The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1879-10-01

Near Prospect, station on tho
Chau.auqus Lake railroad, about 8
miles northeast Of MayviIie, in the
State Of New York, resides Mr.. Al
pha Barns in the old "Fish-and-
Barnes homestead. Alpha Barns,
until the last few years, was always
known as "Fish-and- Barns" from the
fact that bis mother lived ss wife to
Hiram Fish and James Barns. Born
late in the last century, in Connectl-
cut, Hiram Fish came with bis pa
rents to Oneida county, New York,
and lived there until 1918. Becom-
ing infatuated with beautiful young
girl, Amanda Noble. and his youth
ful affections being crossed by friendz,
be determined 10 go west and secure
home and then return and claim
the hand of the object Of his affec-
tions. He came to Chautauqua Co.,
and settled on large tract, about
500 acres OF lsnd, and made prepara-
lions tor living Being an active. en-
ergeiic youth, he soon maoe an invit-
ing home. He started for Rome 10
claim his plighted beauty. When
little more than halt the journey was
over be was captured by the Indian
allies Of the British aud taken to
Canada, whe-e be was detained as q
prisoner until the fall of 1877. What
his anxiety must have becu these
years no one can sLow The chat
ings Of confinement, the insolence Of
captors. were heightened aud inten-
siied by fears of the loss of the object
of mis- heart. Immediately on being
liberated ne hastened toward Rome,
arriving there late 10 the day, Jsau-
sry 26, 1918. No word having been
received from him for nearly four
years, and supposing him to be dead,
Amanda had given her hand TO
James Barnes, and on that day (Jan-
usFy 26), but little while before
Fish arrived, the indissoluble union
had been made His appearance at
the time created the greatest confu-
sion. Amanda declared that she
loved Fish snd could not live with
Barns. To make the best Of an un-
fortunate circumstance, Barns and
Fish agreed to live with her as their
joint wife. In pursuance Of that
agreement the three, in August, l8ls,
moved on the Fish lands 10 Chaut-
suqua county, and there lived togeth-
er for nearly ffty years, until the
death Of Barnes, which occurred jan
uary 10, 1864, aud she aud Fish lived
together until his death, December
20, 1876. OF a long life but twelve
years were devoted TO the object Of
MS heart, but those years were ef
perfect joy. Since Fish's death she
has resided with her children. She
is now in her S2d year. The child
rem were always known BY the neigh
bors as "Fish-snd-Barns.D In every
thing q community Of interest. valua-
bic improvements made, large fort
une accumulated, all Of which was
willed by the respective defendants
to the wife and four children, accord
ing to the letter of the agreement,
made January 26. 1918.
1t is said that during this long and
strange life never q want was felt in
the home, never domestic misun-
derstanding, not even a harsh word.
The mother always called and spoke
of Barns as "Mr. Barns" and it is
said never mentioned the name Of
Mr.. Fish," as she always called him,
save with tears. Until Fish's death
her affections remained unchanged,
as intense and exclusive for him as ia
youth nor did she conceal her feel
ings. The children, too, bore Fish
sll the affection that an indulgent
father could ask.