her arm and another lodging in her heart. Dr. Naff declared that there was (Continued on Page Two)
(Continued from Page One - NOTE: . . . indicates where the paper has been folded and the print is very blurry and mostly unreadable /H/)
no evidence of other violence or criminal assault. He added that . . . not . . .could not have . . . more than 30 minutes.
Miss Alley, the only member of the family at home during the afternoon, said she heard only one shot and that coming about 5:30 o'clock from the vicinity in which her grandmother was picking moss
from a row of large oak trees.
Leading facts brought out by witnesses were: Mrs. Barrs was shot probably with Mo.(?) : chilied(?)[fired?] at a distance of 40 to 60 feet: the killer probably used a 16-guage shotgun as a new 16-guage shell was found about 25 yeards from the body: she had been dead between 13 and 15 hours when found at daybreak yesterday.
Mrs. Barrs was last seen about noon Tuesday when she left her house for the woods abouta mile away where she was gathering moss.
---
DeLand Sun News
December 5, 1941 (Friday)
JURY CONVENES FOR INQUIRY INTO DEATH
An inquest into the death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old south DeLand resident whose body was discovered riddled with gunshot pieces in the woods near S. Spring Garden Ave., Wednesday morning
was to be resumed this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by County Judge J. P. Peacock and his corner's jury.
The sheriff's office reported this morning that it was still active and several leads had been chased down, but that nothing of concrete value had been uncovered.
Funeral services were held this morning in the Allen-Summerhill funeral home chapel with the Rev. Paul Taylor, pastor of the Zellwood Church of God officiating.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 6, 1941 (Saturday)
NO NEW FACTS IN BARRS CASE
Another recess in the hearing of testimony in the shotgun death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old South Spring Garden Avenue resident, was declared by a coroner's Jury yesterday until such a time as officers have additional evidence to submit.
No testimony was heard yesterday, but officers said today that "several angles are being looked into." although nothing of a conclusive nature as to the identity of the slayer had been
uncovered. They still held to the theory of "accidental shooting" by some careless hunter who believed he was firing at a squirrel when Mrs. Barrs was shot behind a moss-covered limb while gathering moss last Tuesday afternoon.
Her shot-riddled body was found Wednesday morning.
(Debbie Doolittle Family Tree)
Mollie L Barrs Alley 1901 - 1963
Jesse B Barrs 1903 - 1968
Ernest F Barrs 1906 - 1961
Charles L Barrs 1908 - 1965
Contributor: Peggy Ables Hardy / Greatgrandaughter - [email protected]
DELAND SUN NEWS
THE DELAND SUN NEWS, DELAND, FLORIDA, WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 3, 1941
SHOT RIDDLED BODY OF AGED WOMAN FOUND NEAR DELAND
MYSTERY SURROUNDS DEATH MRS. IDA BARRS; SHERIFF THINKS IT IS POSSIBLY AN ACCIDENT
A coroner's jury reconvened here at 1:30 o'clock this after- noon to continue it's investigation into the shooting death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year old South Spring Garden Ave., resident whose shot riddled body was found at daybreak this morning in a wooded sector almost two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
Investigating officers expressed the opinion that Mrs. Barrs died as a result of an accidental shooting by some hunter who believed he was shooting at a squirrel. At the time of the death . . . four feet from an old seldom used woods road in corridors ideal for hunting.
Following a preliminary examination, Dr. M. H. Naff reported death clearly resulted from shot wounds, estimating that approx-imately 35 or more shot entered the arms, neck and chest. He said
there was no evidence of a criminal attack. He added that a complete autopsy would be performed this afternoon.
LAST SEEN YESTERDAY
A son-in-law with whom Mrs. Barrs lived, told officers that she was in the habit of gathering moss daily and had left home early yesterday morning with two dogs. She returned shortly before noon and left one dog at the house. She then went back to the woods with the smaller dog and that was the last time she was seen by any member of the family.
The son-in-law, Charles Alley, said the family had started searching for Mrs. Barrs shortly before 7 o'clock last night after the dog had returned to the house alone. He said she customarily
returned home about 5 o'clock.
Her absence was reported to Deputy Joe Shadburn about 10 o'clock last night, but because of the darkness a search at that hour seemed inadvisable.
FOUND AT DAYBREAK
Early this morning at daybreak, Alley said that he, his wife, and daughter drove their car down this seldom used road which they knew was in the area where she generally gathered moss. The body
(Continued on Page Two) [Page Two not copied, my mistake /H/]
'FESS UP
An aged woman had been slain. Her body riddled by . . . .about two and a half miles southwest of DeLand, in a wooded sector.
We say "slain" advisedly. A preliminary examination by law enforcement officials, the county judge, a physician and newspaper men indicated that it was entirely possible that it was an accident.
A horrible thing, but an accident nevertheless. An accident in which the study of human nature made all concerned incline to the belief that it may have been some boy of 'teen age', slipping along a desolate road who did the deed.
Some youngster out for an afternoon of sport walking along an old woods road. Oak trees lined the route. He slipped quietly along looking for a squirrell. It was near dusk. A sudden movement, a fleeting glimpse, and a shot. What was thought to have been a suirrel turned out to be an unfortunate human.
Frightened, the lad fled from the scene.
That's the picture gathered this morning.
If that be true then some youngster, down deep in his conscience, has the death of a fellow human engraved on his soul. If the facts were as outlined above then he could not have helped it. Perhaps he might have been more careful, but even veteran hunters have shot at shaking bushes, a fleeting image, only to learn to their regret that they have shot a fellow human.
Will this person carry this hideous thing on his conscience the rest of his life to haunt him in his waking hours, to make him toss wildly in his bed as he attempts to sleep? If it was an
accident the person responsible therefor will feel it even more keenly than if some murderer at heart had done it intentionally.
If it was some boy who fired the fata charge without any intention of murder it will not be difficult for him to prove it. He will find a sympathetic sheriff, a sympathetic press, a
sympathetic public.
They will mourn with him in his hour of misery even as they mourn with the family of the aged, unfortunate woman who was so tragically shot down.
To clear his soul in the years to come he should go to the sheriff's office and bare the facts. Punishment, if any, would be mild in comparison to suffering through a life-time of haunted fear.
- - - -
DeLand Sun News
December 4, 1941 (Thursday)
MYSTERY STILL SHROUDS DEATH OF MRS. BARRS
The sheriff's office today pushed its investigation into the fatal shotgun shooting of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old S. Spring Garden resident, in an effort to uncover new evidence for presentation at another session of the coroner's jury Friday afternoon at 1:30 o'clock.
After hearing evidence of a minimum nature yesterday at the inquest conducted by County Judge John E. Peacock as coroner, the jury recessed until tomorrow, hoping that in the meantime Officers
would be able to uncover additional facts.
In Circuit court today in connection with the case of Early Christmas Benett, Sheriff S E Stone said that other deputies were continuing the search for the person when it is believed "accidentally" shot Mrs. Barrs while hunting in the woods about two and one-half miles southwest of DeLand.
FUNERAL FRIDAY
Funeral services for Mrs. Barrs will be conducted in the chapel of the Allen-Summerhill funeral home Friday morning at 10:30 o'clock with the Rev. Mr. Harris, pastor of the Church of God, Sanford, as the officiating minister.
Pallbearers will be: A.V. Smith, Roy Levett, Ed A. Levett and S. D. Clifton.
Born in Columbus county, South Carolina, Mrs. Barrs had been living in the vicinity of DeLand a little more than a month. She is survived by her husband, E. D. Barrs; three sons, Ernest, Charles and Jess Barrs of Hollywood; and one daughter, Mrs. C.C. Alley of DeLand.
Testifying at the inquest yesterday were officers, Mrs. Alley, Charles C. Alley, a son-in-law, Miss Annie B. Alley, a grand-daughter, and Dr. M. H. Naff, county physician.
SHOT IN HEART
Dr. Naff told the jury that from 25 to 40 shot entered the body, most of them lodging in the chest and stomach with one passing through her arm and another lodging in her heart. Dr. Naff declared that there was (Continued on Page Two)
(Continued from Page One - NOTE: . . . indicates where the paper has been folded and the print is very blurry and mostly unreadable /H/)
no evidence of other violence or criminal assault. He added that . . . not . . .could not have . . . more than 30 minutes.
Miss Alley, the only member of the family at home during the afternoon, said she heard only one shot and that coming about 5:30 o'clock from the vicinity in which her grandmother was picking moss
from a row of large oak trees.
Leading facts brought out by witnesses were: Mrs. Barrs was shot probably with Mo.(?) : chilied(?)[fired?] at a distance of 40 to 60 feet: the killer probably used a 16-guage shotgun as a new 16-guage shell was found about 25 yeards from the body: she had been dead between 13 and 15 hours when found at daybreak yesterday.
Mrs. Barrs was last seen about noon Tuesday when she left her house for the woods abouta mile away where she was gathering moss.
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DeLand Sun News
December 5, 1941 (Friday)
JURY CONVENES FOR INQUIRY INTO DEATH
An inquest into the death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old south DeLand resident whose body was discovered riddled with gunshot pieces in the woods near S. Spring Garden Ave., Wednesday morning
was to be resumed this afternoon at 2:30 o'clock by County Judge J. P. Peacock and his corner's jury.
The sheriff's office reported this morning that it was still active and several leads had been chased down, but that nothing of concrete value had been uncovered.
Funeral services were held this morning in the Allen-Summerhill funeral home chapel with the Rev. Paul Taylor, pastor of the Zellwood Church of God officiating.
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DeLand Sun News
December 6, 1941 (Saturday)
NO NEW FACTS IN BARRS CASE
Another recess in the hearing of testimony in the shotgun death of Mrs. Ida Barrs, 66-year-old South Spring Garden Avenue resident, was declared by a coroner's Jury yesterday until such a time as officers have additional evidence to submit.
No testimony was heard yesterday, but officers said today that "several angles are being looked into." although nothing of a conclusive nature as to the identity of the slayer had been
uncovered. They still held to the theory of "accidental shooting" by some careless hunter who believed he was firing at a squirrel when Mrs. Barrs was shot behind a moss-covered limb while gathering moss last Tuesday afternoon.
Her shot-riddled body was found Wednesday morning.
(Debbie Doolittle Family Tree)
Gravesite Details
Obit does not give cemetery, her SIL is buried here
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