For quite some time I lived in the Cincinnati-Dayton area. During that time I became well acquainted with Barnswell Skipe, who at that time was a diener and cremator at the Cincinnati College of Mortuary Science. Barny (as his friends called him) was a great guy, full of laughter and life and his opinions were well thought out and intelligently presented. Barny lived in Dayton and commuted to work each day.

His cousin, also named Barnswell Skipe and who also lived in Dayton, was the complete opposite of Barny. Stuck up, opinionated, prejudiced in every sense of the word, xenophobic, know-it-all, Barnswell (as he insisted he be called) was more feared for his quick and violent temper, sharp tongue, and unforgiving nature than anyone I have ever met.

At the time I knew them neither owned a gun store or made yard decorations.