Harris - Barnett Walter
BARNETT WALTER HARRIS
born 9 November 1876 Waveland, Montgomery County, Indiana died 27 January 1960 Pinellas County, Florida
married Lucille Vendome 19 March 1928
Below is a crude chronological overview of some of what Barnett Harris did in life
========================
Source: 1900 Census #109 - Main Street, Crawfordsville, Montgomery County, Indiana
Robert Johnson November 1821 widowed 9 children 5 living b Ky Father b KY Mother b KY
Barnett W. Harris grandson Oct 1876 IN IN IN
Bessie Eugenia Harris granddaughter September 1878 IN IN IN
==============
Source: Waveland Independent, Friday, Dec 26, 1902 - Former Residents: Where some of them are and what a few are doing
Barnett Harris is manager of the Acetylene Supply Company in Indianapolis.
==================
Source: Rockville Republican 8-16-1905-- Some months since mention was made in the Republican of an aerial electric car device upon which barnett, son of Stanton Harris of this place was working. It was then the intention to use the device for carrying mail of packages. It has since been expanded so that passengers can be carried. In Friday's Indianapolis News was an illustration of the car with the following description which will be read with much interest by Parke Co friends of the inventor. An invention looking to the solution of the problem of transportaiton in rural communities, where by reason of physical obstacle, steam and electric lines cannot well be used iw now being perfected by BW Harris of Waveland, Ind. In brief the invention includes an overhead system of cables that hold up the car beneath, these cables not only furnishing support but also carrying the current of electricy for power. The car thus operated can be used for either freight or passengers. The experimental car that Mr. Harris has constructed at Mattoon, Ill where he is now working will hold 5 people. The cables supporting the car are in turn supported by poles. Uneven breaks in the ground, little hills and valleys have no effect on the level plain of the cable as the poles are cut to a length that keep the cables level. The long aerial car is of alumnium coming to a short point at both ends to do away with as much resistence as possible. At each side there is a small door by which the operator enters. The propelling power - electricy - is derived by the brass wheels upon which the car glides from the cables which form the track. The four wheels, which are about 14" in diameter are deeply grooved, thus making it possible for the car to leave the cables. Mr. harris can control the car at all times from within having levers and switches by which he can reverse, start or sop the car instantly. The current is turned into the cables by a switch at one end of the track and when not in use this is turned off, thus making a saving of power. The present car, which is of the type which all are expected to assume, for a time, at least, will provide comfortable room for 5 men. The car is expected however to be used in transmitting mail, express and freight rather than human burdens at first, althou the inventor expects that it will gradually beocme a carrier of passenger traffic. Mr. Harris expects that in time his invention will supplant the rual delivery wagon in many communities, holdin gthat delivery can be made more readily and in less time than it is made at present and with much less expense, and that there can be absolutely no interference. The car would make the trip in all kinds of weather as atmospheric conditions would have no effect upon it. At present it is almost impossible for a team to make the rout over some of the country roads during the winter. The inventor expects to add to his equipment for carrying rural mail a smaller car of the ame pattern to be .. rest of article gone
===================
Source: 1910 census Chicago Cook Co IL p 31 Ward 31
lives with several other men (probably in a hotel)
Harris, Barnett 33 single IN IN IN Works in Hotel
=======================
Source: Waveland Independent Jan 10, 1913
Barnett Harris of Chicago spent Sunday with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. SS Harris. Mr. Harris is giving his entire time to inventions and he has a very promising future as an inventor. He recently invented an ingenious "advertising clock," the rights to which he recently disposed of for $10,000. The hands and numbers on the clock are illuminated and then the illumination is made to gradually disappear, after which the advertiser's name becomes illuminated on the face of the clock. The process is then reversed and the hands and nubmers and the advertiser's name alternately become illuminated - Rockville Tribune.
====================
Source: Rockville Tribune, Oct 19, 1917
S. S. HARRIS has received word from his son, Barnett Harris of Chicago that the latter had entered an ambulance corps of the Ill National Guard and is now in the service. Mr. Harris' ability was soon recognized by the officers and he was at once put to work drilling recruits, his military experience while a member of the old Rockville battery being invaluable to him. During the past few years Mr. harris has been connected with one of the largest moving picture film producing concerns in Chicago and two years ago was sent by this company to make a tour of Europe most of the time being spent in Japan.
=====================
Source: Waveland Independent May 24, 1918
Barnett Harris has gone to France to help take care of our soldiers. On the eve of his departure he penned the following lines:
"The Port of Missing Men" O
ut of the Morning Shadows Springs forth the light of day
And sprinkles its rays like a golden haze
O'er the train that speeds us away
Somewhere we left the loved ones true
To fight for the Red, WHite & Blue,
We know now how, nor where nor when
We land n the port of missing men
But every man will meet the test
Some may return, while others rest
Beneath some barrage battered hill
Where shot or shell have laid them still,
May their dust arise with the wind that blows,
And fertilize some blooming rose,
For we know not who, nor where nor when
We land in the port of missing men.
For the day will come when the war is o'er
When wars like this can be no more
When monarchs fall and lose their might
And the world is ruled by the peoples' right
When the troops come home from victories won
Then we'll know and not till then
Who passed the port of missing men
Aboard a train to an unknown port, for an unknown ship.
Good bye to you all. BARNETT HARRIS 1st Sgt Ambulance Co. 129, 108th Sn. Train, 33rd Div, AEF, Care PM, New York City
===================
Source: Waveland Independent, July 4, 1919
"Barney" Harris is back in the USA and writes to the Rockville Tribune as follows: Well, here I am back among the best people on earth - again the home of pies and doughnuts. After the grand reception we received in Chicago we went to Camp Grant. I expected to be mustered out and down home by the last of next week. I guess there were not many of the boys of our old class that served in the war. That's what I get for not being married, but I have had enough experience to do the whole class. I didn't miss much over there. My discharge papers will show me in the defense of Albert - Amiens sector, June 26 to August 8, Somme offensive, Aug 8-20; defense of Verdian sector, west of Meuse, September 8-25; Meuse-Argonne offense, Sept 26-Oct 20; defense Troyon Sur Meuse sector, Oct 25 to Nov 8; Troyon Sur Meuse sector offensive, Nov 9-11. Recommended Nov 8 by commanding officer, train commander and divisional surgeon for a commission. Received citation later for DSM. Never answered sick call or absent a day off duty during the war. Now I say, old horse, that ain't to bad for an old bird like me, is it? Note: Barnett was in his early 40s during the war) I also have a wonderful collectikon of photographs which will be published in two weeks in a book or album form. So call up dad and tell the "stinker" I will let him know "just" when I will come down and have plenty of saw dust around the old stove. Although The Tribune may be in error, it believes to Jesse L. Rohm and Barnett Harris belongs the honor of being the oldest volunteers in the service from Parke County serving in the WW. Although Mr. Harris for several years previous to his enlistment was working in Chicago, as an expert moving picture machine operator, he always had warm spot in his heart for Rockville and ever referred to it as his home
=================
.Source: Waveland Independent July 25, 1919
Sgt Barnett Harris, in Rockville a week ago visiting his father, S.S. Harris writes the Tribune that upon his return to chicago he learned he was a hero, finding one certificate of merit, one div citation and a citation from the War Department for gallantry.
Source: 1920 Chicago Ward 21 Cook County, Illinois (Center Street - 317)
Age: 43 b Indiana Father: Indiana Mother: Indiana single Motion Picture Photographer
Source: NY Passenger List arrived 20 May 1926
Born : 9 Nov 1876 Indiana - Waveland Age: 49 Departure: Singapore Port of Arrival: NY NY Ship: President Harrison
Source: Waveland Independent, Jan 1, 1926
Capt. Barnette Harris recently sailed from San Francisco on board the steamship President Van Buren for Benkellen, Sumatra, to join the Harvard Eclipse Expedition. He will photograph the total eclipse of thes un on January 14. Capt. Harris is equipped with the largest motion picture camers in the world - Terre Haute Star.
==================
Source: 1940 Census St. Petersburg, Pinellas Co Florida
age 63- Partner Foreman - School - HS - 4th year - working on own account IN
Lucie V. wife 49
Charlott 11 daughter
=====================
Source: National Society of the Sons of the American Revolution Application Jan 25, 1956 John Kellogg State Registrar
Barnett W. Harris, Descendant of Abijah North Names of Children & Grandchildren of Application Full name of wife: Lucille Vendome Berg born 4-24-1891 married 3-19-1928
Child: Charlotte Ann (Harris) Kavouras
Top Sgt MC 33rd Div WWI Capt in CCC 25 years in Organized Reserve now listed on Officers Honorary Retired List Holds British Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, Verdun Medal, Purple Heart, Silver Star
========================
Source: Tri-County News Feb 4, 1960
Word has been received here of the death of Capt. Barnet HARRIS of Sarasota, Fl. Capt. Harris was born and raised in Waveland.
========================
Source: Rockville Republican 2-4-1960
“Mrs. Florence Catlin Rhoades and Wal Hobson, who are in Florida, both sent clippings to The Republican office telling of the death of Capt. Barnett G. Harris, age 83, which occurred Jan. 27, at his home in Clearwater, Fla. Born in Waveland, he was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Stant Harris and as a youth with his parents came to Rockville to reside, his father operat¬ing a drug store on the west side of the square. When Rockville celebrated its cen¬tennial in 1924, Mr. Harris spent the summer here making moving pictures of churches, schools, every organization in town and its out¬standing residents, as well as scenic pictures here and in Parke county. Mr. Harris was known as a scientist, inventor, explorer and big game hunter. He pioneered in a number of fields, going to Clearwater in 1936 after years of travel in the wild areas of the globe. He made three trips around the world and once lived in Dutch East Indies photographing rubber plantations for commercial houses. He had gained a reputation as a scientist and inventor by developing one of the first three-dimensional motion picture cameras, by filming a complete eclipse of the sun and by inventing the "mercy bullet" used to collect animals alive for Museums, including Chicago's Field Museum. The rocket bullet was made with a hypodermic needle which when injected into the animal put it to sleep long enough to cage it. As a motion picture photographer he caught the first picture of a Japanese volcano in eruption and made the first aerial shot of Niagara Falls. Working with his wife, Lucille, they opened the Sea Orama museum in Clearwater which displays models of marine life realistically made and painted by Mr. Harris and his wife. He retired in 1957 and Mrs. Harris took over. He as a member of the Clearwater Episcopal church and Medina Masonic lodge. He was a captain in World War I and that name stayed with him. Surviving besides the widow is a daughter, Mrs. George N. Kavouras of McPherson, Kan.; a sister, Mrs. Pete Schweitzer (Bess Harris) of Fayette, Ark.; and four grandchildren. As requested in his will his body will be cremated and its ashes scattered in the Gulf of Mexico after private funeral services.”