Crittenden press. [volume] (Marion, Ky.) 1879-1907, 1895-10-03
KIT BARNEY DEAD.
The Old Miner u Victim of FOuI
Air.

TO fall, and some Of his workmel
rushed TO him and carried him out
when they reached the surface h,
br, athed but few times. lie he,
been working in and interested il
the coal mines Of OF this county fol
nearly half century. lie came
from England when younng man
and secured work in the celebrated
mines which was then operated on q
large scale by JohH A. Bell OF
Tennessee The advent of the wal
and the opening OF other mines on
the railroads, caused the mines to 90
int decadence. to great extent,
but Barmby secured an interest in
the mines OF that section and oper
oted on a small scale for many years
He has always sent out a superior
grade OF coal, and this, together
will his honesty, built up reputs
ton, and every body held the name
OF Kit Barmby IN high estimation,
and his customers throughout the
country will regret the death OF the
honest old miner. He was dia-
mond in the rough. Rough 10 his
appearance, he had a generous heart,
soul that responded to all the songs
of nature. and to natures God.
Peace to his ashes. The following
incident of his career was written
for the Press, and put in type be-
fore his death
Fifty years ago two English coal
miners crossed the waters to SEE K their
fortunes in this country, shortly after
striking the shore of our fair land,
they found work at Bells mines in this
county, and for nearly halt a century
they have been inseparsble-partners
in all Of their business transactions,
and bosom companions in fair weather
and foul. Many, and many day
have they dug coal side by side, and
many aud many night, ha9 the same
roof sheltered them both. For
quarter Of a century, they have been
making visits to Marion, and the one
rarely came without the other. Kit
Darmby and Jack Hargraves are now
jogging along in their seventies, and
many couvivial time they have had
together The toll hardened hands OF
these two long ago Americaniz'd En-
glishmen are as honest as any ever
gra,ped, yet from church standpoint
these NO white haired veterans of the
coal mine were considered lOrg way
from the Kingdom. Recently at a
protrscted meeting in their neighbor-
hood after many prayers and exhorta-
tons, Jack made profession ofrelig-
on and joined the church. All the
influences were brought to bear to win
Kit. But he was obdurate, deaf to
appeals, and ever ready to meet any
argument, he held his own. Finally
he was prevailed upon to go to the
church ore day: the good minister
appealed to him pointing out the beau.
ties on one hand, and the woes on the
other. The good brethern talked to
him earnestly, and the good women
prayed for him, but neither, though
heart nor head, could move him. He
was the same old Kit. Finally Jack
unco' Jack, verstd not 10 scripture,
nor iervent in eloquence, approached
him and in his suffering way said
Kit we have travelled many a long
mile together, why not continue to-
gether that short distancey" and as he
spoke be pointed to the cemetery just
across the way. What came into Kit's
mind then, he never said, but a tear
rolled down his swathy check, he
knelt for prayer, and is now a member
of the church; he comes to town, and
goes nome without touching drop,
Yet he is as merry and cheerful as
of old, and from beneath the shaggy
silvery brow, beams The face ola hap
Ply I'D man.