June 16, 1917, Saturday, Cassville Democrat, Barry Co., MO  

John Newton Barr Dead Aged 69 Years

Another splendid man and citizen has fallen, with a good life left as a heritage in his loved ones and friends to imitate. In order that the same thing may be said of them, when the time comes for their passing. He was wealthy in honor, up rightness, integrity, temperance, fortitude, prudence and justice, and love for his God. His every desire was to do good and it was very pleasing to him to see people doing good. His splendid life is before us and we say that it is worthy of imitation, because of its splendidness. His daily walk was an index to his life and these of his home town that knew him best will attest to his excellent qualities as a man and citizen.  

John Newton Barr was born Dec. 24, 1847 in Bradley County, Tenn., and was a son of Mr. Jas. A. and Susan Bear, who moved to Barry County in 1852, and located on Shoal Creek, where they lived and died many years ago, and the decedent was resided from a lad of five years to manhood. On Dec. 24, 1875, he and Miss Elmira Whiteis of Liberty township, were married, to whom survive the father, who are: Robert Barr, Mrs. Chas. Bates and Mrs. Horace Packwood of and near Exeter; Mrs. Polk Bayless of Cassville; R. S. and Mrs. Iva Packwood of Oklahoma. His brothers and sisters living hare: W. S. Barr, Exeter; Columbus Bear of Eureka Springs, Ark.; Mrs. Bart Brisco, Exeter and Mrs. Wright Weatherly of Joplin.

He died at Exeter, June 7, 1917, of a kidney trouble, age 69 years, 5 months and 14 days. Mrs. Barr died November 2, 1911.

He united with the Cumberland Presbyterian Church in early life and always lived a consistent, zealous Christian life. He assisted in organizing the first Union Sunday School in Exeter, and was its Superintendent for twenty-one years.

He had lived in Exeter, for thirty-six years and was held in high esteem by all who had the pleasure of his acquaintance. For years he operated a blacksmith shop at that place. Later, he had engaged in the hardware business.

As an evidence of the esteem in which he was held, there assembled a very large crowd of people at the Baptist Church in Exeter, June 8, where funeral services were conducted by Rev.'s. C. M. Smith and Chas. Vanzandt, after which the remains were interred to Maplewood Cemetery at that place.

Time goes on and death will come to us all and we should be prepared in order to gather with the saints around the Great white Throne that Celestial City. Death is as sure as birth and every living soul will have to meet it. Are you ready?

Keet Baby Found Dead in Old Well: Murdered

The little 14 months old baby boy of Mr. and Mrs. Holland Keet of Springfield, who was kidnapped on night of May 30, and carried away, was found dead Saturday, June 9, at 11:15 a. m. in a cistern on the L. A. D. Crenshaw farm south of Springfield, about 8 miles, wrapped in the clothing that was taken the night he was kidnapped, with an additional black under skirt. The wraps were fastened about the body with wire and a bundle of wire was made to serve as a weight to sink the little body in the water. Charlie Holland, Man __ Simmons and Ed Conklin made the search of the cistern for the baby by letting Simmons down head first and with a pole located the body and brought it out. It had been killed or died before being placed in the cistern as there was no water in its lungs. Thought to have been in the water three or four days. The baby was smothered or died before being placed in the cistern.

The baby was hurriedly taken tot the Paxton Undertaking Parlor and there prepared for interment. In meantime Prosecuting Attorney, Paul O'Day telephone Sheriff Webb to get Claud "Doc" Peirsol, Mr. and Mrs. Taylor Adams, Cletus Adams, Allie Adams and Maxie Adams and Sam McGinnis who had been placed under arrest fort the crime, out of Springfield, and he immediately loaded them in cars and went to Bolivar and on to Caplinger Mills in Cedar County, where a number of Springfield citizens as well as a number of people of the section, overtook them and took the prisoners from the Sheriff and deputies. Finally the Sheriff prevailed on them to do no violence, only to force a confession from Peirso. They took Piersol to a tree near Stockton and swung him up three time and let him down. Each time he denied complicity in kidnapping the Keet child. Piersol and Cletus Adams were taken to Kansas City and placed in jail and the others were placed in the Stockton jail.

When Piersol heard of the finding of the body of the baby he turned very white.

A band of conspirators or kidnappers had been meeting at the Adams home in Springfield.

The murder of the Keet baby has been charged to a fellow name Dick Carter of Springfield, who has left that place and nationwide search is being made for him.

The remains of the Keet baby were interred Monday afternoon in Maplewood Cemetery at Springfield.

It is reported that Mrs. Keet's mind is affected and it is feared that it is permanent.

Myrtle Allison Dead:

The sad announcement of the death of a young girl was made Monday morning and the sympathy of the many friends of the family in this city and neighborhood went out to the bereaved family in their great bereavement.

The death angel beckoned the spirit of Miss Myrtle Allison to come up higher to a place of stern all blessedness and felicity and she obeyed the summons Sunday night, June 10, at 9 p.m. at the Allison home northeast of this city of tuberculosis, aged 16 years.

She was a daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Bud Allison northeast of this city.

Funeral services were conducted at Corinth Baptist Church Monday afternoon and the remains were laid to rest in the cemetery there.

She had been sick for sometime.