The interior journal. [volume] (Stanford, Ky.) 1912-1984, 1918-03-01
PREACHERsvILLE

In order to set Alright and correct
some of the different stories which
have been circulated by irresponsible
persons in the last few days, con-
corning the tragic and untimely death
of my brother, Mr.. Godfrey Law
renee Blankenship, I crave space for
the following:
On the first day IF February he
arose in the strength OF manhood OF
which he was always proud, and at
daylight he was half way to Stanford
to 20 before the local board for ply
steal examination or the selectivc
DART. He stood all the tests proudly
and passed with high marks. After
his examination was completed ne
went to the Paxton place to take din
ner with his brother, Wesley Blank
enship and family. He came back to
town and came out that afternoon
with Mr.. M. F. Lawrence. After stop
ping a while at Mr.. John B. Ander-
sons he came home in the night.
Awakening his father he then proud
| iv told him how well he stood the ex-
animation. Then after speaking in
the highest terms of the gentlemen
composing the local board, said he
stood five feet eleven inches and
weighed 165 pounds with four inch
| lung expansion. He was so cheerful
that DIR. Brown had told him to go
out and cheer up the other boys.
That on the street DR.. T. W. Penn
ington told him that DR.. Brown had
pronounced him to be the best and
soundest man that had been exam
med. All of which he was very proud.
| Sitting before the fire of nights
he would tell his father that every.
body was affected by the war and
that he had rather be in the wal
where he could be Of service to the
country. He was even impatient
about not getting his call and while
waiting he was busy helping saw anc
get up some firewood just as though
he was going to take visit. All the
time he was in the best of health.
But during the time of so mucf
snow and ice he was going down the
steep hillside just north of where
II. M. Cress once lived, his feet slip
ped from under him and he fell heavi
iy. his elbow striking the ground will
such force that he thought his arm
was broken. His left hand was Gu
considerably and he told neighbo
that his head struck the ground witt
such force that he saw fire. After nj
body was embalmed there was
place found in or near the left tenn
ple where he had had lick or bruise
This bruise was just where he ha,
told the friend that his head strucl
the ground. This hard fall was som
ten or twelve days before his death
Deceased was never sick in his LII
exeeptinp the measles several year
!, aoo. With this exception his life ha,
been remarkably free from sickness
On Friday night, the 18th. he wouf
) not 90 out to the stores at Preachers
; Vile as he generally did, but went t
bed early. Arose at eight O'Clock Sat
, urday morning and never spoke bu
once and laid down again. The docto
. was called and when he arrived tn
, yong man lay seemingly unconscious
, He continued in this condition fror
/ eight o'clock Saturday morning nut
, Wednesday morning at four o'cloc
when he breathed his last among M
I sorrowing friends and relatives. Al
ter services at his late home he wa
laid to rest in Preachersville GENE
terry Friday afternoon at one o.cloc
in the presence of sorrowing frlena
I The burial service conducted by M
/ III. C. McClary and the funeral dis
I course was beautiful and apprcpr
ate.
The sudden sickness and death Q
j the young man has caused many di1
= ferent stories. 1t is true that he wer
" with a friend to Lebanon on Tues
day court and bought a gallon q
= brandy. This friend says he-was rt
e drinking very much. 1t is also ttru
S that he treated out to his friends
n great deal, more than he drank hin
self, if they had the manhood to te
it, and it did not poison them. In
S seems to offset the story that he W:
t poisoned by drinking.
Then another black hearted, foou
mouthed lie was told that nc hs
taken poison. His friends with or
: accord say that he would have lee
l. the last person who would have a
&c tempted such and those who kne
: him best say he was always in Il
q best of spirits at all times. The tru1
t. is hard for some to tell as their d
light is the making and telling OF
lie. Very truly your,
ii B. l. BLANKENSHlP.