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 re-election 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 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. 
 

Oscar G. Barnes Papers  |  Politics and Government