The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1909-10-21
Wife and Daughters Pros
trated by Death of Former
Postmaster.
PLANS TO MAKE
FUNERAL PRIVATE
lntement Will Probably Take
Place in Rock Greek
Cemetery.

shortly after noon today, the body Of
Benjamin Franklin Barnes, late Post
master of the District was removed
from the residence of his father-in-law.
Jacob Frech, 5l4 L street northeast. TO
the home Of his widow at IS r street
northeast.
The funeral services will be con-
Quoted privately at the residence of
the late postmaster at As r street
northeast, in charge of Temple Lodge
No. %, "A. +. and A NJ at , D. m
Saturday afternoon. October 23. The
interment viii probably take place at
Rock Creek Cemetery
Mrs. Barnes and her two daughters
were today almost overcome with grief
They can scarcely realize their loss, so
suddenly came the blow which deprived
them OF husband and father Even after
she had seen her husband lying in re
pose on the sofa at the home of her
father last night. Mrs. Barnes could not
believe he was dead. She could not
realize it until heroic measures had
been taken to produce artificial respira-
ton and had failed.
Mrs Barnes and her sister, Mrs. Wal
ter Donaldson. today declared they
never knew Mr.. Barnes had any trace
of heart disease. He has always been
50 robust and so eager for exercise they
never dreamed he had any physical
weaknesses. 1t had been the habit of
Mr.. Barnes and friends to take long
walks across the country. and in the
city, the Postmaster striding along at
a rapid pace. He also did much of the
work about his home. never complain
ing in any way of his health
Would Suffer In Silence.
However. he is man who would
fight OF going to a physician even IL
he did have pain in his heart" Mrs.
Donaldson said today. He would think
Il was due 20 indigestion or lack Of
exercise and would try TO get along
without any physicians assistance"
Mr. Barnes died in his Cna1T at the
home Of his father-in-law, while play
ing a game OF pinOchle at the dining
room table last night. He died in
moment when Mr. Frech had turned
his back to get some tobacco Just \
few seconds before the end came. ne
had been talking IN cheerful tone.
feeling particularly good because he had
just been admitted 20 practice in the
Court Of Appeals Of the District OF Co
Mr.. Frech returned to the table with
his tobacco and saw MS son-in-iaw with
head thrown back, mouth Vide open
and eyes staring in death. The cards
had dropped from his nerVeleSs arms
10 the floor and the Postmaster neither
moved nor ETeatEed.
Mr. and Mrs Frech and their daugh-
se-d Lillian rushed to his assistance, but
their efforts were frlttless. They chaf-
ed his hands and dashed water in his
face. but he was dead and had been
dead from the nrst, the doctor said,
when he came and examined the pros
trate body. When she first rushed to
his assistance, Miss Frech placed her
hand over the heart Of her brother-in-
vibration. II had stopped lead still
and the whole machinery Of life stopped
with IL
DR.. Balm There.
DR.. senaca B. Balm, of ~ H street
northeast, vas the first physician to
reach the side OF Mr.. Barnes. and he
declared death had been instantaneous
from paralysis of the heart, caused by
an attack Of acute indigestion. Later.
Deputy Coroner Glazebrook examined
The body, and declared death was due
20 heart disease After the arrival OF
Mrs Barnes. DR. Balm tried 10 revive
the stricken man by artificial respira-
lion. but at the end Of an hour, he an
nounced there was no hope Mrs
Barnes, who had kept up her hopes and
her courage during this attempt 10 re-
vive her husband collapsed and was
led away by her sisters.
Mr.. Barnes died in the room where
ne was married seventeen years ago
On his wedding anniversary, Mr.. Barnes
and his family had been at the Frech
younger brother on the occasion of his
itxenty-first birthday. and the Postmas-
ter was the life Of the crowd.
Made Postmaster.
BENJAMIN F. Barnes had been POST
master Of Washington since 1906 az
which time he left the position OF as
sistant secretary 10 President Roose-
welt.
Prior to that time he had served sue
cessiveIy as clerk IN the Postoffce De
paFtment. secretary to First Assistant
Postmaster General James s. Clarkson.
secretary 20 Mr.. CIarkson, as chairman
of the Republican national committee.
clerk IN the White House, executive
clerk and assistant secretary 10 the
President
while in the latter position Mr..
Barnes was participant in the scene
when Mrs. Minor Norris was elected
from the White House. He was severely
condemned for this. and his appoint
Ident as OPstmaster was opposed in the
Senate.
Mr.. Barnes was born in Nova Scotia
December 3, 1858. His parents moved
20 Nineland. y. J.. VIXEN he was young
and h. was educated IN this country
PIE lived IN Chicago two years where he
attended the high school. While en-
gagged in mercantile work he became
proficient In shorthand and took the ex-
animation Ia the civil service from
which he received an appointment tO
clerkship ia the Fosuoffce Depart
ment While in this department he
formed a close friendship with former
Secretary of the Treasury George r.
Cortelyou. which had continued through
all the years since. Together they ar
tended the Georgetown Law school, and
afF. COrteiyOu was OF considerable as
siFtance to Mr. Barnes in his rise iu
Federal employment.
Mr.. Barnes leaves a widow, Z Mrs
Emily Freeh Barnes, and two daugh
tiers Margaret and Edith, aged respeC
lively fifteen and eleven years
AGE 10; WEIGHT 20.
YORK. Pa. oct. 21.-Eighteen years
old and weighing only twenty pounds
George Miller, a son of Glen Miller