From: KyArchives Sent: Friday, May 03, 2013 11:45 AM To: Ky-Footsteps Subject: Henry.Jarboe.Is.Found.1903.Nelson-Jefferson.NEWS Henry Jarboe Is Found November 30, 1903 Nelson-Jefferson County KyArchives News San Jose, California Evening News November 30, 1903 San Jose, California Evening News 30 Nov 1903 AFTER MANY YEARS: A man from kentucky Mourned as Dead Living near San Jose A telegram from Louisville, KY says: "Mourned as dead for sixty five years, Henry Jarboe has been found, old and almost blind, a respected citizen and longtime resident of San Jose, Cal. At the age of 20 Jarboe left his home at Bardstown after a quarrel, in which he struck a man. Fearing he had killed him, and that he would be prosecuted for murder, Jarboe fled without word to his family. He joined the Texas Rangers and engaged in numerous bloody encounters. Later he went to California, settling at San Jose, where he married and brought up a family. All this time Jarboe had been given up as dead." For forty years Henry Jarboe has resided in the hills near Saratoga in this county. He has been prominent in the public affairs and politics of Saratoga and none of his many acquaintances ever guessed the tragedy of his life. To not even his own family was the secret revealed. Jarboe was born near Bairdsville, Ky., eighty six years ago. He grew to manhood there, and it was not until he was over thirty years of age that the turning point in his life came. He got into a quarrel. A blow was struck, death was believed to have followed. Without waiting to learn the consequences of his quarrel Jarboe fled. He had no time to say farewell to his brothers and sisters. He rode away in the night, and when he stopped he was in the wilds of Texas. There he began a wild and romantic career. He joined the Texas Rangers, and was the most darling, dashing of them all. He seemed to court death, but went through his fighting days unscratched. After fifteen years of this life Jarboe married a widow and two children, came to this valley and opened a blacksmith shop near Saratoga. No word every passed between him and his family, and in time they mourned him as dead. Jarboe raised a family, all of whom are now grown past middle life. It was but a short time ago that the opening of a letter by mistake led to the discovery that his brothers are still alive. This resulted the reopening of communication between them and Henry Jarboe. HIs grandchild, Mrs. Deno of Campbell, saw a letter advertised for a man named Jarboe here. Thinking it was for her grandfather she opened it. The letter was for another man of that name, but the incident led to communication between the two families in an endeavor to establish a relationship. This trivial circumstance resulted in the discovery that will restore Henry Jarboe to his brothers. The man for whom the letter was intended knew John Jarboe, now Superintendent of Streets in Louisville. It developed that the latter was Henry's brother, and correspondence between them resulted. Henry Jarboe has two sons and two daughters and two step-children living. He can make the remarkable boast of having twenty great-grandchildren. Jarboe is now living at Arroyo Grande with a daughter, Mrs. W. T. Clevenger, but will shortly leave for Kentucky. A step-son conducts a lodging house on San Fernando street here. The latter knows nothing of Jarboe's early life, however and states that the old gentleman had always be reticent regarding it. "My step-father," he said "was in many respects a remarkable man. He was a great bear hunter in the early days here, was a typical Kentuckian, did not know fear and undertook many daring enterprises. Once long ago a number of prisoners escaped from Alcatraz or San Quentin. They passed through Saratoga in their flight. My step-father got down his old rifle, organized a posse and gave them battle. Though injured in the left arm he led the fight, which took place above Congress Springs, in the Santa Cruz mountains, and shot several of the escapes (sic). He was reserved and never discussed his exploits or his past life. He was a determined man, however and an able fighter." Though eighty six years of age, Henry Jarboe is tall and straight, a Kentuckyian of the old school. He is a sure shot, fond of out-door life and still hale and in good health. The fear that drove him from home in his youth has been forgotten and he will soon visit his old home again. Submitted by: Anne Livingston http://www.genrecords.net/emailregistry/vols/00002.html#0000466 Additional Comments: Henry Jarboe born 30 Mar 1818 died 12 Sep 1904 Saratoga, Santa Clara, CA This file has been created by a form at http://www.genrecords.org/kyfiles/