Home > United States of America > Iowa > Montgomery County > Villisca > Villisca Cemetery > Kenneth Barber

Kenneth Barber

Birth	:	26 Jul 1909 Montgomery County, Iowa, USA
Death	:	19 May 1934 Villisca, Montgomery County, Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.9389000, -94.9747009
Description	:	Barber, Kenneth 26 July 1909-19 May 1934 KENNETH BARBER WITH RIFLE, ENDS LIFE, SHOT IN BRAIN Kenneth Barber, 24, well known Villisca athlete, died here at 10:15 A.M., Saturday of a self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was found at 7:30 A.M. Saturday, lying in an alley behind the barn at the rear of the house on Eighth Street in which he had been residing with his uncle William Barber, and his brother, Robert. A .22 caliber rifle was lying across his crumpled body and from it he had fired a shot through his left nostril into his... Read More	Barber, Kenneth 26 July 1909-19 May 1934 KENNETH BARBER WITH RIFLE, ENDS LIFE, SHOT IN BRAIN Kenneth Barber, 24, well known Villisca athlete, died here at 10:15 A.M., Saturday of a self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was found at 7:30 A.M. Saturday, lying in an alley behind the barn at the rear of the house on Eighth Street in which he had been residing with his uncle William Barber, and his brother, Robert. A .22 caliber rifle was lying across his crumpled body and from it he had fired a shot through his left nostril into his brain. He was unconscious but was still alive when discovered by his uncle and his brother who saw him as they started to cross the alley on their was to their garden patch sound of the bar. BULLET IN BRAIN Dr. J. Clark Cooper was called immediately and gave medical aid to the injured youth, but the bullet from the gun was lodged in his brain and little could be done for him. He died three hours later without regaining consciousness. Kenneth is believed to have fired the shot that caused his death at approximately 3 A.M. Saturday. He was not at home when his uncle and his young brother retired Friday night to their sleeping quarters on the second floor of the house and they do not know when he came home. TOOK GUN IN THE NIGHT However, he entered the house some time during the night as the gun with which he took his life was kept in a closet opening off the living room and he obtained it from there. The gun had recently been cleaned by William Barber and was unloaded. Some shells had been placed in a drawer in the kitchen and Kenneth also got these during the night and loaded the gun. He evidently then went to the rear of the property, chose a secluded spot behind the barn, and in a reclining position, fired the shot through his nostril in such a manner that it left no defacing mark. LEFT NOTE He was fully clothed when discovered Saturday morning and a note was found in the pocket of his shirt indicating that his act was premeditated. The note, worded rather incoherently, was addressed to "Bob," and was evidently intended as a farewell to his young brother. It read, in part, as follows: "Bob, Listen kid, as far as you're concerned, you're a good boy. No fooling, be a man; please, Ken." A postscript to the note ended, "So-long. The dot means out. Kenny." The appearance of the note indicated that it might have been carried around in his pocket for a day or more. FEARED TUBERCULOSIS According to his friends, Kenneth had been frequently in a despondent mood and is said by them to have worried at times for fear he would become a victim of tuberculosis, the disease which claimed the lives of his father and mother. It is believed that despondency over his health and unemployment was a contributing factor of his suicide. County Coroner, Walter Sellergren and Sheriff John Conkel came to Villisca Saturday forenoon and, after an investigation of the suicide, decided that no inquest was necessary. Kenneth's body was taken to the Wolfe & Gourley funeral parlors where it remained until services were held. TEAM MATES AS PALLBEARERS The funeral was held at 2 P.M. Monday in the Villisca Methodist Church, with the pastor, the Rev. W. F. Clayburg, in charge. Members of the Coca-Cola Five basketball team, of which the dead boy was a member, served as pallbearers. They were, Lyle and Dale Roberts, Russell Ruff, Ed Reynolds, Howard Kenworthy, and Neal Means. Burial was made in Villisca Cemetery. Member of Company F, of which Kenneth was a member, attended the service in a body and marched to the cemetery where a military ritual was given at the grave. William Kenneth Barber, son of Ben and May Barber was born July 26, 1909. Kenney, as he was known, had lived his entire life in this community. He graduated from the local high school with the class of 1933. He was an outstanding athlete throughout his school days, and has been one of the leading players of the Coca-Cola Five basketball team. He has been recognized as one of the best sportsmen of the community and was known as a hard, clean player. He was awarded the sportsmanship medal in the 1933 God Medal Tournament. He was a good soldier, having been a member of Co. F for a period of seven years. FOUR OF FAMILY DEAD He is survived by two sisters and one brother, who are Mrs. Dale Heath and Mary Barber of Atlantic, Iowa and Robert of Villisca. His parents, one brother and one sister preceded him in death. Kenneth had made his home with his grandfather, W. C. Barber, who died several months ago, and his uncle William Baber, since his parents' death several years ago. Information found in The Villisca Review, May 25, 1935.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Kenneth Barber's memorial?
Kenneth Barber's memorial is located at: Villisca Cemetery, Villisca, Montgomery County, USA.
When did Kenneth Barber death?
Kenneth Barber death on 19 May 1934 in Villisca, Montgomery County, Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Kenneth Barber's memorial?
Latitude: 40.9389000
Longitude: -94.9747009

Family Members:

Parent

Benjamin Franklin Barber

(1881 - 1928)

Ica Mae Beard Barber

(1887 - 1921)

Siblings

Franklin Gerald Barber

(1904 - 1906)

Viola Mae Barber

(1907 - 1926)

William Kenneth Barber

(1909 - 1934)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Villisca Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9389000, -94.9747009

2. Carlisle Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9225006, -94.9835968

3. Findley Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9578018, -94.9571991

4. Bakers Cut Cemetery
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9083200, -94.9585900

5. Arlington Cemetery
Stanton, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9975014, -95.0093994

6. Nodaway Cemetery
Nodaway, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9627991, -94.8858032

7. North Page Cemetery
Hepburn, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8857994, -95.0511017

8. Fairview Cemetery
Valley Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8570862, -94.9671860

9. Mission Cemetery
Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0052986, -95.0603027

10. Sciola Baptist Cemetery
Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0340000, -94.9859000

11. Mamre Cemetery
Stanton, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9865480, -95.0886400

12. Bolt Family Burying Ground
Villisca, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0362750, -94.9950660

13. North Grove Cemetery
Hepburn, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8422012, -94.9396973

14. Mamrelund Cemetery
Stanton, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9810486, -95.0959320

15. Methodist Grove Cemetery
Nodaway, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9136009, -94.8332977

16. Baldwin Cemetery
Corning, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9768982, -94.8244019

17. Thompson Cemetery
Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0527000, -94.9161000

18. Rose Hill Church Cemetery
Clarinda, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8215000, -95.0340000

19. Guss Cemetery
Guss, Taylor County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8502657, -94.8510869

20. Tabor Cemetery
Wallin, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0543700, -95.0619900

21. Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery
Douglas Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8430000, -95.1044000

22. Brooks Cemetery
Corning, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9728012, -94.7953033

23. Strand Cemetery
Corning, Adams County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0730000, -94.9100000

24. Mortons Mill Cemetery
Morton Mills, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0793991, -95.0085983