Week 48’s topic is “Troublemaker”.  I think of my grandfather’s cousin, Ward. Ward was a troublemaker, mostly to himself. Born in 1895 to Thomas Barber and Laura Butcher, he was their only child. In March of 1918, he was drafted into the Army and served as rank of private.

He married a woman named Lillian in 1920. They had one child, a daughter named Rose Mary, born in 1921.

Alcohol seemed to be the root cause of his trouble. In his early 20’s, Ward was involved in a motor vehicle accident (alcohol likely involved). He and a passenger hit a bridge. He survived as the impact created pressure that kept his wound from bleeding until he could be rescued.

Records show he worked as a salesman, and as a farm laborer. Sadly, his life ended in 1927 at age 32. He was found in a “drinkery cellar”. He had been in some type of altercation, as he had cuts and a bump on the head. The doctor did not believe he had died from his injuries. Later it was found he died from poison liquor.

I often think about him. My grandfather would mention him at times. I think it bothered him to have lost his cousin so young. Grandpa had already lost his brother 5 years earlier. I think Grandpa would have preferred Ward make “good trouble” as opposed to the type of trouble he was making for himself.

Week #49 is a much cheerier topic – Family Recipe!