Gash Cemetery
Nestled in serenity under a
canopy of protecting age old elms, oaks, maples and
firs is the Gash Cemetery, located on North West
Barry Road and North Broadway, Kansas City, Missouri.
It is an unassuming current reminder of the
hardships, benevolence, courage and fortitude of
those who lived before us. Even today it shows us the
same qualities as it sits only a car's width away
from the rush of everyday traffic. The hustle and
roar of Barry Road lends it little attention except
to those who look for the less hectic.
How did it come to be on the edge of this very social
road? Who are the residents of Gash Cemetery? How
does it influence us today?
We stop now, if only for a moment from our busy lives
to wonder. We pause, allowing our mind to imagine who
and what came before us and how we, too, are before
those who will come after. Shall someone ever
peacefully give our existence a moments thought?
A garrison road leading from Liberty Landing to Ft.
Leavenworth, remained essentially unnamed until 1820
when Barry Post Office was placed nearby along the
road, in honor of the newly appointed Wm. F. Barry,
Post Master General under Andrew Jackson's first year
administration. So then, the road also became known.
By 1829 the town of Barry had been established. Land
Grants had been awarded and newcomers filtered in.
Barry, MO., was a trading area on the edge of Indian
Territory. Travelers bound for the West and the
Oregon Trail were prevalent. In 1835 a public well
was dug to accommodate the influx. By 1836 the Town
and surrounding area became a part of the Platte
purchase. In that land acquisition Barry became
divided down Main Street, half remaining in Clay
County, the other in the newly created Platte County,
having two sheriffs, one for each side of the street.
JOSEPH GASH 1797-1852
In 1821, Joseph Gash, of Buncombe, NC., was awarded
nearby land through the Federal Land Grant Program.
It wasn't until 1832, however, that he finally
arrived with his wife, Eliza and three daughters,
Margaret, Sarah, and Pauline. His family grew to
include Thaddius, Theodore, Louisiana and Milas. The
eldest son, Thaddius, born in 1834, died at the age
of five, thus becoming the first in the Gash family
cemetery to be lain to rest. His resting place was
just a few yards from the public well along side
Barry Road. So even in the beginning the cemetery was
in the sight of many passers-by. All Gash family
members are buried here with the exception of
Theodore and Louisiana.
Known as an energetic business man, he was a
prominent public figure and served for many years as
the local Justice of the Peace. He and Eliza enjoyed
successful financial gain through industry and
economy and were substantially influential members in
their church and community. Their land holdings
included 160 acres divided between town and a country
farm known as the "Buncombes".
After his death, Eliza, 1801-1865, continued the
family business, including farming and raising her
children.
We see remnants of the Gash family influence through
Gashland, MO., as the area later became known;
Gashland School, Gashland Medical Clinic and Gashland
Churches including the Baptist, Presbyterian and
United Methodist denominations.
For 126 years the Gash Cemetery had been used for
family and relatives consisting of some 39 sites. The
last member to be buried here was Lubelle Gash,
1884-1965. It has been closed since its acquisition
by the Metro North Mall.
Dan Carpenter, 1825-1920
Migrating as a young man, with his parents, William
and Hanna, brothers Amos and William, sisters Emla
and Clarinda, they came from Ohio to Clinton County,
Missouri. With Amos he opened a mercantile business
in Randolph, Missouri. He became dissatisfied with
the management of it and moved to Barry and opened
his own store in 1847. In 1850 his adventurous spirit
lead him to organize an ox train and travel west for
five months selling his goods along the way through
Salt Lake City, Utah to California. There he searched
for gold, fell gravely ill and returned in the Panama
Canal and New Orleans. Reopening the business, he
settled into become one of the most respected
citizens of the community. It was in 1853 that he
married Pauline Gash, 1831-1924. Over the years he
enjoyed a reputation of fair and honorable dealing.
Greatly admired, he frequently officiated, in the
absence of a minister, funeral services for friends
and neighbors. Generous of heart and religious of
soul, he often assured them of the Christ Gospel and
the reward of a "glorious resurrection". As
a religious gentleman, he was elder in the local
Presbyterian Church for 53 years and taught over 150
students in Sunday School during a 57 year tenure.
His activities in the community were varied. Besides
the mercantile business, he acted as Postmaster at
Barry Post Office for the most of 40 years, under
Presidents Pierce, Buchanan, Lincoln, Johnson, Grant,
Hayes, Garfield, Arthur, and Cleveland. His farming
abilities were evident, having one of the largest
orchards in the county, located just about where
Metro North Mall now sits. General farming was also
conducted on his 166 acre parcel.
For 16 years he served as a Notary Public. He was an
active Free Mason and was a Worshipful Master for 12
years. Later in life, after selling his business, he
became the Depot Master for 8 years at the newly
constructed Railroad Station, located where Barry
Road and N. Oak Trafficway intersect, on the
southwest corner.
Politically, he was generally Democrat and supported
in earnest the election of Grover Cleveland. His true
political belief was, "The greatest good to the
greatest number".
His wife joined in his community benevolence,
teaching Sunday school as well as music to young
ladies. She was a prominent leader of the interests
of society especially the young. With her, their
highest aspirations were,
"To serve the present age
Their calling to fulfill.
May it all their powers engage
To do their Master's Will."
Dan Carpenter's family members, including his
parents, sisters, niece, nephew and maternal
Grandfather, are also in the Gash Cemetery.
Articles written by him in matters of agriculture and
politics can now be found on the internet.
William Carpenter, 1790-1873
A native of Virginia, he traveled North with his
parents to Ohio. Being a man of vast experience and
extensively informed in matters of history, science,
mechanics, politics and religion, he originally was a
merchant and surveyor by trade. He served only one
term as a State County Representative, declining
re-election to the "muddy pool of
politics". Militarily, he gained rank as colonel
of a regiment in the Ohio malitia; was a "Minute
Man", and was called to the front in the War of
1812. A man of considerable wealth prior to the Civil
War, he lost most of it during that time. At the age
of 75, he was admitted to the Bar and practiced law
in the Platte County Circuit Court. He was married to
Hanna Clark, 1798-1881. Her father, Samuel Clark,
1768-1854, is buried next to the Carpenter monument.
Mills Lee Gash, 1845-1931
The youngest child of Joseph and Elias Gash, he was
reared on the family farm, learning all aspects
successfully, primarily agriculture and stock
raising. He enjoyed the respect and confidence of all
who knew him. His reputation was of having a warm
heart and a home open to the needy. Along with other
family members, including his parents and sister, was
a true activist of Christianity.
He amassed a large farm of some 240 acres of well
improved land and it was stocked with fine cattle,
hogs, sheep and horses. That acreage was situated on
the southern edge of Barry Road approximately the
frontage of Metro North Mall and East.
In 1876, he married Mary Sparks, 1865-1034, who was
known as an excellent lady; a cheerful and happy
wife; a kind and faithful mother. She acted as
partner to her husband in his endeavor of the
advancement of his religious beliefs.
Her parents, sister, two brothers, sister-in-law and
nephew are also buried in the cemetery.
William S. Estes
b. March 30, 1805
d. October 12, 1846
Malinda H. Estes, his wife
b. February 13, 1809
d. December 23, 1905
Joel Estes
b. May 16, 1773
d. January 2, 1857
Rachel, wife of Joel Estes, daughter of Jeremiah Ward
and Anny of Cabell county, West Virginia
b. March 16, 1771
d. December 16, 1841
Jack Adams
b. March 22, 1827
d. June 5, 1857
John Estes
b. 1810
d. August 22, 1862
Diadem. H. Estes, wife of Joel R.
b. May 11, 1837
d. April 22, 1855
Sarah Jackson, daughter of Joel Estes and Rachel Ward
b. December 15, 1794
d. March 20, 1870
Maude L. Trader, daughter of W. S. & R. S.
b. October 27, 1881
d. July 4, 1883
