Kay
Cunningham
The Daily Democrat
Marlin, Texas August 25, 1931
Loving Tributes Paid
A Departed Friend
~~~~~
Life and Work of
W. F. Doughty Extolled at
Funeral Services in
Marlin Church.
~~~~~
Tender tributes from the hearts of friends,
soul stirring sentiments voiced in song and the mute message of a mass of
fragrant flowers -- all these combined to epitomize esteem of W. F. Doughty at
last rites for this noted Texas educator and citizen in Marlin Sunday afternoon.
Friends from different sections of the state, including
Hillsboro, where deceased spent the last active years of his life, gathered at
the bier of this man whom they for manifestation of the regard in which they
hold his memory.
Services conducted at the First Presbyterian church at 4:30
p.m. by Dr. Henry Austin, Presbyterian minister of Hillsboro and pastor of
deceased, who read comforting passages of scripture. With Mrs. H. H.
Robertson of Marlin at the organ, a mixed quartet from Hillsboro, composed of
R. C. Marshall, Enloe Simmons, Mesdames J. K. Parr and J. R. Lockerd, the
latter a former Marlin resident, sang "Beautiful Isle of Somewhere"
and "Abide With Me," while Mrs. N. W. Goodrich of Marlin gave a vocal
selection, "There is no Death," a semtiment that found frequent
repetiton ih subsequent references to deceased.
Rev. S. D. Dollahite, pastor of the First Baptist church, led
in prayer that "in the quiet of this sacred, solemn hour, we come to thee,
O God, for comfort, for help and for wisdom," and "that we may catch
inspiration from the life of this man that will enable all of us to live better
lives."
Friends join in Tribute.
"The
life of deceased touched so many lives and was associated with so many interest
that we have felt impelled to ask a number of friends to come here at this hour
and join in tribute to his memory," Dr. Austin said, in presenting S. M.
Sewell of Southwest Texas Teachers College at San Marcos.
"I am glad that I have opportunity to say a few words in
commemoration of the life and works of this good man," Mr. Sewell said.
"My acquaintance with him covered a period of 25 or 26 years,
beginning about the time he came to Marlin as superintendent of schools, as a
fellow student in the University of Texas and continuing later as a classmate
at the University of Chicago. Our families were intimate and in his life I came to know him as the real man that he was. In all of these
relationships I learned to evaluate and to appreciate the real worth of the
man. He was unselfish and far seeing. I have known him to refuse real
promotions rather than break faith with those with whom and for whom he worked.
He neglected his own interests for the welfare of those about him.
No yardstick could measure the good influence he has wrought. His
life is ended but his influence will go on and on."
Recalling his close association with Mr. Doughty while the
latter was director of vocational training for disabled world war veterans in
states of the southwestern district, W. O. Rothwell of Dallas said: "Mr.
Doughty always told us to 'get at the truth of the thing.' That was
characteristic of him. This work was something new. Other nations failed
in their efforts in the direction where the United States has made a marked
measure of success. Mr. Doughty was a pioneer in this field and his
service in the cause of rehabilitating our disabled soldiers received full
credit from national authorities."
"My first contact with Mr. Doughty dates from the time
when he was just starting his career, a friendship being formed that has lasted
through the years." said Dr. J. G. Read of Hillsboro. "I have
never known a man whom I loved as I did Walter Doughty. He took no
thought of himself. He lived and labored for others. As a
representative of the Hillsboro community, I wish to say that no business or
professional man ever lived there who was more loved or held in higher esteem.
His Masterpiece lies yonder at Hillsboro -- a monument to his last work.
I find comfort in the fact that his labors are ended and I thank God for
the last tear."
From Judge W. E. Hunnicutt of Marlin came a similar tribute,
"My acquaintance with deceased dated from 1906." he said,
"as a member of the school board. We were next door neighbors.
We hunted together. We fished together. And during all of
this close association, I never heard on expression from him that would not
have been endorsed by the best man in the community. The schools of this
town will ever remember Mr. Doughty for his contribution to their welfare.
The people of Marlin loved Mr. Doughty. He was the most devoted man to
his profession I ever knew. He taught here until 1913 when he was called
to the office of state superintendent. The people o Marlin reluctantly
gave him up and only in the knowledge that his new post offered a greater field
of service."
Another tribute came from A. C. Ferguson, dean of East Texas
State Teachers College of Commerce, who succeeded Mr. Doughty as superintendent
of schools in Marlin. Telling of his intimate association with deceased,
of their heart to heart talks through the years, Mr. Ferguson said:
"Mr. Doughty gave his life to us -- to Marlin, to his state, to the
federal government. He gave too much of his vitality, breaking down physically
in the latter service, through recovering sufficiently to go to Hillsboro where
he continued in his great work."
Speaking of his long association with Mr. Doughty, E. G.
Grafton, principal of a Dallas school, declared "he was one of the finest,
one of the noblest, and one of the est men I ever knew."
Concluding the service, Dr. Austin said education in all of
its phases was his ideal and his realization and his accomplishments stand
today, a testimony to his love and faith."
The speakers might have said much more had time permitted.
They might have told of the great service rendered to Texas as state
superintendent, where he made a record in office that will stand out in
educational history.
Accomplishments during his administration as state superintendent
of public instruction are matters of record that will stand the ages, a
monument to his memory.
Following services at the church, the body was taken to
Calvary cemetery for burial. Masonic honors were accorded at the grave by
members of Marlin lodge No. 152 A. F. and A. M., from whose ranks were drawn
the active pall bearers.
Honorary pall bearers announced include C. E. Evans,
president of the Southwest Texas State Teachers College, San Marcos; S. H.
Whitley of East Texas State Teachers College, Commerce; A. W. Birdwell,
president of Stephen F. Austin State Teachers College, Nacogdoches; H. F.
Estill, president of Sam Houston State Teachers College, Huntsville; E. G.
Grafton, Dallas; Dr. J. F. Kimball, vice president of Baylor University; A. C.
Ferguson, dean of East Texas State Teachers College, Commerce; Dr. L. W. Payne
of University of Texas, Austin; B. B. Cobb, superintendent of city schools,
Waco; Norman Crozier, superintendent of city schools, Dallas; C. A. Murray of
West Texas State Teachers College, Canyon; L. V. Stockard of Dallas; Walker
King of Denton; Dr. P. W. Horn of Texas Technological institute, Lubbock; R. B.
Binion, Nashville, Tenn.; Dr. John G. Read, A. M. Frazier G. L. White, E. P.
Allen and J. R. Holt, Hillsboro; B. B. Harris, Denton; C. B. Spencer, Tyler;
Julius F. McDonald, Lubbock; S. M. Sewell, San Marcos; T. H. Shelby, University
of Texas, Austin; W. H. Butler, Dallas.
J. L. Long and W. O. Rothwell, Dallas; R. C. Ellis, Fort
worth; T. E. Battle, Judge W. E. Hunnicutt, J. M.Kennedy, Marlin; W. S.
Fleming, Pittsburgh; Dr. O. S. Cooper, Abilene.
Among those attending the funeral were John Bell, Tom Bagby
and Charles Pratt, sent as representatives of the University of Texas chapter
of Pi Kappa Alpha fraternity with which Walter Doughty of Dallas, a son of
deceased, is affiliated.
In addition to Mrs. Doughty and her son, relatives attending
the funeral included a daughter, Mrs. M. J. Allen of Lynchburg, Va., a sister
of Mrs. Doughty, Mrs. E. C. Work of Bagdad, Fla., and her two sons, E. C. Work,
Jr., and Ellis Geary Work; also two brothers of deceased, Dr. D. A. Doughty of
Amity, Ark., accompanied by his wife and a daughter, Doris Jean, and W. E.
Doughty, with his wife, a son, H. E. Doughty, and the latter's wife, all of Waco.
Copyright Permission granted to Theresa Carhart and her volunteers for printing
by The Democrat, Marlin, Falls Co., Texas.