Mrs. J. P. Barnard was buried yesterday. She leaves a husband and four child to mourn her loss, one of which is not yet a week old.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--Jan 20, 1877
J. P Barnard has been appointed Administrator of the estate of Rachel Barnard, deceased. His bond has been filed and approved.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--February 10, 1877
Wife of J. P. Barnard--She apparently died right about the time she gave birth to a child who also died.
The 1885 Kansas census shows a J. P. Barnard living in Kirwin, Kansas, widowed, born in Mississippi about 1841.
The Kirwin Chief--July 1876--J. P. Barnard has rented his Meat Market to C. E. Russell of Lincoln County who will hereafter conduct the business. Mr. Russell is a good butcher and will supply the town with meat at reasonable prices.
According to the newspaper, in 1877 J. P. Barnard went to Deadwood, South Dakota. There was a letter dated May 24, 1877, from him to the newspaper, published in the paper. Whether he stayed there or returned is unknown.
From our Deadwood Correspondent
Deadwood City--May 24, 1877
Editor Chief--I find on my arrival in town, great excitement; people throng the streets for over two miles, and it takes from one to three hours to get to the post office. The population of Deadwood is supposed to be about 7,000 inhabitants. As far as society is concerned, it is better than any man (except some old fogy who never saw a frontier town) could expect. Business of all kinds, is flourishing. There are now ten quartz mills and three saw mills. Quarts is rich; placer mining is being worked extensively, and paying well. I saw $25 taken from one pan of dirt. It is almost impossible to get a claim without buying. There is great excitement in the direction of the Big Horn Mountains. It has rained every day for the last 40 days. Rain falls gently, but nevertheless makes it disagreeable traveling, and has kept a great many mines from being worked. There is no danger anticipated from Indians this summer. I drove through from Sidney in twelve days with four passengers and paid no attention to any other outfits. I made the entire trip in 21 1/2 days. The distance closely calculated is 595 miles, with good watering places every 12 or 15 miles. Persons who contemplace coming here may be assured that they will find as good society here as elsewhere. We have a court of justice, and persons who violate the law and disturb the public peace are made to carry themselves peaceably. There are two church organizations at work, and they will build churches this summer.
Gayville is a smart town two miles up the gulch from Deadwood, and has about 1,500 inhabitants. Business is brisk. The best quartz is in the vicinity of Gayville, and placer mining is done so much and close that the houses in town settle in different attitudes. Sometimes one end of a store building settles six inches in a night. There are five drifts under the town which leave it standing on trestles. I will start for Bare Butte tomorrow and will visit all the camps in the hills. On my return I will make my communication important to all your readers. I shall give a full report of the discoveries in the Big Horn range and many other items of interest to those who intend to visit the Hills.
Yours respectfully,
J. P. Barnard
After South Dakota, J. P. Barnard went to Yellowstone, Wyoming, for a while before he returned to Kirwin, KS.
Kirwin Chief-January 15, 1879--J. P. Barnard, a former resident of this place and a most estimable citizen returned to this place last Tuesday. We welcome him back.
Kirwin Chief--February 12, 1879--J. P. Barnard and James Andrews have formed a partnership in the meat market business.
Kirwin Chief--April 9, 1879--J. P. Barnard, our enterprising townsman, is building a house in the northeast part of town.
Kirwin Chief--April 30, 1879--J. P. Barnard is City Marshal; and the way he "jugs" the transgressors of the law is a caution.
Kirwin Chief--July 23, 1879--J. P. Barnard has resigned as Marshal of Kirwin, and Mr. Pell has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Kirwin Chief--October 22, 1879--John P. Barnard, the people's candidate for Surveyor, has been out in the country looking up his chances for election and reports progress. Mr. Barnard is a good, competent Surveyor, having been on the government survey for a number of years. He would make a good officer if elected.
Kirwin Chief--April 14, 1880--J. P. Barnard has gone to Atwood to locate where he will practice his profession of surveyor. Mr. Barnard is a good citizen and a competent surveyor, and we wish him success in his new home.
Kirwin Chief--April 21, 1880--Dissolution Notice--The ice firm of Kirwin, heretofore known as the firm of Hamilton and Barnard, have this day dissolved, and the ice business hereafter will be continued by J. W. Hamilton.
J. W. Hamilton
J. P. Barnard--Kirwin Kansas, March 31, 1880
Kirwin Chief--July 14, 1880--July 13, 1880--To: Editor Chief--As I have been for some time abasent from Kirwin, I have been acting in the capacity of Deputy County Surveyor from Norton County for Rawlins and Cheyenne Counties, where I have found a reasonable amount of work in surveying and locating and have given general satisfaction. I have also been working up the interest of the new town of Beaverton, which is better located for future railroad and county seat prosects than any other town in Rawlins County and more centrally located in the new land district. My work in the interest of Beaverton has caused a rivalry between Atwood and myself, which has resulted in a scandalous, ridiculous and cowardly attack, too unreasonable for any sane person to believe, the allegations of which are contemptably false and without foundation, and for the shallow purpose of injuring my reputation. I have resided most of the time for six years in Kirwin and have always endeavored to be a law-abiding citizen, and only hope that scandalous reports of my fiendish enemies my receive the utter contempt of all who are acquainted with me. I shall use all lawful and reasonable means to vindicate the cause in defence of my name and character against the false and scandalous reports put in circulation by the men from Atwood.
I am yours, respectvully, J. P. Barnard
Kirwin Chief--Married--At Germantown, Kansas, May 1, 1881, Mr. John P. Barnard, to Miss Anne T. Rose. The Chief extends to the bride and bridegroom its best wishes for a long and happy life. Mr. Barnard is one of the old settlers of Kirwin and his many friends will join us in congratulations.
John and Rachel Barnard had a daughter named Kate who was somewhat of an early day activist. Here is a letter Kate wrote to a person who lived in Kirwin. This letter was published in the Kirwin Kansan--January 21, 1909:
From Kate Barnard
Guthrie, Oklahoma
January 14, 1909
Mrs. May L. White
Kirwin, Kansas
My dear old Friend:
I am indeed delighted to hear from you and to once more come in touch with the friends of my childhood days. I am anxious to come back to Kirwin and visit my mother's grave, and at the earliest opportunity I will come to your city and visit you.
Give my love and best wishes to all my early friends and assure them that I am struggling with what little strength I have for the beautiful in life. I wish to be worthy to meet my mother some day, and it is this that nerves me on to the supreme effort for the justice in the face of such oppositions as has recently arisen in your Kansas institution. I am glad that I am a Kansan myself so that the authorities there may not think me a mere interloper or adventurer or notoriety seeker.
If you or any of my early friends come to Oklahoma, remember that the latch string in this Department is always out for you, and you will find a most hearty welcome here.
With all my love,
Sincerely,
Kate Barnard
(The older citizens of Kirwin will remember Miss Barnard as a little girl who grew up here in Kirwin. Within the past few weeks she has been thrown into the limelight in Kansas on account of her relations with the discussion as to whether the Kansas State Penitentiary has been properly managed. From what we know of the situation, we are convinced that in this particular case the Kansas authorities had the best end of the argument. Editor)
Kirwin Kansan
August 20, 1913
Work of Kate Barnard
Kate Barnard is broken in health, she may never be able to return to her work. Kate is a bundle of nerves. She put her whole soul into her work. She never let politics or religion interfere with her duties. Saving a child was doing God's service, with her and giving criminals better surroundings was her politics. She was criticized by the legislature, but her unswerving devotion to her work brought her that criticism. She may never be able to return to her Oklahoma work, but Kate Barnard has built a monument to her own glory in the hearts of thousands of the poor and of as many of convicted boys and men that fill the prison.
The above is clipped from an Oklahoma newspaper and is of interest to Kirwin readers because Miss Barnard was raised here in Kirwin where she still has some fast friends.
Note: During the 1910s, Kate Barnard was the State Commissioner for Charities and Corrections in Oklahoma. There are numerous newspaper articles about her charity and prison activist work.
John P. Barnard died in 1909 in Texas.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--Jan 20, 1877
J. P Barnard has been appointed Administrator of the estate of Rachel Barnard, deceased. His bond has been filed and approved.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--February 10, 1877
Wife of J. P. Barnard--She apparently died right about the time she gave birth to a child who also died.
The 1885 Kansas census shows a J. P. Barnard living in Kirwin, Kansas, widowed, born in Mississippi about 1841.
The Kirwin Chief--July 1876--J. P. Barnard has rented his Meat Market to C. E. Russell of Lincoln County who will hereafter conduct the business. Mr. Russell is a good butcher and will supply the town with meat at reasonable prices.
According to the newspaper, in 1877 J. P. Barnard went to Deadwood, South Dakota. There was a letter dated May 24, 1877, from him to the newspaper, published in the paper. Whether he stayed there or returned is unknown.
From our Deadwood Correspondent
Deadwood City--May 24, 1877
Editor Chief--I find on my arrival in town, great excitement; people throng the streets for over two miles, and it takes from one to three hours to get to the post office. The population of Deadwood is supposed to be about 7,000 inhabitants. As far as society is concerned, it is better than any man (except some old fogy who never saw a frontier town) could expect. Business of all kinds, is flourishing. There are now ten quartz mills and three saw mills. Quarts is rich; placer mining is being worked extensively, and paying well. I saw $25 taken from one pan of dirt. It is almost impossible to get a claim without buying. There is great excitement in the direction of the Big Horn Mountains. It has rained every day for the last 40 days. Rain falls gently, but nevertheless makes it disagreeable traveling, and has kept a great many mines from being worked. There is no danger anticipated from Indians this summer. I drove through from Sidney in twelve days with four passengers and paid no attention to any other outfits. I made the entire trip in 21 1/2 days. The distance closely calculated is 595 miles, with good watering places every 12 or 15 miles. Persons who contemplace coming here may be assured that they will find as good society here as elsewhere. We have a court of justice, and persons who violate the law and disturb the public peace are made to carry themselves peaceably. There are two church organizations at work, and they will build churches this summer.
Gayville is a smart town two miles up the gulch from Deadwood, and has about 1,500 inhabitants. Business is brisk. The best quartz is in the vicinity of Gayville, and placer mining is done so much and close that the houses in town settle in different attitudes. Sometimes one end of a store building settles six inches in a night. There are five drifts under the town which leave it standing on trestles. I will start for Bare Butte tomorrow and will visit all the camps in the hills. On my return I will make my communication important to all your readers. I shall give a full report of the discoveries in the Big Horn range and many other items of interest to those who intend to visit the Hills.
Yours respectfully,
J. P. Barnard
After South Dakota, J. P. Barnard went to Yellowstone, Wyoming, for a while before he returned to Kirwin, KS.
Kirwin Chief-January 15, 1879--J. P. Barnard, a former resident of this place and a most estimable citizen returned to this place last Tuesday. We welcome him back.
Kirwin Chief--February 12, 1879--J. P. Barnard and James Andrews have formed a partnership in the meat market business.
Kirwin Chief--April 9, 1879--J. P. Barnard, our enterprising townsman, is building a house in the northeast part of town.
Kirwin Chief--April 30, 1879--J. P. Barnard is City Marshal; and the way he "jugs" the transgressors of the law is a caution.
Kirwin Chief--July 23, 1879--J. P. Barnard has resigned as Marshal of Kirwin, and Mr. Pell has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Kirwin Chief--October 22, 1879--John P. Barnard, the people's candidate for Surveyor, has been out in the country looking up his chances for election and reports progress. Mr. Barnard is a good, competent Surveyor, having been on the government survey for a number of years. He would make a good officer if elected.
Kirwin Chief--April 14, 1880--J. P. Barnard has gone to Atwood to locate where he will practice his profession of surveyor. Mr. Barnard is a good citizen and a competent surveyor, and we wish him success in his new home.
Kirwin Chief--April 21, 1880--Dissolution Notice--The ice firm of Kirwin, heretofore known as the firm of Hamilton and Barnard, have this day dissolved, and the ice business hereafter will be continued by J. W. Hamilton.
J. W. Hamilton
J. P. Barnard--Kirwin Kansas, March 31, 1880
Kirwin Chief--July 14, 1880--July 13, 1880--To: Editor Chief--As I have been for some time abasent from Kirwin, I have been acting in the capacity of Deputy County Surveyor from Norton County for Rawlins and Cheyenne Counties, where I have found a reasonable amount of work in surveying and locating and have given general satisfaction. I have also been working up the interest of the new town of Beaverton, which is better located for future railroad and county seat prosects than any other town in Rawlins County and more centrally located in the new land district. My work in the interest of Beaverton has caused a rivalry between Atwood and myself, which has resulted in a scandalous, ridiculous and cowardly attack, too unreasonable for any sane person to believe, the allegations of which are contemptably false and without foundation, and for the shallow purpose of injuring my reputation. I have resided most of the time for six years in Kirwin and have always endeavored to be a law-abiding citizen, and only hope that scandalous reports of my fiendish enemies my receive the utter contempt of all who are acquainted with me. I shall use all lawful and reasonable means to vindicate the cause in defence of my name and character against the false and scandalous reports put in circulation by the men from Atwood.
I am yours, respectvully, J. P. Barnard
Kirwin Chief--Married--At Germantown, Kansas, May 1, 1881, Mr. John P. Barnard, to Miss Anne T. Rose. The Chief extends to the bride and bridegroom its best wishes for a long and happy life. Mr. Barnard is one of the old settlers of Kirwin and his many friends will join us in congratulations.
John and Rachel Barnard had a daughter named Kate who was somewhat of an early day activist. Here is a letter Kate wrote to a person who lived in Kirwin. This letter was published in the Kirwin Kansan--January 21, 1909:
From Kate Barnard
Guthrie, Oklahoma
January 14, 1909
Mrs. May L. White
Kirwin, Kansas
My dear old Friend:
I am indeed delighted to hear from you and to once more come in touch with the friends of my childhood days. I am anxious to come back to Kirwin and visit my mother's grave, and at the earliest opportunity I will come to your city and visit you.
Give my love and best wishes to all my early friends and assure them that I am struggling with what little strength I have for the beautiful in life. I wish to be worthy to meet my mother some day, and it is this that nerves me on to the supreme effort for the justice in the face of such oppositions as has recently arisen in your Kansas institution. I am glad that I am a Kansan myself so that the authorities there may not think me a mere interloper or adventurer or notoriety seeker.
If you or any of my early friends come to Oklahoma, remember that the latch string in this Department is always out for you, and you will find a most hearty welcome here.
With all my love,
Sincerely,
Kate Barnard
(The older citizens of Kirwin will remember Miss Barnard as a little girl who grew up here in Kirwin. Within the past few weeks she has been thrown into the limelight in Kansas on account of her relations with the discussion as to whether the Kansas State Penitentiary has been properly managed. From what we know of the situation, we are convinced that in this particular case the Kansas authorities had the best end of the argument. Editor)
Kirwin Kansan
August 20, 1913
Work of Kate Barnard
Kate Barnard is broken in health, she may never be able to return to her work. Kate is a bundle of nerves. She put her whole soul into her work. She never let politics or religion interfere with her duties. Saving a child was doing God's service, with her and giving criminals better surroundings was her politics. She was criticized by the legislature, but her unswerving devotion to her work brought her that criticism. She may never be able to return to her Oklahoma work, but Kate Barnard has built a monument to her own glory in the hearts of thousands of the poor and of as many of convicted boys and men that fill the prison.
The above is clipped from an Oklahoma newspaper and is of interest to Kirwin readers because Miss Barnard was raised here in Kirwin where she still has some fast friends.
Note: During the 1910s, Kate Barnard was the State Commissioner for Charities and Corrections in Oklahoma. There are numerous newspaper articles about her charity and prison activist work.
John P. Barnard died in 1909 in Texas.
Mrs. J. P. Barnard was buried yesterday. She leaves a husband and four child to mourn her loss, one of which is not yet a week old.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--Jan 20, 1877
J. P Barnard has been appointed Administrator of the estate of Rachel Barnard, deceased. His bond has been filed and approved.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--February 10, 1877
Wife of J. P. Barnard--She apparently died right about the time she gave birth to a child who also died.
The 1885 Kansas census shows a J. P. Barnard living in Kirwin, Kansas, widowed, born in Mississippi about 1841.
The Kirwin Chief--July 1876--J. P. Barnard has rented his Meat Market to C. E. Russell of Lincoln County who will hereafter conduct the business. Mr. Russell is a good butcher and will supply the town with meat at reasonable prices.
According to the newspaper, in 1877 J. P. Barnard went to Deadwood, South Dakota. There was a letter dated May 24, 1877, from him to the newspaper, published in the paper. Whether he stayed there or returned is unknown.
From our Deadwood Correspondent
Deadwood City--May 24, 1877
Editor Chief--I find on my arrival in town, great excitement; people throng the streets for over two miles, and it takes from one to three hours to get to the post office. The population of Deadwood is supposed to be about 7,000 inhabitants. As far as society is concerned, it is better than any man (except some old fogy who never saw a frontier town) could expect. Business of all kinds, is flourishing. There are now ten quartz mills and three saw mills. Quarts is rich; placer mining is being worked extensively, and paying well. I saw $25 taken from one pan of dirt. It is almost impossible to get a claim without buying. There is great excitement in the direction of the Big Horn Mountains. It has rained every day for the last 40 days. Rain falls gently, but nevertheless makes it disagreeable traveling, and has kept a great many mines from being worked. There is no danger anticipated from Indians this summer. I drove through from Sidney in twelve days with four passengers and paid no attention to any other outfits. I made the entire trip in 21 1/2 days. The distance closely calculated is 595 miles, with good watering places every 12 or 15 miles. Persons who contemplace coming here may be assured that they will find as good society here as elsewhere. We have a court of justice, and persons who violate the law and disturb the public peace are made to carry themselves peaceably. There are two church organizations at work, and they will build churches this summer.
Gayville is a smart town two miles up the gulch from Deadwood, and has about 1,500 inhabitants. Business is brisk. The best quartz is in the vicinity of Gayville, and placer mining is done so much and close that the houses in town settle in different attitudes. Sometimes one end of a store building settles six inches in a night. There are five drifts under the town which leave it standing on trestles. I will start for Bare Butte tomorrow and will visit all the camps in the hills. On my return I will make my communication important to all your readers. I shall give a full report of the discoveries in the Big Horn range and many other items of interest to those who intend to visit the Hills.
Yours respectfully,
J. P. Barnard
After South Dakota, J. P. Barnard went to Yellowstone, Wyoming, for a while before he returned to Kirwin, KS.
Kirwin Chief-January 15, 1879--J. P. Barnard, a former resident of this place and a most estimable citizen returned to this place last Tuesday. We welcome him back.
Kirwin Chief--February 12, 1879--J. P. Barnard and James Andrews have formed a partnership in the meat market business.
Kirwin Chief--April 9, 1879--J. P. Barnard, our enterprising townsman, is building a house in the northeast part of town.
Kirwin Chief--April 30, 1879--J. P. Barnard is City Marshal; and the way he "jugs" the transgressors of the law is a caution.
Kirwin Chief--July 23, 1879--J. P. Barnard has resigned as Marshal of Kirwin, and Mr. Pell has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Kirwin Chief--October 22, 1879--John P. Barnard, the people's candidate for Surveyor, has been out in the country looking up his chances for election and reports progress. Mr. Barnard is a good, competent Surveyor, having been on the government survey for a number of years. He would make a good officer if elected.
Kirwin Chief--April 14, 1880--J. P. Barnard has gone to Atwood to locate where he will practice his profession of surveyor. Mr. Barnard is a good citizen and a competent surveyor, and we wish him success in his new home.
Kirwin Chief--April 21, 1880--Dissolution Notice--The ice firm of Kirwin, heretofore known as the firm of Hamilton and Barnard, have this day dissolved, and the ice business hereafter will be continued by J. W. Hamilton.
J. W. Hamilton
J. P. Barnard--Kirwin Kansas, March 31, 1880
Kirwin Chief--July 14, 1880--July 13, 1880--To: Editor Chief--As I have been for some time abasent from Kirwin, I have been acting in the capacity of Deputy County Surveyor from Norton County for Rawlins and Cheyenne Counties, where I have found a reasonable amount of work in surveying and locating and have given general satisfaction. I have also been working up the interest of the new town of Beaverton, which is better located for future railroad and county seat prosects than any other town in Rawlins County and more centrally located in the new land district. My work in the interest of Beaverton has caused a rivalry between Atwood and myself, which has resulted in a scandalous, ridiculous and cowardly attack, too unreasonable for any sane person to believe, the allegations of which are contemptably false and without foundation, and for the shallow purpose of injuring my reputation. I have resided most of the time for six years in Kirwin and have always endeavored to be a law-abiding citizen, and only hope that scandalous reports of my fiendish enemies my receive the utter contempt of all who are acquainted with me. I shall use all lawful and reasonable means to vindicate the cause in defence of my name and character against the false and scandalous reports put in circulation by the men from Atwood.
I am yours, respectvully, J. P. Barnard
Kirwin Chief--Married--At Germantown, Kansas, May 1, 1881, Mr. John P. Barnard, to Miss Anne T. Rose. The Chief extends to the bride and bridegroom its best wishes for a long and happy life. Mr. Barnard is one of the old settlers of Kirwin and his many friends will join us in congratulations.
John and Rachel Barnard had a daughter named Kate who was somewhat of an early day activist. Here is a letter Kate wrote to a person who lived in Kirwin. This letter was published in the Kirwin Kansan--January 21, 1909:
From Kate Barnard
Guthrie, Oklahoma
January 14, 1909
Mrs. May L. White
Kirwin, Kansas
My dear old Friend:
I am indeed delighted to hear from you and to once more come in touch with the friends of my childhood days. I am anxious to come back to Kirwin and visit my mother's grave, and at the earliest opportunity I will come to your city and visit you.
Give my love and best wishes to all my early friends and assure them that I am struggling with what little strength I have for the beautiful in life. I wish to be worthy to meet my mother some day, and it is this that nerves me on to the supreme effort for the justice in the face of such oppositions as has recently arisen in your Kansas institution. I am glad that I am a Kansan myself so that the authorities there may not think me a mere interloper or adventurer or notoriety seeker.
If you or any of my early friends come to Oklahoma, remember that the latch string in this Department is always out for you, and you will find a most hearty welcome here.
With all my love,
Sincerely,
Kate Barnard
(The older citizens of Kirwin will remember Miss Barnard as a little girl who grew up here in Kirwin. Within the past few weeks she has been thrown into the limelight in Kansas on account of her relations with the discussion as to whether the Kansas State Penitentiary has been properly managed. From what we know of the situation, we are convinced that in this particular case the Kansas authorities had the best end of the argument. Editor)
Kirwin Kansan
August 20, 1913
Work of Kate Barnard
Kate Barnard is broken in health, she may never be able to return to her work. Kate is a bundle of nerves. She put her whole soul into her work. She never let politics or religion interfere with her duties. Saving a child was doing God's service, with her and giving criminals better surroundings was her politics. She was criticized by the legislature, but her unswerving devotion to her work brought her that criticism. She may never be able to return to her Oklahoma work, but Kate Barnard has built a monument to her own glory in the hearts of thousands of the poor and of as many of convicted boys and men that fill the prison.
The above is clipped from an Oklahoma newspaper and is of interest to Kirwin readers because Miss Barnard was raised here in Kirwin where she still has some fast friends.
Note: During the 1910s, Kate Barnard was the State Commissioner for Charities and Corrections in Oklahoma. There are numerous newspaper articles about her charity and prison activist work.
John P. Barnard died in 1909 in Texas.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--Jan 20, 1877
J. P Barnard has been appointed Administrator of the estate of Rachel Barnard, deceased. His bond has been filed and approved.
Kirwin Weekly Chief--February 10, 1877
Wife of J. P. Barnard--She apparently died right about the time she gave birth to a child who also died.
The 1885 Kansas census shows a J. P. Barnard living in Kirwin, Kansas, widowed, born in Mississippi about 1841.
The Kirwin Chief--July 1876--J. P. Barnard has rented his Meat Market to C. E. Russell of Lincoln County who will hereafter conduct the business. Mr. Russell is a good butcher and will supply the town with meat at reasonable prices.
According to the newspaper, in 1877 J. P. Barnard went to Deadwood, South Dakota. There was a letter dated May 24, 1877, from him to the newspaper, published in the paper. Whether he stayed there or returned is unknown.
From our Deadwood Correspondent
Deadwood City--May 24, 1877
Editor Chief--I find on my arrival in town, great excitement; people throng the streets for over two miles, and it takes from one to three hours to get to the post office. The population of Deadwood is supposed to be about 7,000 inhabitants. As far as society is concerned, it is better than any man (except some old fogy who never saw a frontier town) could expect. Business of all kinds, is flourishing. There are now ten quartz mills and three saw mills. Quarts is rich; placer mining is being worked extensively, and paying well. I saw $25 taken from one pan of dirt. It is almost impossible to get a claim without buying. There is great excitement in the direction of the Big Horn Mountains. It has rained every day for the last 40 days. Rain falls gently, but nevertheless makes it disagreeable traveling, and has kept a great many mines from being worked. There is no danger anticipated from Indians this summer. I drove through from Sidney in twelve days with four passengers and paid no attention to any other outfits. I made the entire trip in 21 1/2 days. The distance closely calculated is 595 miles, with good watering places every 12 or 15 miles. Persons who contemplace coming here may be assured that they will find as good society here as elsewhere. We have a court of justice, and persons who violate the law and disturb the public peace are made to carry themselves peaceably. There are two church organizations at work, and they will build churches this summer.
Gayville is a smart town two miles up the gulch from Deadwood, and has about 1,500 inhabitants. Business is brisk. The best quartz is in the vicinity of Gayville, and placer mining is done so much and close that the houses in town settle in different attitudes. Sometimes one end of a store building settles six inches in a night. There are five drifts under the town which leave it standing on trestles. I will start for Bare Butte tomorrow and will visit all the camps in the hills. On my return I will make my communication important to all your readers. I shall give a full report of the discoveries in the Big Horn range and many other items of interest to those who intend to visit the Hills.
Yours respectfully,
J. P. Barnard
After South Dakota, J. P. Barnard went to Yellowstone, Wyoming, for a while before he returned to Kirwin, KS.
Kirwin Chief-January 15, 1879--J. P. Barnard, a former resident of this place and a most estimable citizen returned to this place last Tuesday. We welcome him back.
Kirwin Chief--February 12, 1879--J. P. Barnard and James Andrews have formed a partnership in the meat market business.
Kirwin Chief--April 9, 1879--J. P. Barnard, our enterprising townsman, is building a house in the northeast part of town.
Kirwin Chief--April 30, 1879--J. P. Barnard is City Marshal; and the way he "jugs" the transgressors of the law is a caution.
Kirwin Chief--July 23, 1879--J. P. Barnard has resigned as Marshal of Kirwin, and Mr. Pell has been appointed to fill the vacancy.
Kirwin Chief--October 22, 1879--John P. Barnard, the people's candidate for Surveyor, has been out in the country looking up his chances for election and reports progress. Mr. Barnard is a good, competent Surveyor, having been on the government survey for a number of years. He would make a good officer if elected.
Kirwin Chief--April 14, 1880--J. P. Barnard has gone to Atwood to locate where he will practice his profession of surveyor. Mr. Barnard is a good citizen and a competent surveyor, and we wish him success in his new home.
Kirwin Chief--April 21, 1880--Dissolution Notice--The ice firm of Kirwin, heretofore known as the firm of Hamilton and Barnard, have this day dissolved, and the ice business hereafter will be continued by J. W. Hamilton.
J. W. Hamilton
J. P. Barnard--Kirwin Kansas, March 31, 1880
Kirwin Chief--July 14, 1880--July 13, 1880--To: Editor Chief--As I have been for some time abasent from Kirwin, I have been acting in the capacity of Deputy County Surveyor from Norton County for Rawlins and Cheyenne Counties, where I have found a reasonable amount of work in surveying and locating and have given general satisfaction. I have also been working up the interest of the new town of Beaverton, which is better located for future railroad and county seat prosects than any other town in Rawlins County and more centrally located in the new land district. My work in the interest of Beaverton has caused a rivalry between Atwood and myself, which has resulted in a scandalous, ridiculous and cowardly attack, too unreasonable for any sane person to believe, the allegations of which are contemptably false and without foundation, and for the shallow purpose of injuring my reputation. I have resided most of the time for six years in Kirwin and have always endeavored to be a law-abiding citizen, and only hope that scandalous reports of my fiendish enemies my receive the utter contempt of all who are acquainted with me. I shall use all lawful and reasonable means to vindicate the cause in defence of my name and character against the false and scandalous reports put in circulation by the men from Atwood.
I am yours, respectvully, J. P. Barnard
Kirwin Chief--Married--At Germantown, Kansas, May 1, 1881, Mr. John P. Barnard, to Miss Anne T. Rose. The Chief extends to the bride and bridegroom its best wishes for a long and happy life. Mr. Barnard is one of the old settlers of Kirwin and his many friends will join us in congratulations.
John and Rachel Barnard had a daughter named Kate who was somewhat of an early day activist. Here is a letter Kate wrote to a person who lived in Kirwin. This letter was published in the Kirwin Kansan--January 21, 1909:
From Kate Barnard
Guthrie, Oklahoma
January 14, 1909
Mrs. May L. White
Kirwin, Kansas
My dear old Friend:
I am indeed delighted to hear from you and to once more come in touch with the friends of my childhood days. I am anxious to come back to Kirwin and visit my mother's grave, and at the earliest opportunity I will come to your city and visit you.
Give my love and best wishes to all my early friends and assure them that I am struggling with what little strength I have for the beautiful in life. I wish to be worthy to meet my mother some day, and it is this that nerves me on to the supreme effort for the justice in the face of such oppositions as has recently arisen in your Kansas institution. I am glad that I am a Kansan myself so that the authorities there may not think me a mere interloper or adventurer or notoriety seeker.
If you or any of my early friends come to Oklahoma, remember that the latch string in this Department is always out for you, and you will find a most hearty welcome here.
With all my love,
Sincerely,
Kate Barnard
(The older citizens of Kirwin will remember Miss Barnard as a little girl who grew up here in Kirwin. Within the past few weeks she has been thrown into the limelight in Kansas on account of her relations with the discussion as to whether the Kansas State Penitentiary has been properly managed. From what we know of the situation, we are convinced that in this particular case the Kansas authorities had the best end of the argument. Editor)
Kirwin Kansan
August 20, 1913
Work of Kate Barnard
Kate Barnard is broken in health, she may never be able to return to her work. Kate is a bundle of nerves. She put her whole soul into her work. She never let politics or religion interfere with her duties. Saving a child was doing God's service, with her and giving criminals better surroundings was her politics. She was criticized by the legislature, but her unswerving devotion to her work brought her that criticism. She may never be able to return to her Oklahoma work, but Kate Barnard has built a monument to her own glory in the hearts of thousands of the poor and of as many of convicted boys and men that fill the prison.
The above is clipped from an Oklahoma newspaper and is of interest to Kirwin readers because Miss Barnard was raised here in Kirwin where she still has some fast friends.
Note: During the 1910s, Kate Barnard was the State Commissioner for Charities and Corrections in Oklahoma. There are numerous newspaper articles about her charity and prison activist work.
John P. Barnard died in 1909 in Texas.
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