Benjamin Franklin Barnes

From: James or Nellie Craig
Date: Mon, 1 Jun 1998 12:39:39 -0700 (PDT)
Subject: [CA-GOLDRUSH] Most Wanted: Benjamin F. BARNES

I seek information on the burial place of Benjamin Franklin BARNES, who departed Randolph Co, MO about May 1, 1850 for CA. On Aug 19, 1850 he wrote to his wife, Agnes Reed BARNES, from the North Fork of the American River, stating that he and his partner had "made location on this river." On Nov 10, 1850 Barnes' partner Dr. W. F. Cartmill wrote, "It is with deepest regret that I take my pen to inform you concerning the sorrowful circumstances transpired within the last few days." Benjamin BARNES had died of cholera. Cartmill continued, "He is interred on a beautiful eminence in Ranchonee Graveyard. (Some have thought it may have been Ranchoria.) His tomb I dug in solid rock with my own hands. I have a rock prepared to place at his head in memory of him... He left me at Volcano Diggings while he would go to Sacramento City. . .He had returned to within 15 miles of Volcano to Ranchonee when the first symptoms appeared." I would appreciate any information about a possible burial place for Benjamin Barnes. James Craig