O, Nannie Grey

---

      On the 17th day of March, 1901, on a bright Sabbath morning, Mr. William Crawford Dowdell suddenly died at his home in Auburn, Alabama.  His death became quickly known, and brought genuine sorrow to the heart of every man, woman, and child in the town.  Death came so peacefully, it appeared that he had simply gone to sleep. “He was not, for God took him.”

      He was the youngest child of Lewis J. and Elizabeth Dowdell, and was born in Jasper County, Georgia, on the 8th day of February, 1826; he grew to manhood in Harris County, George, removing in early life to Chambers County, Alabama, where he married Elizabeth C. Thomas, and where he lived until 1867, when he removed his with his family to the home at which he died.  He was a brother of Col. James F. Dowdell, Mr. Silas A. Dowdell, and Mrs. Wm F. Samford (Susan Dowdell).  All of whom preceded him to the grave.  He left surviving him his widow, three sons; Wm. Louis Dowdell, James Samford Dowdell, and Silas Charles Dowdell, and five daughters; Mrs. David Merrick (Lula), Mrs. Andrew Lipscomb (Katie), Mrs. Bennett Ross (Lettie), and Mrs. Christopher Davis (Lizzie).  His fifth daughter, however, Mrs. Hendley Kell (Caro), died two weeks after he did.

      Having known him from childhood, if I were to express my real estimate of him as a man and a Christian, it would sound to those who did not know him as fulsome* panegyric.*  The royal hospitality dispensed at his country home in Chambers County, and subsequently in Auburn, was proverbial.  A happier home did not exist in Alabama.  The recipients of his generosity were limited alone by his ability.  His life was spent for others.  Selfishness had no place in his nature.  The poor never appealed to him for charity in vain.  His liberality was boundless.  The comfort and happiness of others were always uppermost in his mind and in his actions.  “Uncle Crawf,” as he was familiarly called by all of his acquaintances, was the one to whom widows and orphans always went when they wanted a favor; he did not know how to bear malice, and if any one wronged him, the wrong was forgotten before forgiveness was asked.  In his language, this life was too short to be marred by bearing resentment.

      Two ministers officiated at his funeral.  One of them spoke of him as having the character of John, the Beloved Disciple, and that he exemplified in his life the Thirteenth Chapter of First Corinthians; the other, who had known him from boyhood, gave his testimony:  “Behold an Israelite indeed, in whom is no guile.”

       It is natural for me, a kinsman who loved him beyond measure, to have an exalted opinion of him, but I believe I speak without bias, when I deliberately write it down, that I never knew a nobler, a purer, or a more lovable character than his.  He was foremost in all good works and charities.  For a great many years he was a steward of the Methodist church, of which he was a consistent member for more than half a century.  He was beloved by all who knew him; the idol of his family, and the pride of a large circle of kindred.  Other men, of course, as good, but none better than he, will rise up to take his place in the church and the community; but his friendly greeting and his gentle words will be missed for a long time.

      On that quiet Sabbath morning, the life of this good man, with little warning, stole gently away, “in some brighter clime to bid him good morning.”

The highest tribute that can be paid him, is that he was an upright, Christian gentlemen, whose life was luminous with good deeds, and his death the rounding up of a splendid life that is renewed in a glorious immortality beyond the tomb.

A Kinsmen

* See glossary

Mrs. Mary Pittman read touching resolutions of sympathy from the Home Mission Society to Mrs. Wm. C. Dowdell (Elizabeth Caroline Thomas Dowdell) in her recent sorrow, the death of her husband.

In Memory of William Crawford Dowdell.

      Whereas, Our All-wise Heavenly Father has removed from our number by death, our beloved and esteemed friend, Wm. C. Dowdell, therefore be it resolved by the Quarterly Conference at the Methodist Church at Auburn, Alabama:

      First  -  In the death of our brother, our church has lost a tried and faithful servant, one who from manhood through a long life, was loyal to his vows, true to all the institutions and traditions of the church, and generous in support of all her varied interests.  He was ever the friend of the servants of God; his home was their home; his substance was their substance.  he was, indeed, a cheerful giver beloved of his Master.

      Second  -  In the death of Wm. C Dowdell the community has lost a citizen who was true to all the highest claims of citizenship.  He was the friend and neighbor full of thoughtful kindness to all, and was in turn, himself deeply beloved by all  -  more beloved, doubtless, than was ever any member of this community.

      Third  -  In the death of our friend we feel that we have lost a fine example of the old-time Southern gentleman, in the best and highest sense of the word  -  one full of sweet and gentle deeds.  We shall miss his words of kindness.  We shall miss his presence of gracious dignity in his accustomed pew.

      Fourth  - W e extend our tenderest sympathy to his bereaved family.

A copy of these resolutions, shall be spread upon the minutes of this body, and a copy furnished by the secretary to the family.

                          E. T. Glenn

                          Charles C. Thach

                          John F. Rutledge

Uncle Crawf Dowdell Passes Over the River.

      The hearts of all the students in college were saddened Sunday (the 17th) when they heard of the sudden death of Uncle Crawf Dowdell, who has for the last six years been Auburn's pleasant and accommodating postmaster.  He was on the street Saturday evening, greeting the college boys and his other friends with his cordial smile and hearty handshake, and when he retired Saturday night he seemed to be enjoying his usual health.  Sunday morning he arose at his regular time, and while he was standing before the fire dressing, he suddenly fell forward, when his wife, who was in the room, hurried to him. He was dead before she could reach him.  

      The funeral took place Tuesday afternoon in he Methodist Church.  Mr. Dowdell has been one of the pillars of this church for many years, and the members feel their loss both as a church and as individuals.  The services were conducted by Rev. J. W. Rush, one of the former pastors of the church, and he was assisted by Rev. J. B. K. Spain and Rev. J. S. Frazer.

      Mr. Dowdell's family is one of the oldest and most prominent in Alabama and he leaves a great number of relatives to mourn his loss.  Auburn and this whole community has lost in him one of her best and foremost citizens, but we are thankful that Our Father has allowed his noble life and example to be with us as long as it has, for Uncle Crawf had lived his three-score years and ten, and had gotten within five years of four-score.

      The Orange and Blue

This article appeared on the front page of "The Orange and Blue," the newspaper of Alabama Polytechnic Institute, Auburn, Alabama on Wednesday, March 27, 1901. 

It can be found at the Auburn University Digital Library.