Barbee, Ethel (Walker) 1874-1905

BARBEE, WALKER, REYNOLDS, RODGERS

Posted By: Volunteer Transcriber
Date: 11/19/2004 at 11:46:43

Ethel Walker was born in Union County, Iowa, thirty-one years ago, lacking a few days, and died at the home of her sister, Mrs. Melissa Walker, yesterday afternoon at 3 o’clock.

In November 1894 she was married to Fred Barbee in this city and soon after removed with her husband to Chelan, Washington, hoping that the change in climate would be beneficial to her health, which at that time was not good. During the first year of their residence in Washington her health improved, but later she became such an invalid that three years ago she decided to return to Iowa and her sister, Mrs. Hayden Reynolds, met her in St. Paul and brought her to this city where she has since lived at the home of her sister, Mrs. Melissa Walker, until the day of her death.

After her return to Iowa she frequently heard from her husband. A year ago last July Mr. Barbee wrote asking if she were not well enough to return to Washington, and that if she decided not to do so, he thought he would join a party that was forming there to soon start for Alaska. She wrote him she was still such an invalid that she felt it was best to remain where she could have the care her sisters gave her. Since that time no word or message has been received from her husband. This, with consumption wearing her life away, was a great burden to carry, but she was a patient sufferer, never murmuring but always hoping that the future would bring her health and happiness again.

She leaves a little daughter, Mary, ten years old; three sisters, Mrs. Hayden Reynolds, Mrs. George Rodgers, and Mrs. Melissa Walker; two brothers, Irvin Walker of this city and William Walker of Westphalia, Kansas.

The funeral will be held at the Baptist Church tomorrow afternoon at two o’clock. Rev. M. J. Sigler will preach the funeral sermon and the W. R. C. ladies will have chare of the services.

The interment will be in the Newton Cemetery. ~ The Newton Daily News, Newton, IA, Thursday, February 9, 1905,Page 1, Column 3