BARGER, Franklin L.

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Death of F. L. Barger.

Squire F. L. Barger died Sunday evening at 4 o’clock at his home in Smith’s Valley, of Bright’s disease. He had been in poor health for about a year. However, during the past season he had pursued his trade as carpenter and filled several contracts. In the meantime also he performed his duties as Justice of Peace, a position which he had held for twelve years with much credit to himself and the community.

Mr. Barger was born in Rush county this state, February 28, 1845. He was the son of Washington and Sarah Bar­ger, who were natives of Virginia, but who came to Indiana about 1840. His parents moved to Johnson County in 1857, where the son has ever since resided, an honored and respected citi­zen.

For the past eight years Mr. Barger has been the prompt and efficient correspondent of the Democrat at Smith’s Valley. His weekly budget of news was always interesting and never failed to come unless prevented by sickness or work which at times called him from his home. Without detracting any from other correspondents who took an active part in organizing the Democrat Correspondent’s Union, it can be justly said that Mr. Barger was the prime mover in this annual gathering. He was the secretary and general manager the first two years and threw his whole soul into making the annual meetings a success. In this he suc­ceeded. Every correspondent learned to esteem him as a friend and brother. Cheerfully we hear testimony to his worth as a citizen, to his manly and noble traits of character and to his kind and unselfish steadfastness as a friend. In his death the community loses a good citizen and the Democrat feels that in his death it has sustained a per­sonal loss.

The funeral services were held Wednesday at 10:30 o’clock at the United Brethren church, of which he was a member, and were conducted by Rev. John H. Wyant, of Hamilton County, a former pastor, assisted by Rev. Meyer, of Stones Crossing. A large body of the Masonic lodge of Green­wood and the K. of P. lodge of Stones Crossing attended the funeral in appro­priate uniform. The funeral was one of the largest ever held in Smith’s Valley.

The remains were laid to rest in Mt. Pleasant cemetery.

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The Franklin Democrat, Friday, October 19, 1900
Volume XLI, Number 16, page 6 column 5

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SMITHS VALLEY.

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F. L. Barger died Saturday, Oct. 15 [sic], at 3:28 p.m. The deceased was 55 years, 7 months and 16 days old. He had been in poor health for more than a year but was only confined to his bed about two weeks. He was one of our best citizens and one that will be greatly missed in our community, not only in a neighborly way but in busi­ness matters. He held the squire’s office nearly 12 years. He was the Democrat’s correspondent at this place for many years.

The Franklin Democrat, Friday, October 26, 1900,
Volume XLI Number 17, page 6 column 5

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SAMARA.

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We join with the editor and Demo­crat’s correspondents in sadness and sorrow we felt for you great loss of our dear brother, friend and counselor, Brother Barger in conducting the general business of the correspondents’ department of Democrat. We extend to the bereaved wife and family our sym­pathy and we realize that his place in the family circle will be sadly missed and that in our connection as cor­respondent we know our loss is such that we can more fully realize his usefulness and worth as a friend and brother.

Link to Franklin L. Barger’s grave

Note: Indiana, Death Certificates, 1899–2011, White River Township, Johnson County, Certificate and Record of Death, page 152 records that Franklin L Barger died at about 4 o’clock p. m. on 14 Oct 1900 in Smiths Valley, Indiana from Bright’s disease of seven weeks’ duration, aged fifty-five years, seven months months and sixteen days. He was male, white, married and a carpenter, born in Virginia [sic] to Washington Barger and Sarah F Helms, both born in Virginia. The informant was P. D. Robinson. Franklin was buried in Mount Pleasant on 17 Oct 1900, Dudley Peek, undertaker.

Submitted by Mark McCrady, Cathea Curry and Lois Johnson