Mr. Ike Towell Ends Own Life
Mr. Ike Towell passed out of this life some time turing last night, presumably about midnight. Two empty bottles that had contained poison were found at his bed.
Mr. Towell had been in poor health for a year of so, having suffered a stroke of paralysis and in late months his eyes had become very poor. Funeral arrangements had not been made as we go to press.
Mr. Ike Towell was a man of strong convictions, an announced atheist, strictly honest in his every dealing, an open enemy to strong drink and tobacco, fearless and courageous. He was a unique character in some ways. About a year ago he had a tombstone placed at his grave, and a few days ago he bought his coffin and left full instructions as to his funeral.
Mr. Towell had many friends in this and nearby counties.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Bettie Walker, of this city to whom the sympathy of the entire community goes out.
Colorado County Citizen, February 22, 1934
Mr. Ike Towell Funeral Held
Funeral services for Mr. Ike Towell were held here Friday morning at Odd Fellows Rest. Criminal District Judge Whit Boyd of Houston, reading the service which consisted of a last message written by Mr. Towell and directed to be read by some one "not afraid that lightning would strike during the service."
Over 100 persons were present to hear the following message:
"Especially do I want to impress the fact upon the people that one child was born, passed through the years of youth, grew to manhood, lived a tolerably respectable life, reached old age, died and could be buried without the assistance of the clergy."
"It is my will and I so direct that my funeral be the cheapest possible. I do not hold with carrying a person from county to county for the sole purpose of burial.
"My religion consists of doing right and loving justice. I affirm that all men should tell the truth and pay their debts. I do not believe in any God, devil, ghost or savior and I have opposed tobacco, whiskey, gambling, lying and stealing practically all my life. If any one of the clergy ever calls my name after death I insist that he speak the truth about me, a thing I have never known a preacher to do about a dead disbeliever. The clergy have never been able to bribe me with the promise of a beautiful home in a fictitious heaven nor bluff my by their everlasting punishment in a hell of fire and brimstone."
Mr. Towell is survived by two half sisters, Mrs. Bettie Walker of this city and Mr. W. T. Ory of San Antonio, and by the following nieces and nephews: Dr. R. H. Harrison, Mrs. T. J. Windham, Judge Whit Boyd, William Boyd, Mrs. H. W. Carothers, Mrs. Bennie Peterson and Miss Ina Mae Towell of Houston. Miss Lydia Boyd of Washington, D. C., Braxton Boyd of Tennessee, Sam Towell and Ike Towell of Beaumont, Dr. Whit Harrison of Kansas City, R. H. Towell of Eagle Lake, Carey Towell of San Antonio, Mrs. Margaret Littlefield of Dallas, Mrs. Walter Hinson of Richmond, and Mrs. Stanley DeWaal of San Antonio.
The bereaved ones have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
Colorado County Citizen, March 1, 1934
Isaac Towell (38556215)
Suggested edit: On Ike Towel's death certificate, under "cause of death," they did not put "chloroform poisoning" or "rag soaked in ether," instead they put "chloroform applied to Towell."
Contributor: Tracey Wegenhoft (50941500) • [email protected]
Mr. Ike Towell passed out of this life some time turing last night, presumably about midnight. Two empty bottles that had contained poison were found at his bed.
Mr. Towell had been in poor health for a year of so, having suffered a stroke of paralysis and in late months his eyes had become very poor. Funeral arrangements had not been made as we go to press.
Mr. Ike Towell was a man of strong convictions, an announced atheist, strictly honest in his every dealing, an open enemy to strong drink and tobacco, fearless and courageous. He was a unique character in some ways. About a year ago he had a tombstone placed at his grave, and a few days ago he bought his coffin and left full instructions as to his funeral.
Mr. Towell had many friends in this and nearby counties.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Bettie Walker, of this city to whom the sympathy of the entire community goes out.
Colorado County Citizen, February 22, 1934
Mr. Ike Towell Funeral Held
Funeral services for Mr. Ike Towell were held here Friday morning at Odd Fellows Rest. Criminal District Judge Whit Boyd of Houston, reading the service which consisted of a last message written by Mr. Towell and directed to be read by some one "not afraid that lightning would strike during the service."
Over 100 persons were present to hear the following message:
"Especially do I want to impress the fact upon the people that one child was born, passed through the years of youth, grew to manhood, lived a tolerably respectable life, reached old age, died and could be buried without the assistance of the clergy."
"It is my will and I so direct that my funeral be the cheapest possible. I do not hold with carrying a person from county to county for the sole purpose of burial.
"My religion consists of doing right and loving justice. I affirm that all men should tell the truth and pay their debts. I do not believe in any God, devil, ghost or savior and I have opposed tobacco, whiskey, gambling, lying and stealing practically all my life. If any one of the clergy ever calls my name after death I insist that he speak the truth about me, a thing I have never known a preacher to do about a dead disbeliever. The clergy have never been able to bribe me with the promise of a beautiful home in a fictitious heaven nor bluff my by their everlasting punishment in a hell of fire and brimstone."
Mr. Towell is survived by two half sisters, Mrs. Bettie Walker of this city and Mr. W. T. Ory of San Antonio, and by the following nieces and nephews: Dr. R. H. Harrison, Mrs. T. J. Windham, Judge Whit Boyd, William Boyd, Mrs. H. W. Carothers, Mrs. Bennie Peterson and Miss Ina Mae Towell of Houston. Miss Lydia Boyd of Washington, D. C., Braxton Boyd of Tennessee, Sam Towell and Ike Towell of Beaumont, Dr. Whit Harrison of Kansas City, R. H. Towell of Eagle Lake, Carey Towell of San Antonio, Mrs. Margaret Littlefield of Dallas, Mrs. Walter Hinson of Richmond, and Mrs. Stanley DeWaal of San Antonio.
The bereaved ones have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
Colorado County Citizen, March 1, 1934
Isaac Towell (38556215)
Suggested edit: On Ike Towel's death certificate, under "cause of death," they did not put "chloroform poisoning" or "rag soaked in ether," instead they put "chloroform applied to Towell."
Contributor: Tracey Wegenhoft (50941500) • [email protected]
Mr. Ike Towell Ends Own Life
Mr. Ike Towell passed out of this life some time turing last night, presumably about midnight. Two empty bottles that had contained poison were found at his bed.
Mr. Towell had been in poor health for a year of so, having suffered a stroke of paralysis and in late months his eyes had become very poor. Funeral arrangements had not been made as we go to press.
Mr. Ike Towell was a man of strong convictions, an announced atheist, strictly honest in his every dealing, an open enemy to strong drink and tobacco, fearless and courageous. He was a unique character in some ways. About a year ago he had a tombstone placed at his grave, and a few days ago he bought his coffin and left full instructions as to his funeral.
Mr. Towell had many friends in this and nearby counties.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Bettie Walker, of this city to whom the sympathy of the entire community goes out.
Colorado County Citizen, February 22, 1934
Mr. Ike Towell Funeral Held
Funeral services for Mr. Ike Towell were held here Friday morning at Odd Fellows Rest. Criminal District Judge Whit Boyd of Houston, reading the service which consisted of a last message written by Mr. Towell and directed to be read by some one "not afraid that lightning would strike during the service."
Over 100 persons were present to hear the following message:
"Especially do I want to impress the fact upon the people that one child was born, passed through the years of youth, grew to manhood, lived a tolerably respectable life, reached old age, died and could be buried without the assistance of the clergy."
"It is my will and I so direct that my funeral be the cheapest possible. I do not hold with carrying a person from county to county for the sole purpose of burial.
"My religion consists of doing right and loving justice. I affirm that all men should tell the truth and pay their debts. I do not believe in any God, devil, ghost or savior and I have opposed tobacco, whiskey, gambling, lying and stealing practically all my life. If any one of the clergy ever calls my name after death I insist that he speak the truth about me, a thing I have never known a preacher to do about a dead disbeliever. The clergy have never been able to bribe me with the promise of a beautiful home in a fictitious heaven nor bluff my by their everlasting punishment in a hell of fire and brimstone."
Mr. Towell is survived by two half sisters, Mrs. Bettie Walker of this city and Mr. W. T. Ory of San Antonio, and by the following nieces and nephews: Dr. R. H. Harrison, Mrs. T. J. Windham, Judge Whit Boyd, William Boyd, Mrs. H. W. Carothers, Mrs. Bennie Peterson and Miss Ina Mae Towell of Houston. Miss Lydia Boyd of Washington, D. C., Braxton Boyd of Tennessee, Sam Towell and Ike Towell of Beaumont, Dr. Whit Harrison of Kansas City, R. H. Towell of Eagle Lake, Carey Towell of San Antonio, Mrs. Margaret Littlefield of Dallas, Mrs. Walter Hinson of Richmond, and Mrs. Stanley DeWaal of San Antonio.
The bereaved ones have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
Colorado County Citizen, March 1, 1934
Isaac Towell (38556215)
Suggested edit: On Ike Towel's death certificate, under "cause of death," they did not put "chloroform poisoning" or "rag soaked in ether," instead they put "chloroform applied to Towell."
Contributor: Tracey Wegenhoft (50941500) • [email protected]
Mr. Ike Towell passed out of this life some time turing last night, presumably about midnight. Two empty bottles that had contained poison were found at his bed.
Mr. Towell had been in poor health for a year of so, having suffered a stroke of paralysis and in late months his eyes had become very poor. Funeral arrangements had not been made as we go to press.
Mr. Ike Towell was a man of strong convictions, an announced atheist, strictly honest in his every dealing, an open enemy to strong drink and tobacco, fearless and courageous. He was a unique character in some ways. About a year ago he had a tombstone placed at his grave, and a few days ago he bought his coffin and left full instructions as to his funeral.
Mr. Towell had many friends in this and nearby counties.
He is survived by a sister, Mrs. Bettie Walker, of this city to whom the sympathy of the entire community goes out.
Colorado County Citizen, February 22, 1934
Mr. Ike Towell Funeral Held
Funeral services for Mr. Ike Towell were held here Friday morning at Odd Fellows Rest. Criminal District Judge Whit Boyd of Houston, reading the service which consisted of a last message written by Mr. Towell and directed to be read by some one "not afraid that lightning would strike during the service."
Over 100 persons were present to hear the following message:
"Especially do I want to impress the fact upon the people that one child was born, passed through the years of youth, grew to manhood, lived a tolerably respectable life, reached old age, died and could be buried without the assistance of the clergy."
"It is my will and I so direct that my funeral be the cheapest possible. I do not hold with carrying a person from county to county for the sole purpose of burial.
"My religion consists of doing right and loving justice. I affirm that all men should tell the truth and pay their debts. I do not believe in any God, devil, ghost or savior and I have opposed tobacco, whiskey, gambling, lying and stealing practically all my life. If any one of the clergy ever calls my name after death I insist that he speak the truth about me, a thing I have never known a preacher to do about a dead disbeliever. The clergy have never been able to bribe me with the promise of a beautiful home in a fictitious heaven nor bluff my by their everlasting punishment in a hell of fire and brimstone."
Mr. Towell is survived by two half sisters, Mrs. Bettie Walker of this city and Mr. W. T. Ory of San Antonio, and by the following nieces and nephews: Dr. R. H. Harrison, Mrs. T. J. Windham, Judge Whit Boyd, William Boyd, Mrs. H. W. Carothers, Mrs. Bennie Peterson and Miss Ina Mae Towell of Houston. Miss Lydia Boyd of Washington, D. C., Braxton Boyd of Tennessee, Sam Towell and Ike Towell of Beaumont, Dr. Whit Harrison of Kansas City, R. H. Towell of Eagle Lake, Carey Towell of San Antonio, Mrs. Margaret Littlefield of Dallas, Mrs. Walter Hinson of Richmond, and Mrs. Stanley DeWaal of San Antonio.
The bereaved ones have the sincere sympathy of the entire community.
Colorado County Citizen, March 1, 1934
Isaac Towell (38556215)
Suggested edit: On Ike Towel's death certificate, under "cause of death," they did not put "chloroform poisoning" or "rag soaked in ether," instead they put "chloroform applied to Towell."
Contributor: Tracey Wegenhoft (50941500) • [email protected]
Inscription
HERE RESTS
IKE TOWELL
AN INFIDEL WHO HAD
NO HOPE OF HEAVEN
NOR FEAR OF HELL
WAS FREE OF SUPERSTITION
TO DO RIGHT AND LOVE
JUSTICE WAS HIS RELIGION
