He went by his middle name, Floyd, and was born in Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri. He was the son of George R. Barnes and Rosie Emma (Kincaid) Barnes. Floyd told his son, Ben, that their family moved from Mount Hope, Kansas to Montrose, Colorado in 1902. This is correct, as Floyd's younger brother, Harry, was born in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas on August 13th of 1902, and by September the family was headed for Colorado, by wagon, said by Harry to be a covered wagon.
It is thought that Floyd attended school to about the eighth grade, but that's only the half of it. Floyd often spoke of attending grade school with future world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (1895-1983). Floyd remembered Jack in school as a bully. Dempsey, heavyweight champion from 1919-1926, lived in Montrose for a time before leaving home at the age of 16, riding the rails as a hobo and fighting grown men for small prize money in rough mining camps in the Colorado and Utah area. Dempsey may have fought as many as 100 unrecorded fights during this time. Floyd said Dempsey didn't use the first name Jack when they were attending grade school. This is correct. Jack's real name was William Harrison Dempsey. He later borrowed the first name of Jack from a well known boxer from years before. Note that Celia Dempsey, mother of William "Jack" Dempsey, operated a restaurant, the "Rio Grande Eating House," in Montrose, Colorado during the time the Gunnison Railroad Tunnel was being built. The tunnel, started in 1901, soon stopped from a lack of funds, resumed construction in 1905 and was completed in 1909. Professional boxing was a huge sport in those days with the heavyweights getting the biggest attention and the biggest purses. Working hard, Dempsey earned a title shot with heavyweight champion Jess Willard in 1919. The 6'-6" tall Willard was heavily favored and appeared to be in excellent shape, but that day Willard was very immobile and took a terrible beating. In a championship career that included an unequaled 3 year layoff from 1923-26, Dempsey defended his title 6 times. Four of these matches would draw world-wide attention including those against a much lighter and over-matched Georges Carpentier of France, and an exciting brawl with the powerful Luis Firpo of Argentina where Dempsey was literally knocked through the ropes and out of the ring. Dempsey was immediately (and illegally) helped back into the ring by spectators and won the fight. But Dempsey's best known fights were the two championship match-ups between (the slugger) Dempsey and (the boxer) New York native Gene Tunney in 1926 and 1927, both of which Tunney won in 10 rounds. These two Dempsey-Tunney fights would hold the record for the largest attendance for over 65 years! Following retirement, Dempsey remained connected to boxing and is well remembered today. But James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (1897-1978), who defeated the great Dempsey twice, went 3-0 as champion, suffered only 1 loss and 1 knockdown in his career, avoided media attention and is little remembered today except by boxing historians. (From the biography of heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, entitled "A Flame of Pure Fire." Unfortunately, this book mentions nothing further about Montrose, Colorado but is a fascinating story of a guy born into a very poor family who would, for a time, become the most famous person in the world.)
Floyd Barnes was first married to Josephine Miller. In 1920, Benjamin F. Barnes, age 25, Josephine, wife, age 20, Phyllis, daughter, age less than 1 year, were living in Montrose, Colorado. His occupation was cabinetmaker in a furniture store. Nothing more seems to be known about Josephine and their daughter Phyllis, at this time.
Feb. 13, 1930, The Dodge City Journal;
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barnes and two children of Valley Springs, Arkansas, are visiting Mrs. Barnes parents, Mr. and Mrs. Crocket Travis and family.
Floyd's other occupations included farming, truck driver, manager of a service station, and also worked at a natural gas transfer station in Minneola, Kansas for 15-20 years. In 1930, the Federal Census shows that Floyd was living in Bloom, Township in Ford County, Kansas and was employed as a railroad laborer.
Floyd was next married to Ella Mae Travis for 32 years and they had seven children; Dorothy, Rosie, Fern, Ben, Richard, Carl and Danny.
Floyd's son, Ben, said that his father was about 5'-7" tall and had really large hands. Ben went on to say that his father was an unusually tough person. For instance, when Floyd broke his arm (in two places) while running a combine during harvest time, he had his son pour some water over his arm, then rested his arm on his leg and continued working because they had acres left to harvest before the job was done. Floyd did not like the cast that was soon placed on his broken arm and soon used wire cutters to trim it until it was very small. Floyd also liked to fight, including a fistfight at the age of eighty, which was a dispute with a neighbor over water rights. Two of Floyd's sons always tried to see if they could whip their dad in a fight. One son last attempted to do so when Floyd was in his eighties, but the sons were never successful. Ben, though standing inches taller and heavier than his dad, said he never wanted any part of tangling with his dad in a fight. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes.)
Floyd had an old, muzzle loading, cap and ball rifle, manufactured about 1862. No manufacturer's name was found on the gun, even when it was disassembled for repair. The gun was handed down to Floyd from his father, George, and was said to have been given to George from his father, Elijah Hicks Barnes. Floyd tried shooting this rifle just twice and apparently lacked the important information regarding the correct amount of gun powder needed to safely fire the rifle. The first time Floyd shot it, it knocked him across an irrigation ditch. The next time Floyd shot it he had a different plan, placing the butt of the rifle against a tree, but the recoil was so powerful it broke the stock. Amazingly, the gun (and Floyd) appeared to be otherwise undamaged. (Floyd's son Ben Barnes.)
Floyd was next married to Delourse. Her maiden name is unknown at this time. She was born in 1890 and died in 1964. Delourse is buried in Cedar Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado. A link to her Findagrave memorial page is located below, under family links. (Information regarding Delourse is from her funeral program supplied by Ellis Barnes, son of Carl Dean Barnes. Carl was a son of Floyd.)
Family stories that are told and retold sometimes get stretched a bit. That's normal. My dad (Gene H. Barnes) told us that his uncle Floyd had shot a bear in Colorado when Floyd was getting a bit older. The amusing thing was that Floyd seemed to get older each time my dad told the story, finally saying Floyd was about 80 years old. My dad wasn't too far off according to the following told by Floyd's son. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd enjoyed the outdoors and hunting. Around 1965-1968, Floyd shot and killed both a mule deer and a black bear in the same year in Colorado. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes)
Family photos show that Floyd was in Wichita, Kansas for his brother Harry's funeral in August of 1973. Floyd's brothers Clarence and Ernest also attended. His nephew Gene said that Floyd had some minor car trouble and helped Floyd change the distributor points.
In the summer of 1978 or 1979, my family traveled from Wichita to Montrose, primarily to visit Clarence and his wife Jessie Barnes. We stopped briefly in Delta, Colorado to see Floyd. As we drove up, Floyd was sitting on his front porch, taking a nap. My dad woke Floyd. Though Floyd probably had no idea we'd be stopping by, and hadn't seen my dad in several years, upon seeing my dad he immediately said his name. Floyd was very friendly. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd died at the age of 91 on May 18, 1986 in Amarillo, Texas. He was survived by his wife Helen Louise Mills of 1611 N. Buntin in Amarillo, four daughters; Juanita Smith of Grand Junction, Colorado, Dorothy Hyde of Mesquite, and Rosie Mae Stetson and Fern Coots, both of Amarillo; four sons, B. F., Jr. "Ben" of Denver, Colorado, Richard of Mesquite, Carl of Amarillo and Danny of Spearman; sister Daisy of Clippers Gap, California; brother, Clarence of Montrose, Colorado; 42 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.
It is thought that Floyd attended school to about the eighth grade, but that's only the half of it. Floyd often spoke of attending grade school with future world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (1895-1983). Floyd remembered Jack in school as a bully. Dempsey, heavyweight champion from 1919-1926, lived in Montrose for a time before leaving home at the age of 16, riding the rails as a hobo and fighting grown men for small prize money in rough mining camps in the Colorado and Utah area. Dempsey may have fought as many as 100 unrecorded fights during this time. Floyd said Dempsey didn't use the first name Jack when they were attending grade school. This is correct. Jack's real name was William Harrison Dempsey. He later borrowed the first name of Jack from a well known boxer from years before. Note that Celia Dempsey, mother of William "Jack" Dempsey, operated a restaurant, the "Rio Grande Eating House," in Montrose, Colorado during the time the Gunnison Railroad Tunnel was being built. The tunnel, started in 1901, soon stopped from a lack of funds, resumed construction in 1905 and was completed in 1909. Professional boxing was a huge sport in those days with the heavyweights getting the biggest attention and the biggest purses. Working hard, Dempsey earned a title shot with heavyweight champion Jess Willard in 1919. The 6'-6" tall Willard was heavily favored and appeared to be in excellent shape, but that day Willard was very immobile and took a terrible beating. In a championship career that included an unequaled 3 year layoff from 1923-26, Dempsey defended his title 6 times. Four of these matches would draw world-wide attention including those against a much lighter and over-matched Georges Carpentier of France, and an exciting brawl with the powerful Luis Firpo of Argentina where Dempsey was literally knocked through the ropes and out of the ring. Dempsey was immediately (and illegally) helped back into the ring by spectators and won the fight. But Dempsey's best known fights were the two championship match-ups between (the slugger) Dempsey and (the boxer) New York native Gene Tunney in 1926 and 1927, both of which Tunney won in 10 rounds. These two Dempsey-Tunney fights would hold the record for the largest attendance for over 65 years! Following retirement, Dempsey remained connected to boxing and is well remembered today. But James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (1897-1978), who defeated the great Dempsey twice, went 3-0 as champion, suffered only 1 loss and 1 knockdown in his career, avoided media attention and is little remembered today except by boxing historians. (From the biography of heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, entitled "A Flame of Pure Fire." Unfortunately, this book mentions nothing further about Montrose, Colorado but is a fascinating story of a guy born into a very poor family who would, for a time, become the most famous person in the world.)
Floyd Barnes was first married to Josephine Miller. In 1920, Benjamin F. Barnes, age 25, Josephine, wife, age 20, Phyllis, daughter, age less than 1 year, were living in Montrose, Colorado. His occupation was cabinetmaker in a furniture store. Nothing more seems to be known about Josephine and their daughter Phyllis, at this time.
Feb. 13, 1930, The Dodge City Journal;
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barnes and two children of Valley Springs, Arkansas, are visiting Mrs. Barnes parents, Mr. and Mrs. Crocket Travis and family.
Floyd's other occupations included farming, truck driver, manager of a service station, and also worked at a natural gas transfer station in Minneola, Kansas for 15-20 years. In 1930, the Federal Census shows that Floyd was living in Bloom, Township in Ford County, Kansas and was employed as a railroad laborer.
Floyd was next married to Ella Mae Travis for 32 years and they had seven children; Dorothy, Rosie, Fern, Ben, Richard, Carl and Danny.
Floyd's son, Ben, said that his father was about 5'-7" tall and had really large hands. Ben went on to say that his father was an unusually tough person. For instance, when Floyd broke his arm (in two places) while running a combine during harvest time, he had his son pour some water over his arm, then rested his arm on his leg and continued working because they had acres left to harvest before the job was done. Floyd did not like the cast that was soon placed on his broken arm and soon used wire cutters to trim it until it was very small. Floyd also liked to fight, including a fistfight at the age of eighty, which was a dispute with a neighbor over water rights. Two of Floyd's sons always tried to see if they could whip their dad in a fight. One son last attempted to do so when Floyd was in his eighties, but the sons were never successful. Ben, though standing inches taller and heavier than his dad, said he never wanted any part of tangling with his dad in a fight. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes.)
Floyd had an old, muzzle loading, cap and ball rifle, manufactured about 1862. No manufacturer's name was found on the gun, even when it was disassembled for repair. The gun was handed down to Floyd from his father, George, and was said to have been given to George from his father, Elijah Hicks Barnes. Floyd tried shooting this rifle just twice and apparently lacked the important information regarding the correct amount of gun powder needed to safely fire the rifle. The first time Floyd shot it, it knocked him across an irrigation ditch. The next time Floyd shot it he had a different plan, placing the butt of the rifle against a tree, but the recoil was so powerful it broke the stock. Amazingly, the gun (and Floyd) appeared to be otherwise undamaged. (Floyd's son Ben Barnes.)
Floyd was next married to Delourse. Her maiden name is unknown at this time. She was born in 1890 and died in 1964. Delourse is buried in Cedar Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado. A link to her Findagrave memorial page is located below, under family links. (Information regarding Delourse is from her funeral program supplied by Ellis Barnes, son of Carl Dean Barnes. Carl was a son of Floyd.)
Family stories that are told and retold sometimes get stretched a bit. That's normal. My dad (Gene H. Barnes) told us that his uncle Floyd had shot a bear in Colorado when Floyd was getting a bit older. The amusing thing was that Floyd seemed to get older each time my dad told the story, finally saying Floyd was about 80 years old. My dad wasn't too far off according to the following told by Floyd's son. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd enjoyed the outdoors and hunting. Around 1965-1968, Floyd shot and killed both a mule deer and a black bear in the same year in Colorado. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes)
Family photos show that Floyd was in Wichita, Kansas for his brother Harry's funeral in August of 1973. Floyd's brothers Clarence and Ernest also attended. His nephew Gene said that Floyd had some minor car trouble and helped Floyd change the distributor points.
In the summer of 1978 or 1979, my family traveled from Wichita to Montrose, primarily to visit Clarence and his wife Jessie Barnes. We stopped briefly in Delta, Colorado to see Floyd. As we drove up, Floyd was sitting on his front porch, taking a nap. My dad woke Floyd. Though Floyd probably had no idea we'd be stopping by, and hadn't seen my dad in several years, upon seeing my dad he immediately said his name. Floyd was very friendly. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd died at the age of 91 on May 18, 1986 in Amarillo, Texas. He was survived by his wife Helen Louise Mills of 1611 N. Buntin in Amarillo, four daughters; Juanita Smith of Grand Junction, Colorado, Dorothy Hyde of Mesquite, and Rosie Mae Stetson and Fern Coots, both of Amarillo; four sons, B. F., Jr. "Ben" of Denver, Colorado, Richard of Mesquite, Carl of Amarillo and Danny of Spearman; sister Daisy of Clippers Gap, California; brother, Clarence of Montrose, Colorado; 42 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.
He went by his middle name, Floyd, and was born in Chillicothe, Livingston County, Missouri. He was the son of George R. Barnes and Rosie Emma (Kincaid) Barnes. Floyd told his son, Ben, that their family moved from Mount Hope, Kansas to Montrose, Colorado in 1902. This is correct, as Floyd's younger brother, Harry, was born in Mount Hope, Sedgwick County, Kansas on August 13th of 1902, and by September the family was headed for Colorado, by wagon, said by Harry to be a covered wagon.
It is thought that Floyd attended school to about the eighth grade, but that's only the half of it. Floyd often spoke of attending grade school with future world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (1895-1983). Floyd remembered Jack in school as a bully. Dempsey, heavyweight champion from 1919-1926, lived in Montrose for a time before leaving home at the age of 16, riding the rails as a hobo and fighting grown men for small prize money in rough mining camps in the Colorado and Utah area. Dempsey may have fought as many as 100 unrecorded fights during this time. Floyd said Dempsey didn't use the first name Jack when they were attending grade school. This is correct. Jack's real name was William Harrison Dempsey. He later borrowed the first name of Jack from a well known boxer from years before. Note that Celia Dempsey, mother of William "Jack" Dempsey, operated a restaurant, the "Rio Grande Eating House," in Montrose, Colorado during the time the Gunnison Railroad Tunnel was being built. The tunnel, started in 1901, soon stopped from a lack of funds, resumed construction in 1905 and was completed in 1909. Professional boxing was a huge sport in those days with the heavyweights getting the biggest attention and the biggest purses. Working hard, Dempsey earned a title shot with heavyweight champion Jess Willard in 1919. The 6'-6" tall Willard was heavily favored and appeared to be in excellent shape, but that day Willard was very immobile and took a terrible beating. In a championship career that included an unequaled 3 year layoff from 1923-26, Dempsey defended his title 6 times. Four of these matches would draw world-wide attention including those against a much lighter and over-matched Georges Carpentier of France, and an exciting brawl with the powerful Luis Firpo of Argentina where Dempsey was literally knocked through the ropes and out of the ring. Dempsey was immediately (and illegally) helped back into the ring by spectators and won the fight. But Dempsey's best known fights were the two championship match-ups between (the slugger) Dempsey and (the boxer) New York native Gene Tunney in 1926 and 1927, both of which Tunney won in 10 rounds. These two Dempsey-Tunney fights would hold the record for the largest attendance for over 65 years! Following retirement, Dempsey remained connected to boxing and is well remembered today. But James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (1897-1978), who defeated the great Dempsey twice, went 3-0 as champion, suffered only 1 loss and 1 knockdown in his career, avoided media attention and is little remembered today except by boxing historians. (From the biography of heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, entitled "A Flame of Pure Fire." Unfortunately, this book mentions nothing further about Montrose, Colorado but is a fascinating story of a guy born into a very poor family who would, for a time, become the most famous person in the world.)
Floyd Barnes was first married to Josephine Miller. In 1920, Benjamin F. Barnes, age 25, Josephine, wife, age 20, Phyllis, daughter, age less than 1 year, were living in Montrose, Colorado. His occupation was cabinetmaker in a furniture store. Nothing more seems to be known about Josephine and their daughter Phyllis, at this time.
Feb. 13, 1930, The Dodge City Journal;
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barnes and two children of Valley Springs, Arkansas, are visiting Mrs. Barnes parents, Mr. and Mrs. Crocket Travis and family.
Floyd's other occupations included farming, truck driver, manager of a service station, and also worked at a natural gas transfer station in Minneola, Kansas for 15-20 years. In 1930, the Federal Census shows that Floyd was living in Bloom, Township in Ford County, Kansas and was employed as a railroad laborer.
Floyd was next married to Ella Mae Travis for 32 years and they had seven children; Dorothy, Rosie, Fern, Ben, Richard, Carl and Danny.
Floyd's son, Ben, said that his father was about 5'-7" tall and had really large hands. Ben went on to say that his father was an unusually tough person. For instance, when Floyd broke his arm (in two places) while running a combine during harvest time, he had his son pour some water over his arm, then rested his arm on his leg and continued working because they had acres left to harvest before the job was done. Floyd did not like the cast that was soon placed on his broken arm and soon used wire cutters to trim it until it was very small. Floyd also liked to fight, including a fistfight at the age of eighty, which was a dispute with a neighbor over water rights. Two of Floyd's sons always tried to see if they could whip their dad in a fight. One son last attempted to do so when Floyd was in his eighties, but the sons were never successful. Ben, though standing inches taller and heavier than his dad, said he never wanted any part of tangling with his dad in a fight. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes.)
Floyd had an old, muzzle loading, cap and ball rifle, manufactured about 1862. No manufacturer's name was found on the gun, even when it was disassembled for repair. The gun was handed down to Floyd from his father, George, and was said to have been given to George from his father, Elijah Hicks Barnes. Floyd tried shooting this rifle just twice and apparently lacked the important information regarding the correct amount of gun powder needed to safely fire the rifle. The first time Floyd shot it, it knocked him across an irrigation ditch. The next time Floyd shot it he had a different plan, placing the butt of the rifle against a tree, but the recoil was so powerful it broke the stock. Amazingly, the gun (and Floyd) appeared to be otherwise undamaged. (Floyd's son Ben Barnes.)
Floyd was next married to Delourse. Her maiden name is unknown at this time. She was born in 1890 and died in 1964. Delourse is buried in Cedar Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado. A link to her Findagrave memorial page is located below, under family links. (Information regarding Delourse is from her funeral program supplied by Ellis Barnes, son of Carl Dean Barnes. Carl was a son of Floyd.)
Family stories that are told and retold sometimes get stretched a bit. That's normal. My dad (Gene H. Barnes) told us that his uncle Floyd had shot a bear in Colorado when Floyd was getting a bit older. The amusing thing was that Floyd seemed to get older each time my dad told the story, finally saying Floyd was about 80 years old. My dad wasn't too far off according to the following told by Floyd's son. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd enjoyed the outdoors and hunting. Around 1965-1968, Floyd shot and killed both a mule deer and a black bear in the same year in Colorado. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes)
Family photos show that Floyd was in Wichita, Kansas for his brother Harry's funeral in August of 1973. Floyd's brothers Clarence and Ernest also attended. His nephew Gene said that Floyd had some minor car trouble and helped Floyd change the distributor points.
In the summer of 1978 or 1979, my family traveled from Wichita to Montrose, primarily to visit Clarence and his wife Jessie Barnes. We stopped briefly in Delta, Colorado to see Floyd. As we drove up, Floyd was sitting on his front porch, taking a nap. My dad woke Floyd. Though Floyd probably had no idea we'd be stopping by, and hadn't seen my dad in several years, upon seeing my dad he immediately said his name. Floyd was very friendly. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd died at the age of 91 on May 18, 1986 in Amarillo, Texas. He was survived by his wife Helen Louise Mills of 1611 N. Buntin in Amarillo, four daughters; Juanita Smith of Grand Junction, Colorado, Dorothy Hyde of Mesquite, and Rosie Mae Stetson and Fern Coots, both of Amarillo; four sons, B. F., Jr. "Ben" of Denver, Colorado, Richard of Mesquite, Carl of Amarillo and Danny of Spearman; sister Daisy of Clippers Gap, California; brother, Clarence of Montrose, Colorado; 42 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.
It is thought that Floyd attended school to about the eighth grade, but that's only the half of it. Floyd often spoke of attending grade school with future world heavyweight boxing champion Jack Dempsey (1895-1983). Floyd remembered Jack in school as a bully. Dempsey, heavyweight champion from 1919-1926, lived in Montrose for a time before leaving home at the age of 16, riding the rails as a hobo and fighting grown men for small prize money in rough mining camps in the Colorado and Utah area. Dempsey may have fought as many as 100 unrecorded fights during this time. Floyd said Dempsey didn't use the first name Jack when they were attending grade school. This is correct. Jack's real name was William Harrison Dempsey. He later borrowed the first name of Jack from a well known boxer from years before. Note that Celia Dempsey, mother of William "Jack" Dempsey, operated a restaurant, the "Rio Grande Eating House," in Montrose, Colorado during the time the Gunnison Railroad Tunnel was being built. The tunnel, started in 1901, soon stopped from a lack of funds, resumed construction in 1905 and was completed in 1909. Professional boxing was a huge sport in those days with the heavyweights getting the biggest attention and the biggest purses. Working hard, Dempsey earned a title shot with heavyweight champion Jess Willard in 1919. The 6'-6" tall Willard was heavily favored and appeared to be in excellent shape, but that day Willard was very immobile and took a terrible beating. In a championship career that included an unequaled 3 year layoff from 1923-26, Dempsey defended his title 6 times. Four of these matches would draw world-wide attention including those against a much lighter and over-matched Georges Carpentier of France, and an exciting brawl with the powerful Luis Firpo of Argentina where Dempsey was literally knocked through the ropes and out of the ring. Dempsey was immediately (and illegally) helped back into the ring by spectators and won the fight. But Dempsey's best known fights were the two championship match-ups between (the slugger) Dempsey and (the boxer) New York native Gene Tunney in 1926 and 1927, both of which Tunney won in 10 rounds. These two Dempsey-Tunney fights would hold the record for the largest attendance for over 65 years! Following retirement, Dempsey remained connected to boxing and is well remembered today. But James Joseph "Gene" Tunney (1897-1978), who defeated the great Dempsey twice, went 3-0 as champion, suffered only 1 loss and 1 knockdown in his career, avoided media attention and is little remembered today except by boxing historians. (From the biography of heavyweight champion Jack Dempsey, entitled "A Flame of Pure Fire." Unfortunately, this book mentions nothing further about Montrose, Colorado but is a fascinating story of a guy born into a very poor family who would, for a time, become the most famous person in the world.)
Floyd Barnes was first married to Josephine Miller. In 1920, Benjamin F. Barnes, age 25, Josephine, wife, age 20, Phyllis, daughter, age less than 1 year, were living in Montrose, Colorado. His occupation was cabinetmaker in a furniture store. Nothing more seems to be known about Josephine and their daughter Phyllis, at this time.
Feb. 13, 1930, The Dodge City Journal;
Mr. and Mrs. Floyd Barnes and two children of Valley Springs, Arkansas, are visiting Mrs. Barnes parents, Mr. and Mrs. Crocket Travis and family.
Floyd's other occupations included farming, truck driver, manager of a service station, and also worked at a natural gas transfer station in Minneola, Kansas for 15-20 years. In 1930, the Federal Census shows that Floyd was living in Bloom, Township in Ford County, Kansas and was employed as a railroad laborer.
Floyd was next married to Ella Mae Travis for 32 years and they had seven children; Dorothy, Rosie, Fern, Ben, Richard, Carl and Danny.
Floyd's son, Ben, said that his father was about 5'-7" tall and had really large hands. Ben went on to say that his father was an unusually tough person. For instance, when Floyd broke his arm (in two places) while running a combine during harvest time, he had his son pour some water over his arm, then rested his arm on his leg and continued working because they had acres left to harvest before the job was done. Floyd did not like the cast that was soon placed on his broken arm and soon used wire cutters to trim it until it was very small. Floyd also liked to fight, including a fistfight at the age of eighty, which was a dispute with a neighbor over water rights. Two of Floyd's sons always tried to see if they could whip their dad in a fight. One son last attempted to do so when Floyd was in his eighties, but the sons were never successful. Ben, though standing inches taller and heavier than his dad, said he never wanted any part of tangling with his dad in a fight. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes.)
Floyd had an old, muzzle loading, cap and ball rifle, manufactured about 1862. No manufacturer's name was found on the gun, even when it was disassembled for repair. The gun was handed down to Floyd from his father, George, and was said to have been given to George from his father, Elijah Hicks Barnes. Floyd tried shooting this rifle just twice and apparently lacked the important information regarding the correct amount of gun powder needed to safely fire the rifle. The first time Floyd shot it, it knocked him across an irrigation ditch. The next time Floyd shot it he had a different plan, placing the butt of the rifle against a tree, but the recoil was so powerful it broke the stock. Amazingly, the gun (and Floyd) appeared to be otherwise undamaged. (Floyd's son Ben Barnes.)
Floyd was next married to Delourse. Her maiden name is unknown at this time. She was born in 1890 and died in 1964. Delourse is buried in Cedar Cemetery in Montrose, Colorado. A link to her Findagrave memorial page is located below, under family links. (Information regarding Delourse is from her funeral program supplied by Ellis Barnes, son of Carl Dean Barnes. Carl was a son of Floyd.)
Family stories that are told and retold sometimes get stretched a bit. That's normal. My dad (Gene H. Barnes) told us that his uncle Floyd had shot a bear in Colorado when Floyd was getting a bit older. The amusing thing was that Floyd seemed to get older each time my dad told the story, finally saying Floyd was about 80 years old. My dad wasn't too far off according to the following told by Floyd's son. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd enjoyed the outdoors and hunting. Around 1965-1968, Floyd shot and killed both a mule deer and a black bear in the same year in Colorado. (Floyd's son, Ben Barnes)
Family photos show that Floyd was in Wichita, Kansas for his brother Harry's funeral in August of 1973. Floyd's brothers Clarence and Ernest also attended. His nephew Gene said that Floyd had some minor car trouble and helped Floyd change the distributor points.
In the summer of 1978 or 1979, my family traveled from Wichita to Montrose, primarily to visit Clarence and his wife Jessie Barnes. We stopped briefly in Delta, Colorado to see Floyd. As we drove up, Floyd was sitting on his front porch, taking a nap. My dad woke Floyd. Though Floyd probably had no idea we'd be stopping by, and hadn't seen my dad in several years, upon seeing my dad he immediately said his name. Floyd was very friendly. (Larry E. Barnes)
Floyd died at the age of 91 on May 18, 1986 in Amarillo, Texas. He was survived by his wife Helen Louise Mills of 1611 N. Buntin in Amarillo, four daughters; Juanita Smith of Grand Junction, Colorado, Dorothy Hyde of Mesquite, and Rosie Mae Stetson and Fern Coots, both of Amarillo; four sons, B. F., Jr. "Ben" of Denver, Colorado, Richard of Mesquite, Carl of Amarillo and Danny of Spearman; sister Daisy of Clippers Gap, California; brother, Clarence of Montrose, Colorado; 42 grandchildren, 77 great-grandchildren; and 5 great-great grandchildren.
Inscription
We love you - Fern, George, Matt
Family Members
Siblings
Children
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
