Barr - Bert Garfield
Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal Friday 3 September 1897
Bert Barr, the 17 year old son of James and Margaret Barr, died last Friday at 1:30 o’clock at the family residence on Lafayette Avenue. He had been sick only a few days with typhoid malarial fever, superinduced by inflammatory rheumatism. The funeral occurred Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock. Interment was at Oak Hill. The deceased was a very excellent young man and was greatly respected by all who knew him.
A beautiful chain of ten golden links last Friday morning was risen. Nine of these links remained upon earth while death claimed the tenth for Heaven. But friends do not mourn for the missing one. By pure lives and kind words spoken you will again unite in Bert’s beautiful home where this chain will ne’er be broken.
Bert Garfield Barr was born Dec. 5, 1880, died of rheumatism Aug. 27, 1897, aged 16 years, eight months and 22 days. He was the youngest child of Mr. and Mrs. James Barr, residing on Lafayette Pike and out of a family of eight children was the first one called home to his Maker.
Bert’s devotion to his mother was worthy of emulation by other boys. His earnings were turned over to her on each pay day, and when he needed clothing and other necessities of life she was always his counsel, always showing her the respect due a mother from her son. It seems that the old adage is again true in this case that “death loves a shining mark” but if none but the wayward and careless would die we would not appreciate the good as we do, thus teaching us the lesson that God doeth all things well.
The funeral occurred at the family residence on Lafayette Pike Saturday evening, and was conducted by Rev. R. D. Trick, of the Baptist Church. Misses Nicholson and Scott sang several beautiful hymns. He was borne to the hearse by his young associates, while the Misses Casey, Miss Collins and Miss Lizzie Fell carried the numerous and beautiful floral offerings to Oak Hill Cemetery, where the body of the beloved boy will rest in peace. The family has the sincere sympathy of the entire community in their great bereavement.