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History of Oceana County, Michigan
H. R. Page & Co., Chicago - 1882


         [p 145]

         MYSTERIES

           On Section 31 there stood a log-house with a small clearing,
	 now abandoned, and in the house lived HARVEY BARBER and his wife.
	 HARVEY'S brother had returned from the army on a visit, having a
	 Spencer carbine, a navy shooter and a sum of money, the amount
	 of which is unknown. The brother had ague, and was taking
	 quinine, the supply of which being exhausted, his sister-in-law
	 stated that she had found in Pingree's shanty, in Ferry, between
	 Maple Ridge and Reedville, a little vial, which she had buried in
	 the cellar, but had saved the contents, which she was certain was
	 quinine. The man examined the substance, and believing it to be
	 quinine, took a dose, and started with HARVEY to cut bean poles;
	 but on climbing on the fence he fell over in a fit, and as soon as
	 HARVEY brought him in the house he expired in convulsions. As he
	 was about to be buried, the neighbors sent word to DR. HAWLEY, as
	 coroner, who got a jury, and held an inquest. But, although it was
	 ascertained that it was strychnine, guilt was not proved. Afterward
	 an uncle of the BARBERS had HARVEY and wife arrested, but did not
	 follow up the case. This was in 1865. The Barbers "went to the
	 bad" - he being sent to state's prison for stealing in Mason County,
         and she being in jail in Hart for theft.

           The first school in Newfield was nearly two miles north of
         Hesperia, and was a log structure, was called No. 1, and was in
         EDWARD LORE'S district. The first officers were, ED. LORE, director;
         A. McLAREN, moderator, and MR. BREWER, assessor. Miss ISABEL MAYNARD,
	 first teacher. The BREWER mentioned as school assessor, mysteriously
	 disappeared, and is supposed to have perished in the woods.
	 In 1864 he started off as a book agent, having been a resident on
	 160 acres of land since 1862. The old man, who was regarded as
	 eccentric, to use the mildest term, was never afterward seen in
	 Newfield He left a wife and five children.

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