The organization of Cass County and the establishment of Walker as the county seat was taking place but at the same time George Barclay was also involved with business, local events, and family happenings. I return to the gossip columns in the newspaper and learn that Grace and Amarilla were both mentioned as well.
January 2, 1897: “Mr. Barclay made a flying trip to Brainerd and returned with his wife and daughter. The later came up to spend vacation.” Grace was sixteen years old at this time.
“Mr. Barclay is still buying ties and is very busy, but his health is not good, as he is lame in his left shoulder. “
January 2, 1897 George is on the move.
Source: Local News – Pine River, The Cass County Pioneer Newspaper, 1/2/1897 to 6/2/1898, January 2, 1897
July 1: “Geo Barclay has been down to Minneapolis ever since the 14th of this month. He was down on a lawsuit, which is now over. He returned on the 28th.”
“Andrew Whitesides, Mrs. Mickleson, Phil Reeler, Billy Pickler and The Moose were all down to the city as witnesses for Mr. Barclay. Miss Barclay was down also. She returned last Monday.”
“Mrs. Barclay is not feeling very well, but she is still working.”
“Mr. Barclay and party including his daughter stopped in Minneapolis about a week. Miss Barclay took down a couple of her father’s witnesses.”
Source: Local News-Pine River, July 1, 1897, Thurs, Cass County Pioneer Newspaper. 1/1/1897-6/2/1898.
July 15: “Mr. George Barclay was down to Brainerd Saturday last and reports the washouts as bad.”
Source: Cass County Pioneer, Jan. 2, 1897 to Jan 2, 1898 – July 15, 1897 Front page, 3rd column at the top.
Note: I do not know what lawsuit the gossip column was referring to? I am a bit curious but have not had time to research it. It would require looking at court documents and that could get tricky depending on which court it was in, state, federal or county? The fact that my grandmother Grace was involved is very intriguing. If I was to speculate it might have had something to do with the railroad or his past partner?
The Barclays of Pine River 