The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-06-22
ROBERT LEE BLANTON
ANSWERS LAST CALL
POPULAR EDUCATOR AND NATT-
RALfsT DIES AFTER LONG
ILLNESS.
HIS FUNERAL TO-DAY
BODY WILL BE LAID AT REST IN
BURYI>G GROUND AT OLD CUM
BERLAND HOMESTEAD.

Robert Lee Rlanton, editor of the
Virginia Journal of Education and
popular educator and naturalist, died
a. 1875 o'clock this morning in st.
Elizabeth hospital. after q long and
lingering Illness.
The body will be taken on the $50
train this morning TO Farmville. from
whence 4 will be conveyed through
theN country TO the family burying
ground at the old homestead In Cum
bertrand county. where the funeral
and burial Will take place this after
neon.
Mr.. Blanton. who has been seri-
ously in.iisposed for year. was taken
to The hospital thirteen wesks ago for
an operation in the hope OF prolong-
ing his life. but complications de-
veioped, and weeks ago the physi-
Clans pronounced his condition hope
less He gradually grew weaker and
yesterday at noon he was said to be
In dying condition. but his wonder
full vitality sustained htra until the
early morning hour. The end was
reacefai.
Mr.. 1lanton. who never married. is
survived 10y his aged mother. who.
with sister. Mrs, Samuel Badgett.
and a brother. Arehdale Planton, re-
side at the old homestead. He leaves
also one other sister, Mrs Vaughan.
who lives in Powhatan county.
Robert Lee Bianton had he lived.
would have been forty eight years old
In July He was a native of Cumher-
land county. Va. and his father was
one of the best known physicians of
that county. He received his early
education in the public schools OF his
home town and then attended the
University of Virginia, from which
institution he graduated with honors,
He returned to Cumberland after
his graduation and taught In the pub
lie schools there. His light was not
to be hidden under bushel. He was
profrered the chair OF Greek in the
State A. and A. college OF Kentucky
at Lexington. which ne filled for many
years with eminent satisfaction. for 1t
was said of him that few modern
Greek scholars could compare with
him. Eight years ago--the love OF
the old cod strong within him-he ac-
cepted a call back home. coming to
Richmond as the principal of Chinf-
borazo- school, where he served until
1909, when he accepted the editor
ship or the Virginia Journal OF Edu-
cation-the position he filled when
death overlook him.
S1tUoldI tIidt uc WAS anu AudII Va
letters, Professor Blanton was best
known TO his intimate friends as the
stud~nt OF nature. He knew every
tree in the forest; every flower that
grew by the wayside: every animal
that roamed the woods, and the In
sects that crossed his pathway.
Develops New Turkey Breed.
Some years ago Mr.. Blanton devel-
oped a passion for turkey raising and
conceived the idea Of cross-breeding
the wild turkey with the domestic
bird In order to obtain a larger and
more hardy specimen. He purchased
a. country place near Granite. several
miles from Richmond on the South
ern railway and his turkey run he.
fenced around with wire netting and
covered il with a roof Of similar ma
terial. Here he conducted his unique
experiment, certainly the first ever
attempted in the. South II not In tho
ee,lntIN How successful his opera
tons were Is evidence by the fact that
they attracted international interest.
several foreign governments sending
him orders for his turkeys for the
purpose Of propagating the breed
which he originated.
He shipped these birds as far away
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