Bealde/Hand County Area (Mitchell, Wessington: loan, homes, live)

[jmcorry]

I am looking for information on my family's old property out there is good old SD. My GGG Grandfather William "Billy" Barnes homesteaded on the Beadle County line north of Wessington (city) along the border with hand county. His father, Ambrose, resided there as well along with Billy's wife, and eight kids. They lived in a soddy for part of there stay (1881- abt. 1918) on a large section of land in what was Nance Township, generally Farming. I know the exact location of the property (1890's style-- in other words I don't know how I could find it with today's roads, but I have located it with the BLM and have certified land records to prove it.). It is located roughly between 374th Ave. (on the western county line) and what I beleive is local Highway 28. I beleive that a creek flows through the property, but I'm not entirely sure of the precise name. I'm just hoping to find out if there are any reminants of the old house, barn or other buildings of any information. Please contact me by email at jmcorry@sbcglobal.net if you have any information.

[Jammie]

HI. I have no info for you about that, but was wondering if there were descendants named Bill Barnes. There was a man by that name who lived in Mitchell and had a car dealership for years. He seemed to be plagued by alcoholism, but after conquering his problem, he helped many people recover. He was there to support and educate others and loaned his dealership office out for people to have AA meetings in. He's no longer alive, but was a very nice person. (I guess if he were alive he'd be near 100 by now.)

[jmcorry]

No, unfortunately the Billy Barnes I'm looking into was born in 1857 and died in 1942. He had nine kids, eight of whom survived into adulthood. All of the kids were born between 1880 and 1901 and many of the family remained in the Beadle/Hand county reigon where they were among some of the original settelers of the teritory before it became a state.