The Washington herald., 1909-10-21
B. F. BARNES
PASSES AWAY
Continued from Page one.

corner. An hour had passed before those
in the room realized that their efforts
were useless, and gave up.
At II O'Clock Deputy Coroner Glaze
brook arrived, accompanied. unoficially,
by DR.. Edgar Snowden. The members
Of the family were unable TO tell any
thing which might account for his sud
den taking Off He had always been con-
sidered unusually healthy-a man OF tenn
perate habits, with an appreciation of
the value of physical exercise. The hard
studying he had been doing recently, be-
fore his admission 20 the District bar,
had taken a shade of color from his face,
but that with a single other incident
which was reclted, was the only light
the family could throw on the question.
The incident was a false burglar alarm
the night before at Mr. Barnes home
Mrs. Barnes woke him in the night to tell
him she heard a strange roise down
stairs. He listened and seemed also 70
hear IT, He went 10 the top OF the stair
case and called down a threat that he
would shoot. Hearing no reply he inves-
tigated and was able to assure his wife
that the house was all right before he re-
turned to bed.
Might Have Contributed.
DR.. Balm vas OF the opinion that that
| incident might have had a contributory
effect. and also that acute indigestion
might have had something TO do with the
failure OF the heart Mr. Barnes. how
ever. at his last meal at home ate moth
ing which would naturally bring on such
an ailment
/ After a thorough examination. DR..
Glazebrook issued a certificate Of natural
death. giving valvular disease Of the
heart, or syncOpe. as the particular
cause.
The body was embalmed and allowed
10 remain in the house over night. II
will be taken TO Mr.. Barnes late home,
As R street northeast, this morning. No
arrangements have been made for the
funeral.
Surviving Mr. Barnes are his wife.
Mrs. Emily r. Barnes; two daughters,
Marjorie. fifteen years old, and Edith.
eleven years old: his mother. Mrs. Erena
Barnes. and a sister. Miss Mary Barnes.
His father-in-law. Mr.. Frech. is chief
clerk I'm the Office Of 'Adjt Gen. Aims
worth. L. S. A.
Pointed Out as Example,.
Mr.. Barnes steady rise from clerkship
in the Post-offce Department TO posi-
ton OF high administrative responsibility
has often been pointed 10 as an example
OF the opportunities open 20 government
employees in Washington
He was born December 3. 1855, in Var
mouth, Nova Scotia, and as a boy went
with his parents TO Vineland. n J. There
his youth was spent and there. in the
public schools. he received all the educa-
ton he had with the exception Of the
studying In law he did here. At the age
Of 49, in 1SS7, he came 20 Washington,
having obtained through competitive ex-
animation a position as stenographer In
the office OF the Fourth Assistant POST
master General. His steadiness, efficiency,
and rapid grasp Of the details OF Office
administration brought him the private
secTetaryship 20 the First Assistant Post
master General and the chief post-ofiice
Inspector
At the opening of the campaign Of 1891 81
his former chief. Gen. James s. CIarkson,
chose him as HIS private secretary, and
he held that duty throughout the cam
paign. Here again his unusual ability
won recognition. and the next turn in his
fortunes took him into the White House
as stenographer on the stan which
handled the correspondence OF President
Mckinley.