Early Barry Story3: Down the Hallway

Griffith Coombe and Eugenia Calhoun Barry

Griffith C Barry, Jr. was born November 1863 in Bosque County, Texas to Griffith Coombe Barry and Mary Wingfield Claybrook. He was called GC Barry or on some documents he has his name as George C Barry. He was the fourth of six children. He lived his early years in Bosque, Texas.

Eugenia Calhoun was born in Februay 1865 in South Carolina to James E. Calhoun and Susan E. Miller. In 1880 she is 16 years old and was living with her parents in Anderson, Texas. She marries John H Aycock on 5 Dec 1882 in Anderson, Texas. They have a son, Edward Rains Aycock born on 17 Aug 1884. This marriage is dissolved. She marries W A ONeal on 15 October 1885 and this marriage is also dissolved. Her third marriage is to Griffith Coombe Barry, Jr known as GC Barry on 27 December 1888 in Bosque, Texas.

The 1900 US Census is the first time GC and Gena are found together as a family. They are living in Safford, Greenlee, Arizona.They have been married 12 years. It is not known when GC and Gena moved to Safford, Arizona or if they moved there from Texas or New Mexico but GC's younger brother Edward Barry and his family moved to Safford from New Mexico around September of 1899. Also, GC's niece, "Tidy" Barry Lipps was living in Anthony, New Mexico so perhaps GC was living in that area also. The Lipps family and GC Barry family were very close. In fact my father, James Oscar Hall, spoke of uncle GC Barry many times from things he had heard from the family although he never knew uncle GC. Newspaper articles mentioned that Eddie Barry, their son, was assistant secretary of a newly organized Literary Society Club in November 1898. So this gives some clue as to when GC and Gena moved to Safford.

GC must have been a favorite uncle to the Lipps family as the children were growing up. There probably weren't any other Barry uncles living close by. So GC and Gena were around the Lipps family quite often. Gena and "Tidy" even had their photo taken together wearing the same dress. Gena was a gifted musician and could play the piano by ear.

She taught the Lipps children to play the piano and other instuments. She was known as a music teacher. Each of the Lipps children often played for dances and other activities around the area. John Oscar Lipps played the fiddle, Otis played the piano, others played the quitar and mandalin.

Toward the end of 1898 GC Barry purchsed Nat Wanslee's saloon. It had a new pool table installed later on but it was sold in 1899. It was reported that Porter & Barry were retiring and John Brown took possession of the Safford Bar.

In September 1899 GC Barry started building a residence at NE corner of block 34 on Nineth & N Streets and made homestead entries of land in the U.S. Land Office. This is the same block 34 that Susan E. Calhoun, mother of Gena, owned in Safford. Susan E Calhoun has been living with GC and Gena and was in ill health. She was a widow coming from Palestine, Texas where she had lived many years. She died on 22 March 1901. In her will she left her property and investments with the Deel Company of Safford to Eugenia. I have old documents of the Deel Co. and other dealings of C Barry with this company given to me by David Lipps. They were all stored in an old rusty tin bread box. I don't know how he got it.

GC continued with the resturant and saloon business in 1900. Along with the Deal, Johnson and Barry company, a two story brick saloon building was built on a lot across the street and east of the old post office building. Later in April 1901 is is reported that Barry purchased the interest of his partners, Deel and Johnson in the new saloon and resturant on 10th Street. An item of interest with this saloon was an attempted hold up in which the hold up man was killed. Evidently this saloon burned down in 1902 but I could not find any details about it except that Barry gave permission to have the last standing wall demolisted.

Eddie Barry gratuated from High School and went on to the Arizona Territory University in Tucson in 1900 and 1901. There was no mention that Eddie was adopted by GC Barry but Eddie took his last name. His biological father's name was on his death certificate. There is much mentioned in the Safford Guardian Newspapers showing that GC and Gena Barry were very involved in community activities. Gena had a lovely soprano voice and sang in many community programs and activities plus she was very talented playing the piano. On the other hand in 1901 GC was involved in the committe for the 4th of July July celebration in 1900. He created a corporation of the Safford Commercial Club and was on its board of directors. Its purpose was to "buy, purchase, appropriate or otherwise acquire, own, hold, bond, rent, lease, sublet, for either public or private purposes and uses....."

It seems that after his saloon burned down in Safford he went to Naco, a small town near the Mexican border and opened another saloon and resturant. There he had much success. John Oscar Lipps was even there with his family working in 1907. One incident that happened in 1907 was GC Barry was arrested and placed under bond for his appearance in court on a charge of stealing coal from the Cananea Railway Company. The Safford Guardian Newspaper says "the affair seems to be a batched up matter by some of his enemies. Barry was a former citizen of Safford and no one was held in higher esteem than he while here."

Again while in Naco, GC Barry is involved in the community. In 1906 there was another rally for Arizona and New Mexico to jointly apply for statehood. In a mass meeting of most of the entire population of Naco held in December 1907 and GC Barry acting as secretary, a telegram was sent to Washington stating that the citizens of Naco protest against the passage of the joint-statehood bill.

GC Barry loved the outdoors and often went out on scouting and prospecting trips. He wrote a letter to his friend in Morgan, Texas which got published in the Morgan newspaper on 7 Nov 1903. This story shows his lighter and humorous side and gives a glimpse into his personaligy. He mentions his friend Bob Frazier in the letter. (Take special note of the name Frazier. I believe the son of Bob Fraizier becomes very important in later years for Eugenia.)

[TO] Jack Hunter Morgan, Texas

Dear Friend:

We have just written a letter home and will drop you a few lines to let you know we are still living, after falling and rolling and tumbling up and down some of the highest mountains in the Sierra Madres, and we are thankful that we are still alive and no bones broken. Though Bob and I are both a little grayer then when we left on account of a quiet little meeting with Mr. Bear, of which I will tell you later on. The evening we left Naco, we followed the line east and at good dark struck a fine camp, ten miles from town. From there we went east to Fronteras river, down it to the town of same name, where we had to stand inspection by Mexican custom officers. They found our papers all o.k., and we proceeded south. Traveling south-east for about 100 miles when we passed Hot Springs, Aqua Calteiua, where I met an old friend named Foster who has said springs leased. Here we bought some mercal and proceeded east and crossed the head waters of the Yaqui river, where Deel's son-in-law, Lee Hudspeth has a ranch. Here we rested a few days and traveled down he river. One day after leaving the river and going over a high mountain, came down on a canyon covered with beautiful palm trees and a big cold mountain stream flowing through it. When we first struck the river we found fish plentiful, and after being surfeited on fish, we needed some venison. We decided to lay over in this palm grove and hunt over the adjoining country. So next morning, Bob and I saddled up, took our artillery and started out on what came near being our last campaign. About noon we were riding over a little hill, when up jumped two big bucks. I was in front and dropped one with my 30-30, when Bob cut down on the other one and broke his hip. We stuck the one that fell and went after the crippled one. We could not get sight of him, so we began trailing. In this entire country it is a succession of mountains and deep canyons, and many of these canyons are what they call boxed. They come together like two walls, hundreds of feet high. I find that when you jump a white-tail deer, they are like a mountain sheep, and make for the highest points. We followed him a very long distance, and all the time going higher till he went into and up the bed of a big canyon. This canyon narrowed as we went up until it boxed up. We could tell by the trail of blood that we were close to our game, and were down afoot leading the horses. I was ahead and Bob close to me, when just as we went around a rocky cliff we came right upon to....not our deer, but a big silver tip bear. This was something we were not hunting and were surprised to find. He had evidently smelt the deer's blood and was looking for a nice fat supper. I am satisfied that he thought Bob and I would fill the bill from the way he performed. Gena told us that the cannibals would get us, and it began to look like the cannibals would not have a chance at the good fat "gringos." If I had a little room I would have side stepped and introduced Mr. Bear to Bob, but the bear filled up the canyon in front and Bob behind, so I had to do something. I dropped my reins and cut down on him with my little 30-30 and caught him through the neck. It did not break his neck, so he came up on hind feet with the blood running out of his mouth, and he looked big as a mountain.

When I fired, I worked my gun so quick that the shell would not eject, or a cartridge go in. You know Bob had a big 40-72 Winchester, which we called the heavy artillery. Well, right here the heavy artillery saved the day and my scalp. When my gun hung, I jerked out my knife and dropped on my knees and began gouging out the shell that had hung. Bob stepped up and fired over me and the bear let out a horrible grunt when those 40-72's ploughed through him. In a few seconds I had my gun all right, and we sent a solid stream of lead in Mr. Bear and he rolled over not ten feet from us. The sweat was rolling off of Bob like a summer shower, and I was a little wet myself. Our horses had run off down the canyon and we found them half a mile away. By the time we got them and got our bear trimmed up, we pulled out, leading the horses with the bear packed on them, cut in two. We went by and got the deer and by the time we got to camp it was 9:30 o'clock and very dark. The boys were very uneasy, as we expected to get in to a late dinner. We stayed over there two days, like the Indians, eating and fishing. We left our bear hide at a Mexican camp and if we return that way will take it home. We traveled from there down the Yazis to Apute and Huasabos. Here we left the river and turned east to Bacadahuachi, where we discovered an interesting old town. There is a church there over three hundred years old, built by the Spanish priest, of brick and mortar. It is a beautiful old structure, but was partly destroyed by an earthquake sixteen years ago. From there we came to this place to look at the range and cattle. This is a fine cattle range, and we have looked around here for several days. We came back today from the Gordova ranch, several leagues east of here. He has a ranch of about 40,000 acres and 500 cattle. If his ranch was not so badly eat out, we would have bought it and the cattle. The cattle are fat all over this country, but there is no level land except the few streams. Fine streams of water are running everywhere, but it is a common thing to see a good sized river with no bottom or valley at all. We are going north of here tomorrow to look over a country that has no stock in it. It is a fine watered country but no ranchers have gone into it on account of the Apaches. 'Tis almost dark, so I will close. We expect some mail at Sauhuaripa, which is ninety miles from here. All of these little valleys here were first settled by the Spaniards over three hundred years ago, and at every town a fine church was built by the priests. In those days the priests were the law givers and controlled the people like sheep. At this place the old church was destroyed sixteen years ago by an earthquake which passed over all this country and north through Arizona and New Mexico. All that is left of this old church is four bells which have Latin inscriptions on them dated 1718. They were cast of native copper. After these towns were settled by the Spanish, the Apaches [ ? ] is only ten years ago that they were suppressed. The presidente has been here 54 years, and has seen the Apaches massacre the people in the valley three different times. The weather is fine through these Montezumas. I judge the altitude is five or six thousand feet. Give our regards to Mr. Frazier and family. We expect to be in Naco by about Nov. 1st or 15th. I supposed you are home by now.

G. C. Barry

Mr. Barry was formerly a citizen of Bosque county and is well known there. Bob, to whom he refers in his letter, is our old friend, Bob Frazier, who left Morgan about a year ago for Naco, Arizona.

It is not known why GC and Gena sell their property in Naco and move to California but it probably has to do with with the company he formed called Johnson and Barry. GC Barry is listed in the city directories of San Francisco working for Johnson and Barry with a residence of Alameda in 1910 and 1911. During the years 1912-1915 he is working for Johnson & Higgins. It looks like he has sold his interest in the partnership of Johnson and Barry. During 1916 and 1917 he is a foreman working in San Joaquin.

When the draft started for WWI GC wrote a letter to Price Lipps, son of John Oscar and Tidy Lipps, dated October 17, 1917 from Los Angles, California

Dear Price,

Your letter was forwarded from San Joaquin to me here and received yesterday. Am glad to hear you are well and prospering. Stay with Uncle Sam, he is a good pay master-and say-Price, while I sincerely hope you will not be required to enlist in the army, if it comes about that you are called on to go, you must feel and know that it is your duty and also a blessing to go and fight for the grandish and greatish government on earth. And if you do go, be smart and keen, make a study of soldiering-and push yourself up- for there is always room higher up for the capobee man. And all thrugh life Price no matter what you tackle go to it with a vim and make good and there is always someone higher up who will recogize your efforts, and when they find out you are to be depended on, you will then be selected for more truth and honor. I came down from the ranch on Sept. 23rd having been going down hill for sometime and suffer very much. I supposed it to be a return of an old case of hemrroids but find out it is something further up in the lower bowels, and as it will not admit of an operation, I just have to tough it out and wait to see if I am to recover or to pass on. Since writing you back I have been promoted to position of assistant to the superintendent and am in charge of all the stock and farming operations as we raise and maintain many thousands of sheep, cattle and hogs and cultivate many thousands of acres, my responsibility is considerable. Eddie is the general forman under me and is making good. He gets 125.00 per month. The company built for me a nice new irrigation this summer and we are very comfortably installed there in. Gena has been here since last April and I guess will remain as she is always happy here but miserable on the ranch. Eddie and his wife live with me on the ranch which makes it very pleasant. I have put in a grain crop of 500 acres for a side issue and if I am lucky will make some side money. I passed through El Paso in April and was happy to see your Ma & Pa and the kids were happy. You all are about all there is in the world that have and it would be a great pleasure if we lived where we could see you all and mingle with you frequently. If the Good Lord lets me live maybe I can sometime buy me a home where we will be near. I regret very much that Bessie's husband had to enlist, but I am praying that the war will be over before the Sum?? reach the front. I hope to be able to run up to the ranch next week and probably return here again soon. I am so glad to hear your pa's pump is working all right for with a pump plant working and some alfalfa planted, good results will be received. I believe you told me your pa gave you 20 acres. Well you ought to put it in alfalfa soon as possible for alfalfa is a sure winner. Give all the home folks my love and write me when you feel like it. I have a fine saddle horse and a new 80.00 saddle and the co. has ordered me a new auto, so I hope and pray I will soon be able to take up my work and riding again. Yours Sincerely, GC Barry.---Jon Claybrook, oldest son of uncle Will who died a year ago has been here in school since his father's death. He is 18 years old and a fine clean manly boy. He came up to the ranch July 1st and worked 60 days during vacation and liked it fine. He herded hogs and made 3.00 per day. He is in high school here. He and his younger brother, Barry, who is with Ed at Safford both figure on going over to the ranch next vacation.. You remember Kittie Frazier at Naco? Well she has lately married a young lieutenant who was stationed at Naco. They are going to be transferred to San Diego this week. GC

GC's health continued to decline and he passed away on December 3, 1917 probably from colin cancer. Unfortunutally his son, Eddie Barry died the next year on December 1, 1918 from tuberculois. This left Eugenia alone in California. However, the son of Bob Frazier, John T Frazier, had been working with GC Barry's company. Bob Frazier was the very good friend of the Barrys. He had been living in Naco, Arizona the same time GC was there so it is no surprise that GC helped his good friend's son out with a job and GC was always willing to help out friends. John T Frazier is listed on the 1910 census in Inyo, California along with GC, Gena, Eddie and his wife Maud E working in a construction camp. Well, before you know it, John T and Gena are married on December 18, 1918 just a year after GC Barry died. The marriage license shows that John T Frazaier is 38 years old and this is his first marriage. Gena put down her age as 43, widowed and this would be her second marriage. John T was born June 14, 1884 and is actually the same age as Gena's son, Eddie. John T has some serious health problems develop and knows his time is not long and wants to go home to see his parents and siblings before he dies of Bright's Disease. So Gena brings him home to Florence, Arizona where his family is living. He dies April 3, 1924.

Where Gena goes after John dies is not known but she was in Bisbee, Arizona for awhile. Soon she finds the best place to live being the Pioneer Home in Prescott, Arizona. The requirement to live there is having living in Arizona at least 50 years. She moved there on July 28, 1927 at the age of 65. Gena does keep herself busy while living there and gets a job playing the piano at the famed Palace Bar. There is a Life Magazine article that mentions Gena doing this dated November 3, 1947. She must have been quite a character. She dies on July 9, 1948 in and was buried in Mountain View Cemetery in Precott, Arizona.