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William Kenneth Barber

Birth	:	26 Jul 1909 Villisca, 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	:	William Kenneth Barber WILLIAM KENNETH BARBER Birth: 26 JUL 1909 in Villisca, Montgomery Co., IA. Death: 5 MAY 1934 in VILLISCA, MONTGOMERY Co., IOWA Burial: 8 MAY 1934 Villisca, Montgomery Iowa Co. IA 1 Kenneth Barber, 24, well, known Villisca athlete, died here at 10;15 am of a self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was found at 7:30 am Sat. lying in an ally 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 found across his crumbled body... Read More	William Kenneth Barber WILLIAM KENNETH BARBER Birth: 26 JUL 1909 in Villisca, Montgomery Co., IA. Death: 5 MAY 1934 in VILLISCA, MONTGOMERY Co., IOWA Burial: 8 MAY 1934 Villisca, Montgomery Iowa Co. IA 1 Kenneth Barber, 24, well, known Villisca athlete, died here at 10;15 am of a self-inflicted gun shot wound. He was found at 7:30 am Sat. lying in an ally 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 found across his crumbled 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 ally on their way to their garden patch south of the barn. Bullet in Brain Dr. J. 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 coursed 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. 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 nostrils in such a manner that it left no defacing mark. He was fully clothed when discovered Saturday morning, a note was sound in the pocket of his shirt indicating 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 not ended , “ So long. The dot meant out. Kenney.” The appearance of the not indicated that it might have been carried around in his pocket for a day or so. According to his friends, Kenneth had been frequently in 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 contribution factor to 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. The funeral was held at 2 p.m. Monday in the Villisca Methodist Church, with the pastor, Rev. W. F. Clayburg, in charge. members of the coca-Cola, Five basketball team, of which the dead boy was a member, served as pall bearers. They were, Lyle and Dale Roberst, Russell Rugg, Ed Reynolds, Howard Kenworthy, and Neal Means. Burial was in the Villisca Cemetery. Members of Company F, of which Kenneth was a member, attended the service in a a body and marched to the cemetery where a military ritual was given at the grave. William Kenneth Barber, son of Ben and May Beard Barber was born July 26, 1909. Kenny, as he was known had lived his entire life in this community. He graduated from the local high school with the class of 1930. 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 Gold Medal tournament. He was a good soldier having been a member of Co. F. for a period of 7 years. He is survived by two sisters and one brother, who are, Mrs. Dale Heath and Mary Barber of Atlantic 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 Barber, since his parents’ death several years ago. His two sisters and brother-in-law arrived from Atlantic Saturday morning and remained until after the funeral services. Two carloads of friends from Atlantic also attended the services Monday. Villisca Review, Friday, May 25, 1934, page 1 & 5

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

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

Kenneth Barber

(1909 - 1934)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

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

2. Carlisle Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.9225006, -94.9835968

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Coordinate: 40.8857994, -95.0511017

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Coordinate: 41.0052986, -95.0603027

10. Sciola Baptist Cemetery
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Coordinate: 41.0340000, -94.9859000

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Coordinate: 41.0362750, -94.9950660

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Coordinate: 40.8422012, -94.9396973

14. Mamrelund Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.9810486, -95.0959320

15. Methodist Grove Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.9136009, -94.8332977

16. Baldwin Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.9768982, -94.8244019

17. Thompson Cemetery
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Coordinate: 41.0527000, -94.9161000

18. Rose Hill Church Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.8215000, -95.0340000

19. Guss Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.8502657, -94.8510869

20. Tabor Cemetery
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Coordinate: 41.0543700, -95.0619900

21. Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery
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Coordinate: 40.8430000, -95.1044000

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Coordinate: 40.9728012, -94.7953033

23. Strand Cemetery
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Coordinate: 41.0730000, -94.9100000

24. Mortons Mill Cemetery
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Coordinate: 41.0793991, -95.0085983