Shelby County, Missouri Obituary - BARTON, Elias & Elijah


Newspaper Clipping saved by Mae Barton Holland and found in her trunk
that had been in storage for over 50 years. (May 2001)
Date and name of newspaper unknown
An Awful Calamity.
     The residence of Mrs. Sarah Barton, about two miles southwest of
Maud in this county, burned last Friday night and her two unfortunate
boys Elijah and Elias, aged 43 years were consumed in it, they were
twins and without mind, but men in every other respect.  For 43 years
they have had the constant care of one of the best of mothers.  She had
been called to Moberly to see her daughter, Mrs. Archie Wood, who is
sick and with Mrs. Rebecca Barr, her sister had gotten there Friday
evening.  Andrew the son who runs the farm, and unmarried had put the
boys to bed, they always remained there until they were taken up in the
morning, and went a mile away to church at the Liberty school house,
before the meeting closed the light of the burning house was seen and
men hurried there but were too late to save the boys as the kitchen was
falling in.  The fire had evidently taken from the flew, and the bedroom
the boys occupied was so full of fire that when a window was opened to
relieve them the fire came through so that nothing could be done, the
remains were found where the bed stood, except one of them had evidently
turned with his head to the foot of the bed.
     Their remains were taken and buried at Union church.  Andrew is
almost crazed with grief, and the mother with faith and fortitude,
unequaled almost, bears it with remarkable strength and composure.  Mrs.
Barton is 75 years of age and had twelve children.  Her husband Daniel
W. Barton was shot by the soldiers at the close of the war, he had been
released from Alton by the U. S. authorities, and returned home and was
visiting at his fathers a few miles west of where he lived and was taken
by some soldiers but before they reached Macon City he was shot.
     The children were all taken care of by the mother and raised to
manhood and womanhood except one daughter.  Talk of heroines or heroes;
who has fought life's terrible battle more bravely than Mrs. Barton?
Her friends ought to build her a house and help furnish it.  Every man
that admires the grand and worthy in our race will help in the good work.
     There is another small house on the farm that she will occupy in a
short time.  Her sons all live in other states except one here Taylor,
and the one at home, and one daughter in Moberly and one in Lamar, MO.
Her brothers, P. G. and Jacob McBroom live in Oregon, and two sisters in
this county, Mrs. Barr and Mrs. Barton.  She has been a member of the
Methodist church for many years.  There was no insurance.

====================================================================
     USGENWEB NOTICE: In keeping with our policy of providing
         free information on the Internet, data may be used by
         non-commercial entities, as long as this message
         remains on all copied material. These electronic
         pages may NOT be reproduced in any format for profit
         or for presentation by other persons or organizations.

         Persons or organizations desiring to use this material
         for purposes other than stated above must obtain the
         written consent of the file contributor.

         This file was contributed for use in the USGenWeb
         Archives by: Sharon Hamilton <sharkay@swbell.net>
====================================================================