The Daily Oklahoman 
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma 
November 17, 1951

Mrs. Jennie Jane (Matheson) Barkett, 88 year-old naturalized Citizen who didn't come in the United States until she was 48; died Friday in her home at 1804 W. Main; She had a heart ailment for three years. 

Barkett's parents' went to Australia from Scotland. She was born in Maedon, Australia and was married to S. H. Barkett there. He was a jewelry salesman in Australia. For about a year they lived in Syria, but came to the United States in 1911.

They moved directly to Oklahoma City where relatives lived. Her husband operated a grocery here, several years before retiring in 1936. They had been married 53 years when Barkett died in 1948.

Mrs. Barkett became a citizen about 1936 after she had lived here 25 years.

Services will be at 3 pm Saturday in the Christian and missionary Alliance church at 1501 N. Ellison. Burial in Fairlawn Cemetery under the direction of Hahn-Cook Funeral Home.

Surviving are a son, Thomas Barkett, of the home; four daughters, Miss Kathleen Barkett of the home; Mrs.. R. N. Andell; Mrs. A. K. Baract, Amarillo and Mrs. M. Abdon, Pryor; two sisters in Australia; 10 grandchildren and sever great grandchildren.

Compiled, transcribed and submitted by Marti Graham. Jul 2009. Information posted for educational purposes for viewers and researchers. The contributor is not related to nor researching any of the above.

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Saleem Habib Barkett
21 Dec 1865 - 12 Apr 1948

Burial Fairlawn Cemetery

"I'M A BADDA MAN AND I KEEL THAT JUDGE," SAYS ANGRY SYRIAN

"Say attorney, ain't a poor man got no right to live?" demanded Sam Barkett, a Syrian tried in police court Monday afternoon for peddling without a license.

"I got a wife and a whole lot of children and if I don't peddle they starve," he continued. Barkett tried to convince the judge and prosecuting attorney that he was unable to buy a license and pleaded dire poverty as an excuse for his violation of the city ordinance.

"I got a horse, a wagon and truck, but I ain't got no money to buy a license," he sobbed.

"You have been here too many times on this charge and have been given opportunity to get that license. The fine will be $10 and costs," said Judge O. L. Price.

Three times Barkett had to be dragged to a seat and told to keep silent before he would accept the verdict.

"I'm a badda man. I'm the worst man in the world and will keel that judge," shrieked Barkett as he was led to jail.

City officials state that peddlers are becoming a nuisance, many of them making house to house canvases through all parts of the city and refusing to get licenses, preferring to take chances of arrest.