July 1894 – George A. Barclay Builds a Hotel…

Life in Pine River in the Summer of 1894 was filled with many activities  such as the coming of the railroad, George Barclay’s travels to Brainerd and beyond, the GAR celebrations, and the 4th of July celebration in Pine River.

While all this was going on, George A. Barclay had time to plan and recruit a contractor to build his new hotel, store  and saloon.

“George Barclay has let the contract for the building of a new saloon to White & White of Brainerd. It promises to be a fine structure, having a glass front and being two stories high. Guess George intends starting the boom himself.  

Source: The Brainerd Tribune Local Pine River news, July 7, 1894, Minnesota Historical Society Newspaper Collection.

Another source gives this detail about the contract for the hotel:

On June 29, 1894, George Barclay contracts with I.U. White of Brainerd to build a hotel, store and saloon all in the same building. The Hotel Barclay or Barclay House was also known as the “White Elephant.” It burned in December, 1915, in a fire that threatened all of Pine River.

Source:  Cass County Heritage 1897-1997, pg. 55, Cass County Historical Society, Walker, MN

George Barclay is shipping up lumber to build his new saloon and store.  

George Barclay went to Brainerd last Monday night.  

Source: Brainerd Tribune, Local Pine River news July 14, 1894.  (Monday in 1894 is the 9th of July)

George Barclay returned from Brainerd last Monday night accompanied by Miss Barclay. 

George Barclay intends to commence building his new building next Monday.

Source: The Brainerd Tribune, Local Pine River news,  July 21, 1894.  (Monday in 1894 would be the 23rd).

If I have calculated this correctly, George started building his new hotel about July 23, 1894.  On a visit in 2007 to Pine River, I went to the town hall and inquired if they might have old Barclay Hotel building plans but was told “no.”  The hotel did burn down in 1915 and I will post about that in the future.  I am sure a lot documentation was destroyed when the hotel burned.  I also tried to find I.U. White of White & White who was the contractor but so far I have not been successful.

The Barclay Hotel

NOTE:  I obtained permission of the town of Pine River to post this photo of the Barclay Hotel as found in their book about the history of Pine River:  ”Logsleds to Snowmobiles 1973.”

“The years 1893 and 1894 saw the building of the railroad through here, at that time called the “Brainerd Northern.” The same year brought the first frame building of any importance, the Barclay Hotel. This was a large building, painted white and by some with less vision than Mr. Barclay, it was known as the “White Elephant.” However, the years following proved that his judgment was good as this stopping place enjoyed a wonderful patronage for many years.

Mr. Barclay also built a large store building on the corner where the Fraser building or Locker Plant now stands, where they conducted a general store until he was shot and killed while sitting in his office smoking a cigar in October 1898.”

Source:  Early History of Pine River, pg. 2-3, 1973, Bicentennial Issue, Pine River Journal, Pine River, Cass Co., MN. 

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Pine River 1894: A 4th of July Celebration!

4th of July

4th of July Celebrations

“The glorious fourth will be celebrated as it never was before at Pine River. There are to be horse races, pitching the weight and climbing the greasy pole and a match game of baseball between Pine River nine and the Big Bend nine in the afternoon. The day’s pleasure will wind up with a grand dance in the bowery kindly lent by G. A. Barclay. The Pine River Cornet band, under the leadership of Prof. Sam McConnell will be in attendance all day. The chief orator of the day will be George Barclay.

The glorious Fourth passed off at Pine River in fine shape.  It commenced at sunrise with a salute of one hundred guns.  At ten o’clock a grand street parade took place, headed by the city band under the leadership of Prof. Sam McConnell.  All the various trades of our city were well represented and the mayor and city council rode in carriages.  After parading the principal streets the procession made it s way to the city park, where all kinds of games were indulged in and a patriotic speech was delivered by the mayor.  In the evening the  day’s fun wound up by a grand bowery dance in the park.”

Source:  The Brainerd Tribune, Local News, Pine River, July 7 and 14th, 1894, from the newspaper collection at the Minnesota Historical Society.

It is too bad that George’s speech was not published in the newspaper!  It does sound like it was a wonderful celebration.

Image courtesy of Vintage Holiday Crafts - http://vintageholidaycrafts.com/

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Extra Extra! June 30, 1894 – The Barclays Travel Beyond Pine River & RR Troubles!

George apparently took Amarilla and Grace with him on his trip to the East.  The Brainerd Tribune of June 30, 1894 gives these accounts in the Pine River section of the Local News.   There was a lot going on for the Barclays at this time.

The banner of the newspaper in Brainerd

1. George Barclay returned from the east last Sunday, accompanied by Mrs. and Miss Barclay, who will spend the summer vacation here and watch our city grow.

2. George Barclay while away visited Minneapolis, Chicago and New York City and says things are very dull.

3. George Barclay will commence building in a few days on the new town site.

4. Last week our neighbor correspondent said that George Barclay was as tickled as a boy with a new pair of shoes,  as the road passed through his place, etc. But George Barclay was in Chicago at the time and knew nothing of the line and when he came home last Sunday the shoes did not fit at all.  When a man has to tear down four buildings and dig a new well for thirty feet, and have his gardens torn up, I don’t think there is anything to be tickled about. Do you?

Source:   The Brainerd Tribune film 1/6-12/29/1894, article dated June 30, 1894 under Local news “Pine River.”   Below is the actual article.

Pine River News June 30, 1894

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News: June 29, 1894 – Another Robbery at the Barclay Ranch!

At the end of the month of June the Brainerd Dispatch Newspaper reported on June 29, 1894 the following series of  robberies that were taking place in the area.  Note the article on this front page about the Railroad strike?

Front page – see next photo for the entire story

Under Local News Notes the full article appears in the second column about a series of robberies in the north area:

HUNGRY MEN WILL EAT

Robbery at Barclay Ranch – 1894

“From the country north of Brainerd comes reports of much suffering and destatuion among hundreds of men who have been enduced to come to this region by the beginning of operations on the Brainerd & Northern Minnesota railroad extension, and who have not found employment as expected.  During the past few days many depredations have been committed by men who claim they cannot starve. 

At Geo. Barclay’s place on Saturday night his warehouse was broken into and some $65 worth of eatables, such as flour, hams, potatoes, and a quantity of tobacco were stolen.  The same day a tote team loaded with provisions and belonging to Beckus & Co. was stopped on the road above Gull Lake and all the article that could be made into food was transferred from the owner’s wagon to a wagon belonging to the men and they told the driver that it was a matter of life or death with them as they had nothing to eat for several days but boiled fish without even salt to flavor it with.  There were 25 men in this gang and they stated that an account would be kept of the amount taken and that if they ever got money enough they would pay for it.  On Monday night about 10 o’clock Geo. Jenkins was stopped near Long Lake on the Leech Lake road by three men who sprung out of the brush and siezed his horses by the heads while the third man looked his wagon over, and seeing nothing in it that they could eat he told his companions to let Mr. Jenkins proceed as he had nothing they wanted.  Articles have also been taken from teams belonging to Nelson, Tenny & Co., H.B. Frey and A. Leonard.

It is to be regretted that so many men are being sent to this section for work on the new road when there are twice as many men on the ground as can find employment.  We are informed that advertisements are posted in St. Paul and Minneapolis stating that men are wanted here for this work, and it is undoubtedly for the sole purpose of getting the unemployed out of those two cities and dumping them into a country where there is nothing to do with no chance of getting enough to eat even.  The men are willing to work and say they will not starve as long as there are provisions in the country that they can get, even if they have to resort to force to obtain them.”

“Hungry Men will Eat,” Brainerd Dispatch, Brainerd, Minnesota, Friday June 29, 1894 under Local News, 2nd column.

In 1893 there was a major economic panic.  If you just Google “Panic of 1893″ you will get many hits on the subject.   Here is a link to an article about this panic: http://eh.net/encyclopedia/article/whitten.panic.1893

So there were many contributing events going on that were causing a lot of problems for many people so this article is not too surprising.  Apparently George Angus Barclay was doing well in spite of the economic troubles for he was about to build the Barclay Hotel.

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Over the Fence: June 9, 16, 24, 1894: The Railroad and Other Items of Interest in Pine River!

More news about the railroad coming to Pine River appears in the Brainerd Tribune for June 9, 1894:

1. George Barclay returned from Brainerd last Friday.

2. The engineers are pretty near through with surveying the line for the new railroad, and work will soon begin. Sooner the better.

3. Last Monday a delegation of railroad magnates called on Mayor Ed Allen to ascertain if the city authorities of Pine River would grant the new railroad the right of way through our main street, where they now have their stakes drove, and after a short council it was granted. Watch our smoke.

4. F. H. Kimball the chief engineer, came up from Brainerd last night.

NOTE:  There is a notation that an F.H. Kimball was the architect for the Reading Railroad’s headhouse terminal in 1891 at Wikipedia was this the same man?

June 16, 1894 the Brainerd Tribune reports:

1. Paddy McDonald, the Duluth railroad contractor, was in Pine River last week looking over the route of the new road.

Note:  According to the Duluth Township Newsletter pg 5, July 2006:

“Paddy McDonald ran the crew that cleared the trees and brush from along the right of way. He was a well-known pugilist (Boxer) who had fought some very noted heavyweight contenders. He was also the man who was entrusted by the railroad to carry the payroll by dogsled from Duluth to Two Harbors and then Soudan before the track was completed to there. Alone and at night, he carried in excess of $16,000 in gold and silver coins contained in a heavy wooden box with lid nailed down. A formidable foe with either deadly weapons or fists, he was a man to be reckoned with. Now he ran the crews engaged in clearing the line.”

2. Mr. Grant, the Faribault railroad contractor, was here last Wednesday looking over the line of the proposed new road.

3. Last Week George Barclay located some farmers from Todd County who are hunting homesteads in Cass county. Emigration to Pine River will soon commence.

4. We will soon have the cars passing our doors now. The last line that was run passes the front of the house so near that its necessary to tear the old house down and build a new one. We’ll build a solid brick block to start the town booming. Hurrah for Pine River!

5. George Barclay returned from a cruising trip last Sunday and says the country is all on fire over toward Woman Lake. He had a narrow escape from being killed by a falling tree whilst coming home.  

Note:  I tried to find out more about this fire but online lead me to the big one that occurred in later in September of 1894.

June 24, 1894 the Brainerd Tribune has these items of interest:

1. George Barclay left last Tuesday for the twin cities and Chicago. He will be gone about two weeks.

2. Mr. Foley, who has the contract for building the new railroad , was here last Saturday.

3. When the new railroad is completed as far as Pine River,  Mayor Ed Allen will issue invitations to all city authorities between here and St. Paul.

Note:  The Minnesota Historical Society  has an excellent newspaper collection and I have visited this archive on several occasions 2000, 2001, 2007.  The Brainerd Tribune was only one newspaper that I studied.  I had prepared a spreadsheet with date events for each person/surname I was targeting.  I had studied the society’s holdings in advance so that I knew which newspapers were at what times and dates.  I was then able to pull the microfilm reels to access the newspapers quickly.  Newspaper research is hard work and takes time, so if you can prepare yourself before going to an archive it helps a great deal to save time.   It doesn’t hurt to practice at home before going on your trip.  Where do they place obituaries and funeral notices, where are important stories placed, what are the sections of the newspaper etc.  Newspapers can add little pieces of information that can make the lives of your ancestors more interesting.  Each newspaper is a little different so you need to take your time and get us to the format when you first begin.  Also the time frame of the newspaper can mean a different focus.  Most newspapers in the earlier part of the 1800′s did not really have obituaries unless you were wealthy and were more business oriented. The gossip columns or the news of different local areas did not show up till about the 1880′s.

So what do you think was George Barclay’s reason to go to the Twin Cities and Chicago for two weeks?  I would love to know why he went on this trip.  I do know that Grace, his daughter was at school in the Twin Cities at the time.  Why Chicago?

The Minnesota Historical Society & Me 2007

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Over the Fence News: June 2, 1894 – Pine River Events: G.A.R., coming of the RR & Robbery at Jenkins

The year of 1894 was a very busy year for the Barclays of Pine River, Minnesota.  The following news was reported in the Brainerd Tribune June 2, 1894:

G.A.R. Badge

1) “Mr. & Mrs. Barclay came up from Brainerd last Sunday, returning Tuesday for Decoration Day.

Note:  Decoration Day is now known as Memorial Day http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Army_of_the_Republic

2) George Barclay went to Brainerd to-day to attend the G.A.R. ceremonies on Decoration day, he being master of transportation.

Note:  George was a member of the G.A.R. Pap Thomas Post No. 30 in Brainerd.  Unfortunately their records were lost in a fire in 1910.  There are some records at the Minnesota Historical Society but they are from 1914 to 1920 and that is too late for my needs.

3) The mayor and council will visit Brainerd as soon as the palace sleeping cars are running on our new railroad.

This link will take you to an interesting article with pictures and diagrams of what a palace car was like.

ttp://www.midcontinent.org/rollingstock/builders/pullman1.htm

4) H.B. Frey came up from Minneapolis last Tuesday, looking after the engineers of the new railroad.

Mr. Frey seemed to be in the business of buying land for he appears in the land records for the St. Cloud office in Minnesota on a great many occasions.

5) Last Monday night about eleven o’clock some persons attempted to go through George Jenkins’ warehouse and got left. The thieves, whoever they were, were not on to their job. They carried a light and made too much noise. They were surprised by one of the hired men who happened to hear them after he was in bed. He got up and loaded his Winchester and ordered them to halt, but not complying with his request he fired and the next morning he found flour, beans and pork, also a piece of a shirt all covered with blood. It’s a pity he did not find the man as George Barclay has suffered likewise. The parties are known and had better be more careful. We don’t want any of the Coxey army up here.”  

I didn’t know anything about what or who the Coxey army was so I found this Wikipedia article that explained a lot.  Just do a Google search and you will get many hits on this subject: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coxey’s_Army  It had something to do with the 1893 Panic which sort of reminds me of the financial crash a few years back, something about banks failing:  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panic_of_1893

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Henry and Elizabeth Spracklin’s Family

Henry and Elizabeth had a big family and it is a bit complicated.  This is not my family line.  Any additional research that I have done on this family was to learn more about Daniel, the father, and to help my cousin Jerry in any way that I could.  He is the authority on the Henry F. Spracklin and Elizabeth (Downey) Spracklin family, so bare with me.

The children of Henry and Elizabeth (Downey) Spracklin, here I have 11 children:

1.  Harry Spracklin was born 1 June 1876, Sigourney, Keokuk Co., Iowa and died 8 August 1927 Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa, buried Fairmount Cemetery in Davenport, no stone.  He married Frieda H. Ackerman born about 1877 in Davenport.  She died about 1937 in probably Davenport.  Her death is a guess on my part and needs to be further researched.  Harry and Frieda had 10 children: Dorothy Elizabeth, Leroy, Herbert, George Wilbert, Richard, Bertha Sophia, Florence Margaret, Hanna, Harold Lester, and Alice Margaret. 

Harry was also killed when a tree fell on him.  As a result of his death, a guardianship was created using his Spanish-American War pension to cover expenses for most of his children.  This guardianship spanned 20 years and 3 guardians.  It is this guardianship that details the lives of his troubled kids.  I will go into more detail in a future post, here is the source information. 

Source:  Harry Spracklin Probate Packet #1543779, 1928 – 2nd Series, #12989-13048, 1928-1938, District Court, Scott Co., Iowa, FHL#1493218, Probate Index 1834-1958 FHL#1479397 Item 1. 

An obituary notice for Harry was located in the Davenport Democrat & Leader, July 1, 1927-8/31/1927, Monday Evening, August 22, 1927, State Historical Society, Iowa City, Iowa.

Spracklin: Harry LeRoy Spracklin, 51, passed away at his home, 731 1/2 West Second street, at 5:30 a.m. today following an illness of three weeks duration. The deceased was born Jan. 4, 1876, at Sigourney, Iowa. He moved to Davenport with his parents when a small boy and has since resided here. Mr. Spracklin was a Spanish-American war veteran, and served in Cuba. He is survived by his wife, Frieda Spracklin; three sons, Le Roy, George and Harold, four daughters, Mrs. Dorothy Sievert, Bertha, Florence and Alice, all of Davenport; two sisters and five brothers. The body was taken to the Stapleton funeral parlors, from where services will be held Wednesday morning at 8:15 o’clock, with services at 3:30 at St. Anthony’s church. Interment will be made in Fairmont cemetery.

2. Edward Oliver Spracklin born 22 April 1877 in Iowa and died before 1940 in Napa, Napa Co., California.   Edward was drafted and appears in the WWI Selective Service System Draft Registration Cards 1917-1918, National Archives M1509, Roll #1544334

Registration Card: #693, A98, Edward Oliver Spracklin, Montaque, Siskiyou, California, age 41, Born April 22, 1877, Employer: Warehouse, Standard Oil Co., Monteque, Siskiyou, California. Contact Mrs. Elizabeth Spracklin, Davenport, Scott, Iowa. Registrar’s Report 4-3-20.C. Height medium, build medium, eyes brown, hair black. Signed Sept 12, 1918 by Chas. E. Wright. Local Board in Yreka, Siskiyou, California.

Edward also obtained a land patent BLM Serical #CAS0007137, #747943 Record Accession/Serial, Mt. Diablo, CA. Siskiyou for 160 acres.

He is listed in the Veterans Home of California in the 1930 Census for Napa Twp.,  Napa Co., California, ED28-22 SD5, Sheet 5A, 241, Ancestry.com.

3.  Margaret Evalena Spracklin born 21 January 1881 in Davenport, died November 1965 in Florida. She married 26 August 1896 in Davenport to a David E. Parke and had 3 children: Ortha Raymond 16 Feb 1900 to 5 April, 1924 (Oakdale Memorial Park in Davenport) , Earl David b. Duluth, MN and Viola R. Parke. 

Source: Located in the “P” section, #15458 Parke, Earl E infant, Parke David father, Maggie Spracklin mother, Book 5, pg. 20.  Birth Registrations Iowa (Index), Scott Co., Iowa – Vols 1-5 1880-1897 FHL#1004408 and FHL#2070905.

Here is an obituary notice for Ortha:

Parke – Ortha Raymond Parke, passed away at his home in the Walsh Apartments at 6:40 o’clock this morning, after 18 weeks of illness. He was born in Davenport Feb. 16, 1900, and was educated in the Davenport schools, and has been employed as an usher at the Fort Armstrong theater. Surviving are the parents, Mr. and Mrs. David E. Parke, one brother, Earl David Parke of Duluth, Minn. and one sister, Miss Viola R. at home. The maternal grandmother, Mrs. J.S. Newton of Fairfield, Fla. also survives. Funeral services will be held Monday afternoon at 2 o’clock from Runge’s chapel, and interment will be made in Oakdale Cemetery. Source: The Davenport Democrat and Leader, Sept. 5, 1924.  Davenport newspaper pg. 23, April 5, 1924.

4. Sophia Spracklin born 23 January 1881 and died probably 1881 in Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa.

Return of Birth: Child named Sophia, female in Davenport on Jan. 23, 1881 to Henry Spracklin born in Knox Co., Ohio. Elizabeth Downey born at Cambria Co., Pennsylvania, Mother’s residence 9 Street, father is a laborer, attendant Jane Gray, Dated Davenport 1881, Residence 951 East 14th St.  Another researcher either found at the Iowa Genealogical Society or State Historical in Des Moines.

Another source:  FHL#2070905 Births Scott Co., pg. 241 Skips 1906 to 1914 no Spracklins listed again #1682, 987 Sophia Spracklin Feb. 18, 1881.

5. Wilbur Spracklin born about 1885 in Muscatine Co., Iowa. 

6. Flora Spracklin born about 1883 in Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa.

7. John Daniel Spracklin, born 7 August 1884. 

8. Elizabeth Ann Spracklin born 24 July 1886 in Davenport, died July 1986 in Tulsa, Oklahoma.  She married a Charles Richard Madison Burford 10 September 1903 in Sola, Camaguey, Cuba. Charles the father was born 3 January 1878 in Lewis Co., Missouri and died August 1967 in Coral Gables, Miami-Dade, Florida. 

They had three children: 

1.  Lillian E. Burford born about 1916 in Iowa.

2.  Betty A. Burford, born about 1915

3. Richard Demmit Burford II, born 22 June 1920 Des Moines, Polk Co., Iowa and died around 1983 at Fort Smith, Sebastian, Arkansas.  Richard married Catherine Blanche Lemberg and had 3 children:  1) Richard Demmitt Burford III, 2) Charles Frederick Burford, and 3) Catherine Blanche Burford.

9. Elmer George Spracklin born 15 September, 1888, in Davenport, died 6 July 1963 in Persia, Harrison Co., Iowa.  He is buried in the St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, Shelby Co., Iowa.  Elmer married Ellen (Nellie) Bendon on the 28th of March, 1914 in Davenport.  Ellen was born about 1889 in Portsmouth, Shelby Co., Iowa and died around 1966 in Persia, Harrison Co., Iowa.  She is also buried in St. Mary’s.  Her parents were Simon Bendon (1843-1928) and Anastasia Agnes Wagner (1845-1928). 

A Tribute published in the pages of The Council Bluffs newspaper, Council Bluffs, Iowa – July 6, 1963.

Elmer Spracklin - Funeral services were held on Monday at 10am for Elmer Spracklin, 74, at his home in Persia with Father Wilwerding officiating. He died suddenly of a heart attack at his home Saturday morning. He had been a farmer and a trucker in the Harrison and Shelby County areas most of his life. Mr. Spracklin was born in Davenport. He is survived by his widow, Nellie, four daughters, Mrs. Ruth Ditzler of Council Bluffs; Mrs. Irene Pitt of Persia; Mrs. Margaret Peterson of Mondamin and Mrs. Francis Elias of Ute. Three sons, John and Max of Council Bluffs, Don of Valley, Nebr., A brother Elroy Spracklin of Michigan, a sister Mrs. Bessie Burford in Florida; 18 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. Pallbearers were Walter Kuster, John Greiner, Woodrow Wilson, William Wilson, Murie Fitzgerald, Russell Ickes. Burial was at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth.

Elmer and Nellie’s family

Elmer and Ellen had 8 children:

1.  Ruth Spracklin born 13 April 1913 in Portsmouth, Shelby Co., Iowa and died Jul. 1981.  She married a Louis Ditzler born 3 January 1906 in Portsmouth and died Aug 1968 in Council Bluffs, Potawattamie Co., Iowa.  They had 3 children:  Marjorie, Ruth and Rita.

2.  Irene Spracklin born 19 March 1917 in Portsmouth and died February 1881.  She married an Owen Pitt born 20 April 1912 in Persia, Harrison Co., Iowa.

3.  John Edward Spracklin born 11 April 1919 in Portsmouth and died 25 Oct. 1991 in Omaha, Douglas Co. Nebraska.  He was buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  John married Gilda L. George born 11 April 1923 in Muscatine, Muscatine, Iowa and died 11 December 1989 in Omaha, Douglas, Nebraska.  She is buried in Council Bluffs.  John and Gilda had 10 children of which there are living descendants.

4.  Pauline Spracklin was born 25 October 1922 in Portsmouth and died June 1979 in Portsmouth and is buried in St. Mary’s Cemetery in Portsmouth, Shelby Co., Iowa.

5.  Margaret Spracklin was born 8 May 1924 in Portsmouth.  She married a Donald Fisher and also a Donald Peterson and had two children by Peterson.

6.  Maxmillio Spracklin was born 26 April 1926 in Iowa and died 22 March 1998 in Council Bluffs, Iowa.  Max had two children but I do not know his wife’s name.

7.  Donald Spracklin born 28 Jan 1928 in Portsmouth, married Delores Chapman born 7 May 1932.  They had one child. 

8.  Francis Spracklin was born 5 September 1930 in Portsmouth and died 26 April 2002 in Council Bluffs.  She married Ronald Elias. 

10. Raymond Otha Spracklin born 17 Sep. 1890 in Davenport, died 17 Jan 1935 in Harrison Co., Iowa.  He is buried in the Lytle Cemetery in Harrison Co., Iowa.  He married Minne Hansen 5 July 1932 and they had one daughter: Donna Rae.

Ray was a Veteran of World War I.

Obituary of Ray Spracklin - Residents of this vicinity were greatly shocked Thursday afternoon Jan. 17, to learn that Raymond Spracklin had been fatally injured by a tree falling on him. He and his two step-sons Charlie and Donald Newland, had gone to the timber of Jim Foley, two miles sought of Persia, and were cutting a tree. They had planned to fall the tree north and had placed the wedge in the south cut of the tree. Mr. Spracklin hit the wedge, but instead of the tree tipping over it jumped off the stump to the north, causing the tree to fall south. Ray tried to get out-of-the-way but the limb hit him, fractured his skull and broke both legs, bruised his body. The boys went for help at once. Mr. Foley, who was the first come sawed the limb so it could be removed from his body. Mrs. Foley also helped till W. E. Becker came with his ambulance and took him to the Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs where he passed away at 7:30. Raymond Otha Spracklin was born Sept. 17, 1890 and died Jan. 17, 1935, at the Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs at the age of 45 years and 4 months. He was married July 5, 1932 to Minne Hansen. To this union one daughter was born, Donna Rae. He leaves to mourn his departure, his wife and daughter and seven step-children; Blanche of Council Bluffs, Anabelle, Dorothy, Charles, Mable, Donald and Kathryn all at home. He also leaves his mother, two sisters and several brothers. He was a loving father. His children’s comfort was his first thought. Funeral sevices will be held Saturday afternoon at the Latter Day Saints Church in Persia at 1:30 conducted by Elder Wm. Chambers of that church. Ray was well-known in this community, having spent part of his life here and his many friends will be grieved to learn of his passing.

This obituary was found in The Republican Newspaper of Harlan, Iowa on Thurs Jan 31, 1935.

11.  Elroy Franklin Spracklin born 23 January 1891 in Scott Co., Iowa and died 27 Oct. 1971 Thonotosassa, Hillsborough, Florida. He married Mary Dohoney 21 June 1913 in Davenport.  She was born about 1895 in Chicago and died 4 February 1920.  She is buried in St. Margueriite’s Cemetery in Davenport. They had four children. 

I hope I have presented this family as correctly as possible.  There is a lot more information to share.  There was a lot of research done in vital records, census, city directories, newspapers and more. If you would like to know more about these families please contact me.  Most of the information found was through the efforts of my cousin Jerry.  He gave me his permission to present this information to you.

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Murder in Pine River: Pat Ryan, Summer 1891

According to several newspaper accounts, George Angus Barclay was accused of selling liquor in violation of state law. Here is one article that makes this accusation.

The article appeared in the Brainerd Dispatch on July 17, 1891 (Vol. 10, #35) on the front page about a murder near George’s Ranch.  The article spans two columns and goes the length of the front page.  Here is a small portion of it.

Murder near Barclay Ranch 1891

Stabbed in the Stomach, Pat Ryan is Murdered near

George Barclay’s Ranch with a Butcher Knife. 

Squaw-Man, White Men and Red Men All take a Hand in The Fiendish Bloody Tragedy.

 The unlawful selling of Liquor at the Bottom of the Murderous Mess.

“Patrick Ryan was murdered at Barclay’s lumber ranch on Saturday morning last by being stabbed in the stomach three times with a butcher knife, and his body lay bleeding in the hot rays of the sun until the authorities arrived from Brainerd on Sunday. 

On Saturday afternoon a Frenchman names Philip Provo, came to this city and notified Coroner Bain that the murder had been committed, who immediately procured assistance in the person of J. McNaughton, and started for the scene, which is 89 miles from Brainerd, in the vicinity of White Fish Lake and Pine River.  They arrived there the next morning and found a sickening sight.  Ryan’s body lay some 300 yards from Barclay’s ranch at the Indian camps in a pool of clotted blood.  The butcher knife which did the bloody work lay beside the man’s inanimate form which was cut and slashed in many pieces.  In his stomach were three cuts, any one of which would have caused death.  The back of both hands were cut and also his arms, and on the back of his head was a bruise as if made with a gun, and the supposition of many is that he was knocked down and then finished with the knife.  Coroner Bain called a jury together and during that day and the next they labored studiously to get at the facts in the case, swearing witnesses, taking testimony, and going over the ground.  The result of their deliberations was that Patrick Ryan met his death at the hands of Fred Ellis, a squaw-man, Wabash-can-we-gut, or White Cloud, a Leech Lake Indian, Waugh-bugh-chek, a White Oak Point Indian, and Cang-gee-geeluc, chief of the Cass Lake tribe. 

Just as the jury had reached this decision Sheriff Spalding arrived, he not having been notified until Sunday of the occurrence, and then only by rumor.  The parties charged with the murder were all there and he put them under arrest and started for Brainerd that night, going as far as Jenkins.’  Here the party put up for the night, at being late and very dark.  In the middle of the night Cang-gee-geeluc complained of being very ill, and his hand-cuffs were loosened, and as he seemed to get worse Coroner Bain gave him an emetic, the red man almost throwing up his moccasins–in the absence of boots.  In a short time he began rubbing his stomach and moaning again, and said he was “heep sick,” so the dose was again given him with a similar result, and as he had emptied the pail the first time he did so the second time, but as he stepped to the door he gave a jump into the darkness and was gone.  The Indian had played a very sharp trick.  It was useless to follow him, and the party came on to Brainerd the next morning and landed the three prisoners in the county jail.  They were brought up before the court for hearing on Wednesday, but Ellis said there were some witnesses he desired at Barclay’s, in the persons of two squaws who he claims saw the whole transaction, the hearing was postponed until Monday at 10 o’clock.

As near as can be ascertained from the parties who went up from Brainerd and the testimony given at the coroner’s inquest, the murder was the outcome of a drunken brawl, which was participated in by white man and Indians, and to judge from the scarred countenances of the witnesses and prisoners it must have been a terrible encounter.  It seems that at Barclay’s whisky and beer is sold as freely as in any saloon in Brainerd, and has been for some length of time in violation of the state law, and on this particular day “the boys” were having a high old-time.  Fred Ellis, who lives with a squaw at that place, came to Barclay’s in the evening, after having had a fight with his dusky wife, in which the red men at the wigwams interfered and gave him the worst of it.  He obtained some court-plaster, washed his wounds, and in company with Patrick Ryan stepped up to the bar and drank for thirty minutes, according to his sworn statement.  Ryan volunteered to go with him and “fix the Indians plenty,” and they started.  Ryan never came back alive, and his body was found next morning with a butcher knife lying beside it which belonged to Ellis, who accounts for it by saying that in the fight in the fore part of the evening the Indians took his knife and revolver.  Ellis says an Indian chased him and he ran leaving Ryan at the camp, and he finally came back and went to bed with the other fellows, and that in the morning Billy Burnet came and told them Ryan had been killed.  The case is a complicated one  The Indian who escaped was covered with blood and said he got it by holding Ryan in his arms when he died, he, and the Indians had been attracted to the spot by groans, and upon arriving found the man in a dying condition.  It is more than probable that the Indian will be recaptured and every effort is being made in that direction.  No one is to blame for losing him ____ the cunning known to people of his tribe was brought into play.  Philip Provo was arrested on Tuesday and is being held, but from what we can learn the evidence is not very strong against him.  Ryan’s body was brought to the city on Monday night and buried in Evergreen Cemetery.  A gentlemen who lives at Faribault, telegraphed to have it sent to him, then after they had prepared it for shipment he telegraphed back that they had found their son in Denver, alive and well, and that the murdered man was no relation of theirs.  The following is the testimony of the important witnesses at the coroner’s inquest…”

The article continues with more testimony from Charles Ashland, Ellis’ Statement, Mamie Vagwin, Philip Provo, and White Cloud which doesn’t really tell much but actually gets more confusing. 

I tried to locate this Coroner file but did not find one in the Crow Wing records which go back to 1887.  It might be in another location?  Cass County records start in 1898 at the Minnesota Historical Society in St. Paul on one of my trips.  I have not check state law at the time. 

Articles like this give an idea of what life might have been like for George, Amarilla and my grandmother Grace in Pine River.

 

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1890: Alexander Barclay, Awarded Civil War Pension!

Alexander Barclay, George’s brother, was awarded his civil war pension on the 20th of December 1890.  Alexander was living in Eureka Township, Dakota County, Minnesota at that time.

I sent for Alexander’s Civil War Pension file 18 April 2001 and it came 22 May 2001.  I filled out the National Archives Order for Copies of Federal Pensionor Bounty Land Warrant Applications which means I did very well and it came within a month.

NARA (The National Archives)  has an online order system now and it  works pretty well.   The other option is to hire a professional genealogist and have them go and obtain the documents for you.   There is a National Capital Area Chapter of APG  It is actually better to consider this option because they know what they are doing and will make sure you get all the correct documents.   The cost of ordering a Civil War pension went up a few years back and it is expensive to pay the fee.  I can recommend someone if you need help.  Just leave a comment. 

Alexander Barclay’s Civil War Pension contained the following documents:

1.  Soldier’s Certificate – Priv and Copr. Co. Ch. 4 Minn Vol. Inf. #14078, #31

The Cover Jacket to Alex’s Civil War Pension

2.  August 19th, 1890 – Invalid Pension – State of Minnesota, County of Dakota, 19th of August, appeared before a notary public Alexandria Barclay, 46 years, resident of Farminton, county of Dakota, State of Minnesota, …duly sworn and according to law is the Alexandria Barclay who enrolled on 1 January 1864 as Corp. in Co. C, 4 Reg. Minn Inf. Vol. and was honorably discharged at Louisville, Ky, on the 19th day of July, 1865…That he is unable to earn a support by reason of Rheumatism…That he has not yet applied for pension under application not yet given.  PO is Farmington, county of Dakota, Minnesota, Claimant’s signature – A.A. Barclay, Attest L.T. Fluke and G.S. Cable.  Also personally appeared L.F. Fluke residing in Farmington and G.S. Cable residing in Farmington.  …saw Alexandria Barclay the claimant sign…acquaintenance for 18 years – signed L.P. Fluke and G.S. Cable, Sworn to ….19th August 1890.  Leonard Aldrich notary public, Dakota County, Minn.   #38701 Soldier’s Application – Alex Barclay – filed by Travis and Brown.  Date of Execution Aug. 19, 1890.

3.  August 23, 1890 – Invalid Pension – Claimant Alexander Barclay, Farmington, Dakota County, Minnesota, Rank Priv and Corp. Co. C, Regiment 4, Minn Vol. Inf. Rate $12.00 commencing Aug. 23, 1890.  Disability Rheumatism and disease of heart and rectum.

4.  August 28, 1890 – Card – J.E. [Hust] Ex’r No. 944426, Alexandria A. Barclay P.O. Farmington, Dakota Co., Minn, C 4 Minn. Inf. Enlisted:  January 1, 1864, Discharged July 19, 1865, Application filed Aug. 23, 1890.  No other claims, Num. No. 380901, Attorney Travis & Brown, Crawfordville, Ind.

5.  December 16, 1890 – Soldier’s Application filed by John H. Mullen Adjutant General of Minnesota, St. Paul, Minn.  Declaration for Invalid Pension – State of Minnesota, County of Dakota, 16 December…appeared before a Notary Public…the aforesaid Alexander A. Barclay who was enrolled on the Twenty fifth day of September A.D. 1861 in Co. C of the 4th Regiment Minn. Vol. Infy. …was honorably discharged at Louisville, KY. on the 19th of July 1865…and he is now unable to earn a support by reason of Rheumatism.  PO address is Farmington, County of Dakota, State of Minnesota.  Signed by A.A. Barclay and witnesses are H. H. Williamson and C.G. Thyle.   H.H. Williamson resident of South St. Paul and C.G. Thyle residing at Farmington. …say they were present and saw Alexander A. Barclay the claimant sign…acquaintance with him for 20 years and 4 years respectively.  Signed by H.H. Williamson and C.G. Thyle.  Sworn..16th December 1890.  Leonard Aldrich Nortary Public. 

6.  February 5, 1891 – Delaration for Invalid Army Pension – Minnesota, County of Dakota.  On this 5th day of February 1891 personally appeared before me a notary public, Alexander Barclay, aged 47 years, resident of Farmington, County of Dakota, State of Minnesota….declares he is the identical Alexander Barclay who enlisted in the service of the United States at Ft. Snelling, County of Hennepin, State of Minnesota on the 25th day of October 1861 as a Corporal in Company C of the 4th Regiment of Minnesota Infantry Vols and was honorably discharged at Louisville, State of Kentucky on the 19th day of July 1865. 

That his personal description is as follows:  Age 47 years, height 5 feet 3.5 inches, complexion light, hair light,  eyes hazel…in the service…near a place in the State of North Carolina in the Fall of 1864 While on Sherman’s March to the Sea he contracted the disease of Rheumatism which was caused by the long march and the severe explosure.  Ever since to the present he has been afflicted with said malady, and he based this claim for pension upon Rheumatism. 

Since leaving the service he has resided in Minnesota…his occupation has been that of a Laborer…That he is now So disabled from obtaining his subsistence by manual labor by reason of his injuries…

He hereby appoints with full power …Travis and Brown of Crawfordsville, Indiana his ture and lawful attorney to prosecute his claim.  That he has not received nor applied for pension….Signed by Alexander Barclay.  Witnesses W. A. Gray and J.M. D. Craft…have known him for 15 years and his occupation has been that of a laborer.  Signed by Leonard Aldrich, Notary Public, Dakota County, Minnestoa. #944426 – Invalid Pension Original Claim of Alexander Barclay, of Capt. Rufus P. Wells, Company C, Reg’t 4, Minnesota Infty Enlisted October 25, 1861, discharged July 19, 1865. 

7.  Feb 9, 1891 – Card #944426, Alexander Barclay, Farmington, Minn, Service: Corp C, 4, Minnes. Inf., Enlisted:  October 25, 1861, Discharged: July 19, 1865.  Application filed:  Feb. 9, 1891, Attorney Travis & Brown, Crawfordsville, Ind.   Another card with not much on it.

8.  June 13, 1891 – Dept. of the Interior:  West Div., GEB Ex’r No. 944428, Washington D.C. June 13, 1891, It is alleged that Alexander Barclay enlisted Oct. 25, 1861 and served as Corporal in Co. C, 4 Reg’t Minn. Inf. and was discharged at Louisville, KY, July 19, 1865.  It is also alleged that while on duty during Sherman’s march to sea on or about Fall of 1864 he was disabled by Rheumatism.  Signed by [G...B. Raum] Commissioner.

9.  Jun 16, 1891 – #944426 War Department Record and Pension Division, Alexander Barkley, Co. C, Reg’t 4 Minn Inft. enrolled Sept 25, 1861 and d.c. July 19, 1865, From Aug. 31, 1864 to Feby 28, 1865 he held the rank of Corporal.  Other research furnish nothing additional bearing upon this case.  No medical records found.  H. Ainsworth, Captain and Ass’t. Suregon, U.S. Army.

10.  July 15, 1891 – Surgeon’s Certificate in the case of Alexander Barclay, Co. C, 4 Reg’t, Minn, Inf. Applicant for Original #944426.  Date of Examination July 15, 1891.  Signed by Board – H.O. Smith M.D. Pres., G.R. Moloney M.D., Sec’y, J.P. Caldwell M.D., Treas. P.O. Shakopee, County of Scott, State of Minn. 

Original Pension Claim No. 944426, Alexander Barclay, Rank Pvt & Corp. Company C, 4 Reg’t, Minn, Inf. shakopee, Minn. Claimant P.O. Farmington, Minn. July 15, 1891.  Cause of disability Rheumatism.  Says he has rheumatism in the past five years.  Upon examination:  Pulse rate 88, respiration 18, temperature 98 1/2, height 5 ft. 5 1/2 inches, weight 130 pounds, age 47 years. 

Body well nourished, skin healthy, tongue coated brown, gums healthy, conjunctiva congested, arcus senilis in both eyes, Pterygiun in both eyese, liver trudy on pressure, spleen tender on pressure, he has sciatica along the whole course of sciatica on left side, there is arthristic rheumatism of both shoulder & elbow joints with crepitation in all.  There is no enlargment of joints but much tenderness on pressure.  Motion of all said joints is limited about one half.  The rect muscle of back on right side are very much hardened and those on the left side are atrophied, motion of hip and knee joints on right side are limited about one half.  Motion of similar joints on left side is somewhat less, hearts action feeble with slightly stenosis of the Aortic valve apea beat about 1 1/2 inches below left nipple, pulse after coming up on flight of stairs registers 10 f. Rectum congested two pil tumors 1/2 an inche in diameter each.  No other disease found to exist. 

He is in our opinion entitled to a 12/18 rating for the disability caused by Rheumatism & 2/18 for the cause of Piles and 9/18 for the caused by other disabilities. Signed by Smith, Moloney and Caldwell – the Board.

11.  January 15, 1898 – #662988 Dept. of the Interior, Alexander Barclay.  Are you married? Answer:  I was never married and have no adopted children.  Date: July 4th, 1898, Signed Alexander Barclay. 

12.  June 9, 1906 – Pensioner Dropped, U.S. Pension Agency, Milwaukee, Wis. INVALID, Class June 27th, 1890, Soldier:  Alexander Barclay, Service Pri & Corp. Co. 4 Minn.  Paid at $12.00 to October 4, 1905.  Dropped:  Death 9 Dec. 1905, E.D. Coe US Pension Agent.

13.  Card June 9, 1906 – Cert No. 662988, Alexander Barclay, Issued Sept. 29, 1891, Mailed October 10, 1891.  Rate and Period:  $12, from Aug. 23, 1890.  Dropped Jun 9, 1906.  Dead.

In 26 November 1891 Alexander joined his local GAR Canby Post #47. This is the Grand Army of the Republic.  Wikipedia has an article with references about this organization which was very popular during the later part of the 1800′s and early 1900′s.  The records are hit and miss but still worth trying to find.  You may find them in the state archives or check in the local area at a genealogical society or historical. 

The GAR has a museum in Philadelphia that might be worth checking out:  http://garmuslib.org/  This organization concentrates on PA and NY but they might be able to advise how to find the local GAR in a specific area?

The History of Dakota County, City of Hastings, 1891 by Rev. Edward D. Neill and J. Fletcher Williams, pg. 380-381, North Star Publishing 1881, talked a little about Alexander’s experiences. 

“Alexander A. Barclay was born in Hartford, Connecticut, 1843. Came to Minnesota with his brother at the age of twelve years and settled in Scott county. In 1861, he enlisted in Company C, First Minnesota Volunteer Infantry and at the expiration of the ninety day’s term, re-enlisted in Company C, Fourth Minnesota, serving in the army of the Tennessee through the war; participated in the leading battles of that army, among which were the siege at Vicksburg, Atlanta, and on the “March to the Sea.” His command took part in the grand review at Washington in June 1865, and was finally mustered out at Louisville, Kentucky, in July of that year. Mr. Barclay returned to Scott County, and in 1872, removed to his present home in Eureka township.”

Unfortunately I do not have a picture of my great great Uncle and I tried to find something to represent his journey and participation in this review.

Wikipedia has an article about the Grand Review.  It was the parade that took place in Washington D.C. at the end of the Civil War.  This article suggests other sources that have more photographs of this event.  I was told that it would be very difficult to find photographs because they didn’t have the expertise at the time to take pictures of moving objects.  Perhaps I should have kept digging.  The Library of Congress might be another possibility.  There is a great photograph of the soldiers on their horses riding down the street at this article and other articles with photos: 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Grand_Review_of_the_Armies

 

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Catching up with Alexander Barclay: Dakota County, MN

It is now time to catch up with Alexander Barclay.  After the 1870 U.S. Federal Census, George left for Brainerd and then headed to Pine River leaving his brother Alexander Barclay behind in Dakota County, Minnesota. 

It would be interesting to know the reasons these two brothers went their separate ways.  I do know they kept in touch. 

In the post dated August 19, 2010 “After the Civil War- George and Alexander Try Farming?” I describe the 1870 U.S. Federal census and the 1875 Minnesota State Census.  In these census Alex is living alone or rather in a separate household, yet he is next to the Giles family.  George Barclay his brother is not listed as we have noted before.

Alex is in Eureka Twp., Dakota County, Minnesota in the 1880 U.S. Federal Census and the Giles family are included under his household listing?  I think R.J. should be R.I. for Rhode Island?

Line 4, 157, 267 Barclay, A.A., male, 40 years old, born in Connecticut, parents both born in Scotland, occupation farmer, single.

Line 5, 208, Giles, Francey, W, F, 50, widowed, keeping house, born Mass, parents born Mass.  Giles, Lorence, W, M, 14, son, single, farm laborer,  born Minn, father born [R.J.] , mother born Mass. 

Line 8, 158, 209, Giles, [Leonza] w, m, 31, married, farmer, born R.J., father born R.J., mother R.J. , Giles, mary, w, f, 26, wife, married keeping house, born [Canada], parents born Ireland.  Giles, Hattie, w, f, 7, daughter, born Minn. Giles, Edward, w, m, 5, son, born Minn. Giles, Sarah, w, f, 2, daughter, born Minn. Giles, George, w, m, 2/12, son born Minn.  Giles, Henry, w, m, 22, brother, farm laborer, born Minn.

Source:  1880 U.S. Federal Census, Eureka, Dakota Co., Minnesota, pg. 18, SD 2, ED 801, enumerated on June 22, 1880. Ancestry.com.

According to the Minnesota Cemetery Inscriptions Index at Ancestry.com a David D. Giles died on 25 July 1879 and is buried in Corinthian Cemetery.  He was 59 yrs. old, 6 mos and 5 das.  His spouse was Fannie Anderson Giles.  He is in the SW section of the cemetery.  I have been to this cemetery and it is in Farmington, Dakota County, MN.  

What the relationship is between Alexander and the Giles family is still a bit of a mystery and if Fannie’s maiden name is Anderson, I am now more puzzled? 

The interesting fact is that if you fast forward to 1896 Alexander was living in Lakeville Township not Eureka Township which indicates perhaps the boundaries changed? 

I have not had the opportunity to do deed research on Alexander.  The Family History Library has very little on land records for Dakota County, Minnesota and Minnesota as a whole.  So I guess that means another trip to Minnesota?

Alexander Barclay's Location

The location is section 34 in Lakeville to the south and east right on the border of the two townships of Lakeville and Eureka. 

Alexander Barclay's Land (Green Circle)

Source:  Plate book of Dakota County, Minnesota, by Bertine F. Pinkney, The Union Publishing Co., Philadelphia 1896, pg. 19 and 20.  I consulted a copy while researching in Minnesota in 2007.  The Minnesota Historical Society has a collection of these atlas’ on line at “Minnesota Maps Online.” http://www.mnhs.org/collections/digitalmaps/index.htm

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