Children Were Waiting for Him to Play Santa Claus When Body is Discovered

While waiting for her grandfather, B. M. Blankenship, age 50, a resident of the Farmers Branch community, to set as Santa Claus at a family Christmas tree yesterday morning, an eight year-old girl found his lifeless body swinging from a rafter in the kitchen at their home.
Blankenship was a prosperous farmers. His children and grandchildren had gathered at the home for a Christmas tree and he was to act as Santa Claus. After the child had discovered the body Mrs. Blankenship was called and with a butcher knife cut the cotton rope that held her husband's body. The funeral was held yesterday afternoon with burial in Farmers Branch Cemetery.
Medical aid was summoned as soon as the body was found, but efforts to restore life were in vain. Deputy Sherriff Elmo Strelt responded to the call from the Sheriffs office. Justice of the Peace Shelton viewed the remains.
Blankenship had lived in the Farmers Branch community for about seventeen years.  He had been in bad health for some time.

The Dallas Morning News - December 26, 1911
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams

B. M. BLANKENSHIP
Born Dec. 2, 1860
Died Dec 24, 1911

Keenan Cemetery, Farmers Branch, Dallas County, Texas