Retired Teacher Is Victim Of Suicide; Rites Set Saturday 

Elzie A. J. Barnes, retired public school teacher and resident of the Smartt Station community, died instantly about noon Wednesday as a result of a shotgun blast, apparently self-inflicted.  The fatal accident occurred at a barn near Mr. Barnes’ residence and was termed by Coroner Elvin Spangler, who investigated, as suicide.  He set the time of death at 11:30 a.m.  In ill health for sometime, Mr. Barnes took his life by firing a .410-gauge shotgun blast into his head, the bullet entering at a point just above his right ear.  His death was instantaneous.  Investigating the fatality, Coroner Spangler quoted Mr. Barnes’ wife, Mrs. Deanie Curtis Barnes, as saying that her husband was away from home when she returned from a neighborhood store shortly before lunch. She went about preparing the noon meal and did not become alarmed until she noticed a gun missing from the house.  Seeking aid from neighbors, a search was instituted for Mr.  Barnes and his body was found at the barn by Ernest Womack, who resides near the Barnes home.  Mr. Barnes had removed his shoe and apparently discharged the gun with a toe. He had threatened suicide on several occasions, Coroner Spangler quoted Mrs. Barnes as saying.  

Mr. Barnes was a native of Warren county, born October 1, 1876. His parents were Campbell Barnes and Catherine Bess Barnes and he was first married to Miss Alta Harding in 1902. She died some years later and he was married to his present wife on August 17, 1940.  Before his retirement, Mr. Barnes had taught in the public schools of Fountain, Colo., Dawson, Texas, and Warren county and for a time was a resident of Alberta, Canada. He had resided at Smartt since his return from Texas several years ago. Mr. Barnes was a member of the Church of Christ.  Survivors include his wife; two sons, Harding and Marcus Barnes, Portland, Oregon; a daughter, Mrs. O.L. Ayers, Alberta, Canada; three brothers, Haskell Barnes, Littleton, Colo., John Barnes, McMinnville and Arwood Barnes, Delta, Colo. Also a sister, Mrs. Lucy Clendenon, McMinnville. Funeral services will be conducted Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Smyrna Church of Christ. Judge R.W. Smartt, a close friend of Mr. Barnes, and John W. High will officiate and burial will be in Smyrna cemetery.  Arrangements are in charge of High Funeral Home.