Totten - Martha Barr - Montgomery InGenWeb Project

Source: Crawfordsville Review 7 Jan 1919 p 1

Mrs. Martha Barr Totten, a weird and mysterious character of this city, wife of the late Dr. Emory Totten, who was at one time on eof Montgomery County's most prominent dentists, was found dead in a mysterious maner (sic) yesterday afternoon by officers Irwin and Rogers in her home 521 East Main Street. On not seeing the smoke from the flue of her home and the light glitter from her windows, Will Fell, who resides at 523 East Main in the house adjoining that of Mrs. Totten, notified the police and an investigation was started. Mrs. Totten was found sitting on the side of her bed with her head bent over upon the bed and her left hand hung down. That she had been dead for a period of apprxoimately two weeks was evident from the fact that rats had knawed (sic) the flesh from her hand. Coroner Griffith, of Alamo, was called over the telephone but on not being able to get in the city until tomorrow to make his inquest he released the body to the Barnhill undertaking establishment for the present. The last time Mrs. Totten had been seen or heard of was on December 23, when she called a taxi cab to go to the express office and call for a package. Shortly before that she made a visit to the home of Mrs. Eva Douglass on Walnut Avenue. She had been missed lately by her immediate neighbors who had been accustomed to seeing her strolling along the sidewalk to and from the business district of the city. Martha Barr Totten, authoress of several novels including, Lew Ott, was a pecular (sic) character. She was from a well known family and was born in this city the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Thomas J. Barr, but her age is not known and no records are avilable to reveal it. She was, however, over 65 years old. She married Dr. Totten in about 1863 and in 1876 moved with him to Bowling Green, Kentucky where her parents had moved. In 1879 she returned to this city with her husband who again, practiced dentistry. She was a member of the Methodist Episcopal Church and in early days was popular in social activities in the county. She was known over the entire county by the older generation. She had a sister, the late Mrs. James Hanna at Thorntown, whose death recently occured. She also owned property at Thorntown. Mrs. Totten's husband died 10 years ago and since that time she has lived alone in her own house at 521 E. Main where she was found dead. She was always on eof the peculiar characters of the city and her works as a novelist were of the weird fashion. She is survived by two brothers, Dr. JA Barr, Chicago, Ill; and Dr. Edward Barr, Bowling Green, Ky; also by a niece, Mrs. Frank Thomas, Louisville, Ky - kbz

Note: 1900 census C'ville lists her as being born October 1845 thus she would be about 73 years and a couple of months at her death

Source: Indiana Certificate of Death #18614 Martha E. Totten 521 E. Main, Crawfordsville, Union Twp, Montgomery County, Indiana
Female white Widowed
Husband: Emory Totten
Died 24 December 1918
Inquest upon her death - Dr. J.B. Griffith, Alamo - Housework
Unknown birth ( James is the informant)
Father; James Barr b. KY
Mother: Unknown
Buried Jan 8, 1919 in Oak Hill Cemetery by Barnhill Undertaking Company

Source: Crawfordsville Journal 6 Jan 1919 p 6

The body of Mrs. Martha Totten was found on the bed of her residence (smudge) 417? East Main Street this afternoon.  It was evident from the  condition of the remains that she had been dead for ten days or more.  The body was completely dressed and it appears as though she had been lying down and had attempted to arise when death overtook her.  She was last seen two weeks ago when she paid a call to Mrs. Emma Daugherty of Walnut Street.  None of the neighbors had seen her for a long time and this noon the police were notified and Chief Irwin and Officer Rogers went to the home and broke in the door.  Her apparent abstance created no surprise as she had told the neighbors she was going to Florida for the winter and she was a woman who courted no friendships.  Mrs. Totten was 70 years old and was the widow of the late Dr. Totten who died about six years ago. She is survived by two brothers, Dr. Barr of Chicago and Dr. Barr of Bowling Green, Ky and a nice, Mrs. Thomas of Louisville, Ky.

Source: Crawfordsville Weekly Journal 17 Jan 1919 p 7

The sad manner of the death of Mrs. Totten (Martha Barr Totten) has cast gloom over her friends. She had lived alone since the death of her husband in 1910. She often left town for a visit with relatives and friends without telling anyone of her plans.  Her neighbors had missed her but supposed she had gone away from town.  Mrs. Totten belonged to a pioneer family of the county.  The west part of the town is being built upon her father’s farm and Barr Street was named for the family.  Harley W. Ornbaum is the only descendant of the family living here.  Dr. Totten, who was a genuine Christian Gentleman and Mrs. Totten opened their home to five orphan children brought up and educated them, relatives of Mrs. Totten three of whom are dead. The Totten home was one of hospitality.  Dr. and Mrs. Totten entertained and were entertained by the leading people of the town during the days when people took time to be hospitable.  Mrs. Totten was a good hearted woman who never spoke ill of her acquaintances and always had a cheerful greeting for her friends.  She was the author of Lew Ott, a book dealing with the early history of Montgomery County.