The Clay City Times
Clay City , Ky.
Sept. 1938
Body of B.F.Curtis Found
The body of Ben F. Curtis, 71, missing from his home on the Hardwick's
Creek Rd., two miles from Clay City, since Sept 15, was found Sunday, Sept.
25, on the Stokley lands, adjoining the Curtis farm, formerly the G.W.
Dunaway place and earlier known as the T.J. Fletcher land.
The body was located in a ravine in the woods, and apparently had not been
dead longer than 24 hrs.
Dan Strange, Jim Strange and Dewey Hall composed a searching party who
first sighted a pair of men's shoes, then the body in the ravine.
Conditions indicated that he had been struggling in the deep gully he had
unfortunately fallen into.
On him was found his watch, his knife and pocketbook containing $30.14 in
cash.
The body was prepared for burial by J.C.Everman, undertaker, who found the
remains in good condition considering the 10 days exposure before and after
death.
Funeral was held at Powell's Valley Monday afternoon by the Rev. Esmer
Patton and burial in the cemetery there. The church was filled to
overflowing by friends who joined in sympathy with the bereaved relatives
accounting the tragic ending of their dead.
Active pallbearers were: S.A. Easter, Floyd Scott, Clay Pope, Thair Adams,
Jr. Alphus Abney, Dick Curtis. Honorary: James Tipton, Ben Walters, Ben
Mastin, Asa Crowe, Tandy Burrus and Charlie Highley.
Benjamin Francis Curtis was born the son of Tommy and Mary Curtis, March
14, 1867. He was married to Sarah Belle Cooper, Oct. 28, 1891.
There were born to this union four children. Three of them died in infancy.
Mrs. Bessie Carl survives. Two grand-children, Berna Mae and Clell Von Carl
also survive.
Mr. Curtis had three brothers and three sisters, now dead, except Mrs.
Florence Jewell of Lee Co. He was a member of The Missionary Baptist Church
at Powell's Valley for 40 yrs.
Mr. Curtis was a fine citizen, a good neighbor, and a man of honor.
submitted by:Frances Jones-Murph