Daniel Barter was born on December 12, 1954 to Mr. & Mrs. Paul Barter. He was the 3rd youngest child of 7 siblings. At the time of his disappearance, he was 4 years old, just 6 months away from his 5th birthday. Danny weighed 50 lbs and was 3'0" tall. He was last seen at his family's campsite in Perdido Bay, AL  wearing only a pair of gray boxer shorts.  How could such a handsome little boy just disappear? Was his wavy brown hair and big brown eyes the reason he was kidnapped, if indeed he ever was? His mother seemed to think so. In fact, these are her exact words as told in the Mobile Register 6/21/59, "I can understand why someone would want to take him because he's such a pretty child."

Since the only one who knows Danny's story is Danny, we are only able to assume what really happened that day on June 18, 1959. According to news articles compiled from the Mobile Register, many thoughts ran through the minds of his family and those involved in the desparate search to find little Danny Barter. Over 500 people helped in the search for Danny, 150 of which were Law Enforcement and Firemen. The Navy brought in 115 men to search the waters and land by ship and helicopter. Civilian Volunteers in bands of 25 teamed together and walked almost shoulder to shoulder over a 5 sq mile radius through woods and swamps in search of Danny. Three champion bloodhounds were donated by a doctor from Gadsden, AL. Unfortunately, the dogs were unable to find a trail leading from the site. A skin diver even volunteered to search the bottom of the bay for Danny. As a last resort, dozens of water holes were dynamited in an effort to bring up a body and large alligators in the area were hunted down and killed so stomach contents could be examined. All of this was done but to no avail. Danny was still missing. By this time, Danny's parents considered the possibility that Danny may have been kidnapped.

A DESPERATE MOTHER'S WORDS

Danny Barter's mother seemed to be such a sweet lady who only saw good in people. The next few paragraphs are quotes from her that were printed in the Mobile Register.

Has Danny Barter been kidnapped? His mother seems to think so. "I definately believe now that someone picked him up and carried him away."  A note of hope crept into her voice as she said "I hope now that someone did take Danny because I know if anyone wanted him bad enough to kidnap him they would take good care of him."  

Why would someone kidnap Danny? His mother's opinion.  "I can understand why someone would want to take him because he's such a pretty child."  "I know it wasn't for ransom because we have no money saved and are supporting our children on my husband's income." (Paul Barter was a stockroom manager at Morrison's Cafeteria.) With her voice forlorn, Mrs. Barter says, "I know that I will get my Danny back.....He's such a very pretty and sweet child......I felt that nothing could ever happen to him..."

What happened the day Danny vanished? Mrs. Barter's detailed recollection.  "Paul had gone to a store and bought some drinks for the children, taking Danny with him. When they returned, the children opened their drinks and Danny got one for himself. Danny and my husband were playing together on one of the roll-away cots for a short while then Paul got up and began preparing for the fishing trip. We had rigged three poles for the fishing trip when suddenly we noticed that Danny was not in the tent. I didn't become alarmed at first, even though he was not at the immediate campsite." (Mrs. Barter thought he had went to play with some children who lived about 150 feet away). "I had first believed that despite Danny's fear of water he had wandered into the water and drowned. But not now. I believe he probably walked up the road and someone picked him up."

Did this couple take Danny? The Barter's witnessed a truck ride by with a man and woman inside the morning Danny disappeared. The road leading to the campsite is seldom traveled. "If they or someone else did take Danny it could have been because they were strongly attracted to him." Mrs. Barter stated.

Daniel, Your a Star in the Face of the Sky

Daniel

Music by Elton John Lyrics by Bernie Taupin Available on the album Don't Shoot Me I'm Only The Piano Player

Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes They say Spain is pretty though I've never been Well Daniel says it's the best place that he's ever seen Oh and he should know, he's been there enough Lord I miss Daniel, oh I miss him so much Daniel my brother you are older than me Do you still feel the pain of the scars that won't heal Your eyes have died but you see more than I Daniel you're a star in the face of the sky Daniel is travelling tonight on a plane I can see the red tail lights heading for Spain Oh and I can see Daniel waving goodbye God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes Oh God it looks like Daniel, must be the clouds in my eyes

This is an age enhanced photo provided by the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children.  Of course, we don't know for sure what he would look like today, but the picture gives us an idea. He would be 51 years old.