Harris - Barnett C.
BARNETT C. HARRIS
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 operaing a drug store on the west side of the square. When Rockville celebrated its cetennial in 1924, Mr. Harris spent the summer here making moving pictures of churches, schools, every organization in town and its oustanding 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.”