The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1917-07-03
DEATH REMOVES GOOD MAN

Il
best known citizens Of Lincoln coun-
ty, passed away early Sunday morn
ing, July LIST. For several years he
had been very feeble, afflicted with
rheumatism. Recently, his heart ac-
ton became seriously affected, ard
it was apparent that his condition
was critical. A few days ago, in hope
that the change would benefit him,
he was brought from his home near
! Mckinney to his sisters Mrs. Bette
Mckinney, in Stanford, and it was
there he received the final summons
Mr.. Givens was born in this coun-
| ty April 2S, 1888, the son of Robert
II. Owens and Amanda Walker
Owens. His family, both on the ma
ternal and paternal side, had long
been established in this county. His
mother was great granddaughter
of Major Andrew Wallace, a soldier
of the American Revolution, who
came here at the close of the war.
She was also a descendant of Dr.
Thomas Walker, who led an explor-
ing party into Kentucky some years
before Daniel Boone first came into
this country. Mr.. Givens' father was
farmer, and his son chose farming
as he life occupation.
A man of strong convictions, he
believed in the justice of the South
ern cause, and on Sept. 8, 1862, he
gave himself to the support of the
Confederacy, enlisting in Company
"A". 9th Kentucky Cavalry, c. S. A.
This was Captain "Bob" Logan's
company, Col. Grigsby's regiment,
Gen.. John H. Morgan's command.
Tho v,hrocn NMar<n,,t, Ma,,v L..
come down to us as synonymous with
all that is daring and courageous in
war. And not man of that dashing
division better earned such reputa-
ton than Mr.. Owens. Calm, but in
trepid, modest, but unf1inching where
duty called, he was such soldier as
would bring pride to any COM
mander.
The best evidence of mans con-
duct, in war as in peace, is that of
those who have seen him put to the
test. Among Mr.. Givens' companions
in arms was George Alcorn. long
since deceased. In a letter to his ia
Their, the late Alfred Alcorn, dated
Nov. Is, 1858. now in the possession
of Mrs. w. H. Higgins, sister of
George Alcorn, the letter referred to
Mr. Givens in these terms: " desire
to fight by no Drawer man than Mack
Helm and James Givens." AMY only
recently an old comrade who served
in the same company with him re-
marked: "The South had no better
soldier than Jim Givens."
When Morgan made his famous
raid into Ohio, Mr.. Owens was with
him. Along with most of the COM
mand, he was captured, imprisoned,
then exchanged and later was one of
the guard of honor that served as
personal escort to Jefferson Davis
when he left Richmond in the last
days of the conflict. He followed the
"Stars and Bars" till that flag was
.Irled forever, surrendering at Ath-
Ms, Ga, in May 1865.
The war over, he returned to
Lincoln county, and took up again
the threads of civil life, so sadly dis
ordered by the call to arms. Thence
forth he lived here: a man without
guile, of blameless integrity, whose
dealings with his fellow man were al
ways scrupulously honorable. and
who truly numbered his friends by
his acquaintance. !
He evinced deep interest in public
affairs, eager to Lform himself con-
corning state and national policies of
government. He was life long DEM
ocrat.
While never seeking to make a
display of his religious views, he was
a firm believer in the principles of |
the Christian religion, and was of
Presbyterian persuasion.
Mr.. Owens never married. He is |
survived by one sister, Mrs. Bette
Mckinney and brother, r. H.
Owens. A brother Walker Owens
died many years ago, while three sis
tiers preceded him to eternity; Miss
Lettie Owens, Miss Belle Owens
and Mrs. Anne Alcorn, wife of DR..
Edward Alcorn, of Hustonville.