Typed and spelled as
written: 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
best 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.