Philip Edward Barber

P.E. BARBER, OLD TIMER, DIES FROM HEART ATTACK

P.E. BARBER, 77, old-time resident of this community, died early Sunday morning at his ranch home, 23 miles north of Lusk, from a heart attack.

Death came very suddenly, as Mr. Barber was apparently in the best of health and spirits Saturday evening preceding death, when Mrs. Barber, and Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Chambers had spent the evening at the ranch home.

Shortly before retiring for the night Mr. Barber complained of his inability to breathe freely, but it was thought he was suffering from a slight cold. Mrs. Barber administered to him and then retired for the night.

About one o'clock Mrs. Barber was awakened by Mr. Barber gasping, and upon lighting a lamp she saw that he was in distress, apparently suffering from a heart attack. Mr. and Mrs. Will Hawkins and son Kenneth, the closest neighbors responded to Mrs. Barber's telephone call, but by the time they arrived Mr. Barber had passed away.

Mr. and Mrs. Frank W. Chambers, who had just arrived at their home in Lusk , after visiting the Barber ranch, were notified of the death and returned to the ranch at once.

Funeral services were held Tuesday afternoon at the Lusk Congregational Church, with the Rev. Edwin F. Irwin officiating. Interment was made in the Lusk Cemetery, where Masonic services were held, At the request of the family, R.I. Olinger of Newcastle, old friend of the Barber family, and past master of the local lodge, officiated.

The church was filled with friends of Mr. Barber, who had spent the best years of his life in this county, and who numbered his friends by the hundreds. A mixed quartet, composed of Mrs. H.J. Templeton, Mrs. R.B. Taylor, R.A. Faulk and J.M.Hungate, rendered the selections-Beautiful Isle of Somewhere, Face to Face, and Abide with Me, accompanied by Miss Alice Fowler at the piano.

Pallbearers were John Agnew, Hans Gautschi, Ral Collins of Douglas, John W. Wolfe, Dade Boyd and Chris Joss. Interment was made in the Lusk cemetery, the Midwest Funeral home, Carl Weymouth, director, and Herman Houston, mortician, having charge of the arrangements.

PHILIP EDWARD BARBER
Philip Edward Barber was born at Pittsburg, Pa., on January 31, 1855, and died at his ranch home, 23 miles north of Lusk, Wyo., at 1:10 o'clock Sunday morning, October 29, 1933, at the age of 77 years, 8 months, and 29 days.

Mr. Barber's early life was spent in
Eastern States, his family finally settling at Reedsville, Ohio, which for a number of years was his home.

The call of the great West had gripped him and in 1880, he began a pilgrimage which ultimately brought him to the State. That year he traveled to Colorado, where he spent 8 years in the mining industry.

In 1889 he returned to his old home in Reedsville, O., and on June 25th, was united in marriage to Harriet Virginia Lorentz. With his bride he returned to Colorado and continued in the mining industry for two more years.

At the end of that time Mr. and Mrs. Barber came to Wyoming and homesteaded about three miles south of Lusk. Wyoming had just became a State the year before, and this vicinity was yet a part of Converse county. Mr. Barber abandoned mining when he left Colorado and now engaged in ranching and stock raising.

Four children were born to this union, three of whom survive-Mrs. Frank W. Chambers of Lusk; Charles Barber of Casper, and Mrs. E. C. Beck of Midwest, Wyo. The first son, Edward, met death in a blizzard in April of 1912.

In his more than 42 years of residence in Wyoming, Mr. Barber was recognized not only as one of the pioneers of this region, but one whose efforts were devoted to the upbuilding of this community and State. He served for four years as county commissioner of Converse county, of which Niobrara was then a part. Following the division of counties, he was elected Niobrara's first treasurer and in this capacity served with distinction for two terms.

Mr. Barber was deeply interested in the furtherance of education, and was chosen as a member of the Board of Trustees of School District no. 1, serving faithfully for six years. It was while he was acting in this capacity that Lusk's present grade school building was constructed. It stands today as a monument to him and other who foresaw the future growth of this community, and the need of better educational facilities.

Although Mr. Barber was not affiliated with any church, he was always active and interested in the Congregational Church of this city, and for several years served as a trustee of this church.

He was one of the oldest members of Harmony Lodge No. 24, A. F. & A. M., uniting with this fraternity on November 26, 1907, and holding continuous membership since that time until his passing.

Besides his widow and three children, the deceased is survived by two grandchildren, Laura Lucille and Joan Chambers, three sisters, Mrs. Sadie Spencer, of Salem, Oregon; Mrs. Elizabeth Clowes, Apollo, Pa.; and Mrs. Anna Gerrard of Sumner, Wash.; and four brothers, Francis of Marmouth, No. Dak.; John and George of Glenrock Wyo., and C. A. Barber of Lusk.

Mr. Barber's life was of that nature typical of the pioneer, and which is described so well and fully by his many friends when they say, "He was a good man and always a square shooter." Those few words may seem simple to many, but to those of us who understand the language of the real Westerner, the expression is far reaching and a real tribute to a departed friend.

He lived a life which brought him the affection of his family, the honor and respect of his fellow men, and the admiration of all who knew him. He passing is a deep loss to those who mourn.

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