Fairfield Recorder - Friday, July 16, 1926 edition

LIGHTENING KILLS FREESTONE CITIZEN

Prof. S. M. Barnett, an old and well known citizen of Freestone County was
instantly killed at his home near Mills about 4 p.m. Monday when struck by a
bolt of lightening. Mr. Barnett was alone when killed and appeared that he had
just carried in an arm full of stove wood. 

One side of his face was split and one of his feet burst and his clothes were
burned from his body.

Prof. Barnett had never married. He was great reader and scholar and was
esteemed by all who knew him as a man of the highest honor and integrity.

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Fairfield Recorder - Friday, July 30, 1926 edition

IN MEMORIAM  
Prof. S. M. BARNETT was born in Rock Hill, South Carolina Dec. 24, 1856. At the
age of two his parents moved to Mississippi where they resided 28 years. He
received his education in the Cooper Institute in Mississippi and became a
tutor in that college at the age of 18. He was after wards elected Principle of
Marion Academy in Mississippi where he taught until the family moved to Texas
in 1886. Having a thorough education, Mr. BARNETT spent 30 years teaching in
the public schools of Mississippi and Texas. 

Nor was his life's work in vein he realized early in life that his talent lay
in Literary work. This he persuaded faithfully until he passed away July 9,
1926. His life was one of true manhood. True first to his creator, second to
his relatives who were from the tiniest to the oldest very dear to him, then to
his host of friends he had endeared in his profession. To know Mr. BARNETT was
to love him. He was of that kind, gentle disposition who never found fault in
mankind. In his immense vocabulary there were not a single word to be used of
ill repute against anyone. With him all was sublime and beautiful, just as he
was said about his sister on her passing away. 

Thoughts she may have had but in looking back upon by gone days, I fell to
recognize them, I can truly say of him. Though our heads are bowed in sorrow
and humility over this sudden grief we must remember the bolt of lightening
that caused his death came from the same creative power from whence. He came in
anguish we shall say, not my will, but thine be done. Leaves have their time to
fall and flowers to wither at the North winds breath, and stars to set but all
thou haze all seasons, for thine own all death.

Mrs. Felix B. Compton