The Washington herald., 1920-07-11
Blue Grass Society Girls
Long Fight to Free Father

IJoW Kentucky girl, psmpered and pro-
IL tected. of an aristocratic wealthy Blue
Grass family. suddenly left pennless and
forced to earn her own living when her
father was imprisoned for wrecking his
bank, not only achieved success in the busi-
ness ~oild. but succeeded against tremen-
dous odds in obtaining her fathers pardon
within FIVE years, only TO collapse physical
~ on the day ofIriumph with a grave op-
GRAFTON the only chance for her recovery
this briefly is the remarkable story of beau
tiful Kate Alexander, daughter of George
Alexander, Paris, Ky.
Five years ago Miss Alexander was one OF
the most popular young women in the Blue
Grass She was the daughter of one OF the
wealthiest men in the state. She was blessed
with a most charming disposition. She used
her fathers wealth to bring comfort and
cheer to unfortunate and poor. Christmas,
with gifts, she visited scores of families IN
unfortunate circumstances. She was per-
sonally known to nearly every person In the
county. Her hand in marriage had been
sought by a number of young men, wealthy
and Of the best families.
which her father had long been the head
ives closed by the state banking commissioner
and there were rumors that the funds of the
bank had been misappropriated She stead
fsstly refused to believe the rumors. Her
confidence in her father, her best friend since
the death of her mother, was absolute. Then
came the arrest, trial and conviction. He
was sentenced from seven to seventy years.
Although crushed in heart she bore up
bravely and began to fght to save her father
from prison. She solicited the aid of friends
and found hundreds eager to help her
During the trial she was the constant COM
panion of her father in the courtroom and
always the same smile of encouragement was
op her face which belied the suffering of her
heart. Other girls of less torce of character
would have been crushed in spirit and hid
themselves from public gaze. Kate Alexan-
der realized that would never, do. She must
face the problem with a smile and determi-
nation to win.
Following her fathers conviction she laid
out plan Of action and began work in earn
est. She circulated a petition asking Gov
ernor McCreary to issue pardon before in
generation Of her father. Hundreds of sig
natures of best citizens were obtained,
among them being many who had lost heavily
through failure Of the bank. They could not
refuse her appeal. backed as it was by her
earnestness, devotion to and trust in her
father, whom she still believed innocent.
Those who signed it would remark after
ward: We'll, / guess l should not have
signed it, but could not refuse Miss Kate"
She personally took the document to Gov
crnor McCreary, who also yielded to her
earnestness and childlike belief in her father,
and he was on the point Of granting her
wish when politics took a hand in the game
and he was compelled to refuse, Again and
again the courageous girl renewed her ef-
forts only to meet with defeat.
When Governor Stanley assumed Office
.she laid siege to him and, as with McCreary,
again politics intervened and disappointment
was her portion. Governor Blacks attitude
was the same.
Pride and independence kept her from ac-
cepting the offers Of financial assistance from
scores of relatives and friends who would
have been glad to have come to her aid. She
rejected suitors for her hand. She consulted
q life long friend of her father, head of a
life insurance company. He told her that
soliciting life insurance was a splendid field
for a girl. and she took his advice and began
work as an agent for his company in central
Kentucky. Here is where her former good
deeds, her sweet disposition and her popu-
larity were to serve her well.
When it became known that she was So
liciting insurance many friends did not wait
for her to call on them, but voluntarily
hunted her up. Policy after policy, nearly
all for large sums, began to roll into the
main Office A banquet was given to their
agents in Cincinnati, and Miss Alexander
was urgently requested to be present. But
she was not there. In explaining her absence
an Official said:
miss Kate hasn't time to 60 to ban
ouets; right now I'll wager she is writing
big policy"
When the year was up it was ascer-
tanned that Miss Alexander had sold more
than $500, 900 of insurance and was still
rapidly adding to that figure.
Then came the inevitable result of FIVE
years of worry and hard work. Friends and