Oscar Gillette Barnes Papers

Collection

Identifier: Mss 443

Staff Only

Scope and Contents

This Oscar G. Barnes papers have been organized into two series: Correspondence and Subject Files. The second donation of Barnes papers is primarily in box three with some items integrated into the original collection. The Correspondence Series consists mainly of letters received by Mr. Barnes while he was sheriff (1893-96). It concerns summons, complaints, warrants, foreclosures, sales, putting people in custody and other matters of law enforcement, as well as the fees charged by the sheriff for his services. Also included are numerous requests from people wishing to serve as jurors and also requests for information about people both from other sheriffs and from private citizens. Of interest is a set of papers on the Myron Kent Murder Case (1896). There is political correspondence covering Republican matters and his 1894 reelection effort and later correspondence dealing with his work as County Commissioner, including improvements on the Cass County Hospital and relief work (1897). Other correspondence concerns the Adolph Blom Company estate (1897), and the water and power business (1903). Mr. Barnes’s mail, both national and local is from a wide variety of people especially law officers, attorneys, businessmen, and state officials; including Governor Roger Allin, Governor Edwin Sarles, C.M. Dahl, Warden N.F. Boucher, M.A. Hildreth, Robert M. Pollock, Thomas A. Yerxa, the Pinkerton Detective Agency, H.G. Langlie, Commissioners A. Halbert and N.L. Stafford, H.G. Gisbson, Marshall Cronan, Sheriffs J.I. Eddy, J. Hoys, A.T. Drakely, Will Seaver, C. Hill, George Bingenhermer, and many others including a suit involving Bishop Shanley (1894). In the Subject Files Series is the 1893 and 1896 calendar for the Cass County District Court, listing all court cases and attorneys as well as the county officers and members of the Petit Jury. There is a program from the 1928 Cass County Fall Show and Fair, and numerous personal financial papers, chiefly bills and recipts from various Fargo businesses (1887-1912). From Mr. Barnes’ days as sheriff are many telegrams, auditor’s warrants, and railroad passes. There is the specifications for the house built by Barnes at 502 8th Street South in Fargo, designed by the Hancock Brothers, and includes a Hancock billing, and booklet for the floors in the house. There is a farm tax schedule for 1918, several black letterheads of O.G. Barnes, a library card (18893) for an apparent private lending library located at the Monson’s Shoe store., a mortgage deed with M. Cassidy in 1899, and property tax statements from 1897 to 1920.

Dates

1891-1928.

Creator

Barnes, Oscar Gillette, 1855-1913. (Person)

Access

The collection is open under the rules and regulations of the Institute.

Copyrights

The copyright for the 1955 donation is not held by the Institute for Regional Studies. The copyright for the 2000 donation is held by the Institute for Regional Studies.

Biography

Oscar G. Barnes was born April 18, 1855 to Hiram and Esther Barnes, at Lyme, Grafton County, New Hampshire. Upon leaving school, Mr. Barnes went to Boston, Massachusetts, where he was in the hotel business for five years, going after that to Cincinnati, Ohio for five years. In 1882 he came to Fargo, North Dakota, where he worked in the real estate business of J.B. Weaver and Company for two years, leaving that to work as superintendent in the Fargo Foundry. He then went into business in the molding trade until 1886 when he was appointed Deputy Sheriff under J.D. Benton, serving there six years until he was elected Cass County Sheriff in 1892. He was Sheriff until 1897, after that serving as Chairman of the Cass County Board of Commissioners, as well as general manager of the Union Light, Heat and Power Company of Fargo. He later served as vice president and member of the Board of Directors of the Merchant’s National Bank of Fargo. On September 3, 1890, in Wisconsin, Mr. Barnes was married to a former Fargo schoolteacher, Anna Cassaday of Whitewater, Wisconsin, born there April 15, 1856. Two children, Carroll and Esther were born to them. Esther died about June 28, 1901. Mr. Barnes died May 20, 1913, and Mrs. Barnes died July 12, 1929. All are buried at Riverside Cemetery, Fargo. Mr. Barnes was a member of the Benevolent Protective Order of Elks, Fargo Commercial Club, and the Loyal Knights. He was a prominent Republican, a founder of the Young Men’s Club and member of the National Guard, Company B. He also belonged to the New England Society.

Extent

1 Linear Feet (1 linear ft.)

Language of Materials

English

Additional Description

Abstract

Cass County Sheriff from 1892-1897 as well as Chairman of the Cass County Board of Commissioners.

Provenance

Donated by Carroll O. Barnes, Fargo, N.D., 1955 (Acc. 443) and Barbara Barnes Pawlak, 2000. (Acc. 2591)

Separation Record

The following non-manuscript items have been removed from the Oscar Barnes Papers and sent to the section indicated. Maps - Institute Map Collection, consult Institute Map Catalog.

F. L. Anders’ Map of the City of Fargo, Cass County, North Dakota (1915) Plat of City of Fargo, (ca. 1895), D.W. Ensign and Company Railroad map of South Dakota, (1902), Rand, McNally, and Company Rand McNally and Co.’s Dakota (1884?) Periodicals (Institute manuscript collection of Fargo theater programs)

Various Fargo theater programs, ca. 1910-1913, 1928