Mexico weekly ledger. (Mexico, Mo.) 1855-1956, 1916-03-16
JUDGE JAMES D. BAR,
NETT DIED FRIDAY NIGHT
Judge Of This District Of the Circuit
Court For Many Years Died
In ST. Louis Friday.
HEART DISEASE CAUSE DEATH
Was Resident Of Montgomery City
Had Been M for Six Weeks
at st. Johns Hospital.
HEART DISEASE CAUSE DEATH

st. Louis. Judge Barnett has been an
inmate of the hospital for sometime
and has been steadily growing weaker,
Judge Barnett has been a Judge for
80 years and so popular among Demo-
cratic voters that only once in his car
eer did he have opposition in his race
for office.
Graduated From Washington U.
Judge Barnett was born on his faith
er's farm near Wellsville, Montgomery
County, October II, 1858, the only sen
of DR.. Andred F. Barnett, pioneer Mis-
souri, physician.
He was educated in st. Louis, being
graduated from high school there in
1876, and from the law department Of
Washington University in 1879. The
same year was admitted to the bar in
Danville, Montgomery County.
Eighteen Years in Probate Court.
In 1886, although without political
aspirations, friends persuaded him to
be candidate for Probate Judge, and
he was elected without opposition,
serving IS years continuously.
In 1904 he was prevailed upon to be
candidate for Judge Of the Eleventh
Judicial Circuit, which then included
Audrain, Montgomery, Lincoln, War
rem and St. Charleh counties, and in
1910 was reelected over Judge E. b.
Voolfolk Of Troy.
Shortly afterwards there was a divi-
sion Of the Eleventh Circuit, and up
to the time Of his death Judge Bar
nett's circuit included Audrain, Mont
gomery and Warren counties. Judge
Voolfolk now presides over the Thir-
ty-ffth Circuit, including Lincoln,
Pike and st. Charles counties.
Judge Barnett was a bachelor and
lived with an older sister, Miss Helen
Barnett in Montgomery City Miss
Barnett was at the bedside when the
end came.
Cousin of Tom p. Barnett.
Judge Barnett was a cousin Of Geo.
D. and Tom P. Barnett, st. Louis
architects.
Judge Barnett was member of the
Roman Catholic Church and a hign
minded gentleman and iprist Of abil-
ity. During his stays in Mexico, while
court was in session, he made hun
dreds of admiring friends. He was
always just and fair, in his work upon
the bench and was held in the highest
esteem by all the members Of the bar
practicing in his court.
Audrain Bar Meets.
Judge David Harris, of the 81 Judi
cial circuit, who has been holding court
he7 during the illness of Judge Barnett
adjourned court Friday afternoon un-
til Monday, March 20. All cases from
the 18th to goth will be docketed on
that date. In closing Court Judge
Harris expressed his pleasure in hav-
ing the opportunity to preside in the
Audrain County Circuit Court and
complimented the bar upon its person.
ell though he regretted the sad death
of such a splendid judge as Judge
Barnett. W. W. Fry replied for the
Audrain bar and expressed its pleas
ure in having him in the local Court.
Mr.. Fry said he had practiced law here
since 1876 and had always been proud
of the men who composed its member
ship and none Of whom had ever, in
any way, caused the slightest refec-
tion upon the profession.
A meeting Of the Audrain county
bar was called Immediately following
the adjournment Of Court and Judge
Harris was chosen to preside and Cir
cult Clerk Eppa F. Elliott chosen as
secretary. On the motion of Judge
w. w. Bolts, S. d. Stocks, E. A..
Shannon and W. w. Fry, Jr., were ap-
pointed on committee to secure a
suitable floral offering from the Aud
rain county bar for Judge Barnett's
funeral.
Judge Harris, upon the motion of A..
G. Whitson, appointed the following
committee to draft suitable mem
orial to be spread upon the records Of
the Audrain County, Circuit, County
and Probate Courts and the st. Louis
Appellate Court and to be presented
to Judge Barnett's sister; A. G. Whit
son, R. D. Rodgers, A. G. Barnes, E.
S. CAN'T and W. w. Fry
Judge w. w. Bolts was appointed
to notify the Audrain bar that they
would attend the funeral in a body,
Upon the suggestion of Mr.. Elliott
the judges chair and bench will be
appropriately draped in mourning un-
til court is opened and upon the sug-
gestion of r. D. Rodgers the Sheriff
was notified to have the Court House
bell toIled during the funeral hour Of
Judge Barnett.
Funeral services over the remains
of Circuit Judge James d. Barnett,
who died in st. Johns Hospital, 81.
Louis, Friday, were held in Montgom-
cry City Monday morning. Eight
priests of the Roman Catholic church
had charge Of the services. Father
Head, So years old, who knew Judge
Barnett when he was childNlead the
services. The Audrain County Bar
attended in a body.
Amcng those who attended were
John Ricketts,, Mart Wise and wife
Epp Elliott and wife Miss Tinsley,
w. w. Frye, W. W. Frye, Jry A, G.