History page

The Story of Mr. Godley

Retold by Jim Webster

Nila told of a resident, Mr. Godley, who at one time was a wealthy man for whom the town of Godley was named. He had fallen on hard times, however, and had lost all he owned.

Godley felt his life had been ruined and wasn't worth living. He would ask Nila's dad, "Why don't you just kill me, because I'm no good anyway, and I deserve to die." Of course, Bielss wouldn't. One day Godley went to the outdoor outhouse, lay down his bed sheet very neatly on the floor, and cut his throat. His first attempt failed, but the second try was successful. The 88-year-old died.

His name is on a marker in the paupers cemetery, but he was not buried inside the cemetery. He requested not to be buried with the other paupers because he had been a man of property, and his request was honored. Unfortunately, his grave under a tree somewhere north of the cemetery has been lost, but we hope to find him someday.

Source:  Webster, Jim.  "Old county poor farm is rich in potential."  The Community News.  Mar. 10, 2005, 8A.

Note: Since the writing of the article, the grave of Mr. Godley has been found at the poor farm. It was found by Wayne Thompson, who ran a dairy at the poor farm in the 1950's.