Benjamin Harrison Nally found himself between what he considered a rock and a hard place in 1926.
On March 2nd, 1926, to escape arrest over bootlegging alcohol - Harrison decided to put a bullet through his heart while he was at Puckett's Pool Room in Waverly, KY. As we all know, prohibition lasted from 1920 to 1933.. so 1926 was certainly 'in the thick' of it.
Harrison was actually an employee of the pool room and the weapon he used belong to Puckett, the owner of the establishment. Fear of arrest and trial wasn't the only reason Harrison decided to end his life -- two weeks before taking his life, his wife and he had become estranged. According to a newspaper article - he'd drank heavily for those entire two weeks.
The term despondent comes to mind. I believe Harrison felt he had nothing to live for. Who knows how long he'd have been in jail for over bootlegging. Who knows what the outcome between he and his wife would have been.
Harrison was actually an employee of the pool room and the weapon he used belong to Puckett, the owner of the establishment. Fear of arrest and trial wasn't the only reason Harrison decided to end his life -- two weeks before taking his life, his wife and he had become estranged. According to a newspaper article - he'd drank heavily for those entire two weeks.
The term despondent comes to mind. I believe Harrison felt he had nothing to live for. Who knows how long he'd have been in jail for over bootlegging. Who knows what the outcome between he and his wife would have been.
A little bit about Harrison and who he was...
Born on February 25th, 1889, in Union County, KY; he was the son of Hollis Leonard Nally and Amanda A. Roberts. He was one of eight children -- six who were still alive in the 1900 census.
In about 1916, he married a woman named Pearl Bolton. For a time, I thought the Wilhelmina Nally living with them in the 1920 census was their daughter -- but it's actually their niece. Wilhelmina's father was Harrison's brother, Sidney.
Upon his death, he was buried in Old Highland Cemetery, where his parents are also buried. His father lived to 1939, but his Mom, bless her heart, passed away on March 22nd, 1926, of what was called organic heart disease -- but in truth, after losing her son to suicide a few weeks prior... I believe she died of a broken heart. Wouldn't you die of a broken heart if your child committed suicide? I think I would.
There is no tombstone for Harrison at the cemetery - but he's likely buried very near his parents. Death certificate confirms his burial there. Next time you're out at Old Highland, take a moment to remember my 2nd cousin 4x removed.
In about 1916, he married a woman named Pearl Bolton. For a time, I thought the Wilhelmina Nally living with them in the 1920 census was their daughter -- but it's actually their niece. Wilhelmina's father was Harrison's brother, Sidney.
Upon his death, he was buried in Old Highland Cemetery, where his parents are also buried. His father lived to 1939, but his Mom, bless her heart, passed away on March 22nd, 1926, of what was called organic heart disease -- but in truth, after losing her son to suicide a few weeks prior... I believe she died of a broken heart. Wouldn't you die of a broken heart if your child committed suicide? I think I would.
There is no tombstone for Harrison at the cemetery - but he's likely buried very near his parents. Death certificate confirms his burial there. Next time you're out at Old Highland, take a moment to remember my 2nd cousin 4x removed.
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