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 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.