Chapter 3: Insane and Incompetent

Now I would like to share with you what happened in 1939. I apologize in advance for the length of this chapter and for the legal jargon that is sometimes difficult for many of us to decipher. But I think for us to grasp what Grover Sr. was doing, I need to attach the legal documents which were sealed at the Tulsa Count Court House.
On July 1st of 1939, Grover Jerry Barnes Sr. filed at Tulsa County an  Order for Hearing Petition for Appointment of Guardian concerning Myrtle Barnes, insane and incompetent. The notice was posted in three different public places and a copy served to Myrtle Barnes, Grover J. Barnes, Jr., Wm. Paul Barnes and Betty Jo Barnes July 3, 1939. They were are all four to appear in court on July 8, 1939. I think it is important to note that Grover Sr. took this action just 6 weeks before his eldest son, Grover Jr. would turn 21 on August 18, 1939 and would no longer be a minor in the State of Oklahoma.
On July 8th of 1939, Myrtle nor the children appeared in court, therefore a Bench Warrant was issued for Myrtle to be brought to the Tulsa County Court House on the 31st of July, 1939. It was also requested that the three children be brought in with her. The back of the Bench Warrant states that she was served and Myrtle was physically brought to Court House by the Sheriff's Department. My Aunt Betty remembers being at the Court House but does not remember being brought in. She cannot remember much of what went on that day. Just remembers being told to be quiet. I am quite sure that after family and friends witnessed Myrtle's behavior, which I described in the previous chapter, Grover hadn't any problems convincing everyone that he was only looking out for Myrtle's best interest. Grover Sr. appears to be a cunning lier, so appearing as the nobel and down trodden husband would come easy for him. It was well known that her family was worried for her safety while she roamed the streets. They worried she could be raped or murdered. They also worried she could hurt herself with the lack of regard she had for her surroundings.


The following document is the Application Grover J. Barnes Sr., issued on July 1, 1939:

The next document is the Judge's Court Order appointing Grover Jerry Barnes Sr. as Guardian of Myrtle Barnes.

The next document show's that Grover Jerry Barnes Sr. was given a $200.00 Guardian's Bond on the 31st day of July, 1939:

Then on the 1st day of August, 1939, Grover Sr. issues an Application as Myrtle's legal guardian, to claim the $1,000.00 Insurance settlement issued to Myrtle by Aetna Life Insurance Company of Hartford.

On September 5th, 1939, The following document shows that the Court issued a Court Order in Grover's behalf to file claim to the Insurance Policy.

The sealed Guardianship file from the Tulsa County Court House spans a time frame of 1939 - 1976. I need to leave this sealed file and I will explain in the next chapter what happened to Myrtle, Grover and the children after these Guardianship Hearings were over.................