Beckham County, OK - Deaths: William Newton Gowdy, 1923 21 Feb 2008 Submitted by: delma25@pldi.net (Delma Tindell) ************************************************ Copyright. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm ************************************************ GOWDY, WILLIAM NEWTON (22 Feb 1923, Thursday, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): W. N. Gowdy Injured A serious accident happened to W. N. Gowdy yesterday afternoon. When driving across bridge one mile south and three-fourths mile east of Missouri school house, the radius rod of his auto broke causing it to go off the bridge and throwing him into the water below. Mr. Gowdy was injured so he could not move and lay in the water for an hour before he was rescued. He called to a boy going home from school, who then had to go nearly a mile for help. Frank Abbott driving by in a short time, brought him in his car to this place where he was taken to Elk City Hospital. It was found his back was badly injured. Mr. Gowdy lives on the Roy Jones place, on the Berlin road, 7 1/2 miles west of Elk City. He has many friends who will regret to hear of this accident. (1 Mar 1923, Elk City News Democrat, Elk City, Beckham Co, OK): A gloom of sadness was cast over our community Saturday when it was learned that W. N. Gowdy had passed away as a result of the accident chronicled in the News Democrat last week. Everything was done that medical skill could do, by the physicians here, and a specialist Dr. Harris of Fort Worth, was called in consultation but he, too, said nothing could be done to save the life of this good man. He was conscious to the last, saying that while he would have been glad to have lived, yet he was ready to go, and arranged his business affairs so that his family would have no trouble in looking after same. The funeral services were held Sunday afternoon at the Baptist church. This spacious building could not hold the crowd. The seats were filled and people were standing in every available space while a large number could not gain entrance at all. Autos filled the streets for a number of blocks around the church. This great congregation caused Rev. Hamilton to say "it bespeaks a love and esteem that will be a heritage worth while and it speaks louder than all I ever heard about him." The members of the Masonic Order and M.W.A. marched in body to the church. The pall bearers were Messrs. Pete Thurmond, S. L. Shore, W. W. Kincaid, Amos Williams, W. W. Wheeler and W. J. Price. Beautiful flowers covered the casket. Prayer was offered by Rev. Sebe Thomas an acquaintance for years of the deceased. Rev. Hamilton after giving obituary and a short tribute, stated it was the wish of the family that he give a message to the living rather than eulogize the loved one. He gave a hopeful message on the resurrection. There were 116 automobiles in the procession to the cemetery, outside of motor hearse, and more would have gone had it not commenced to sprinkle, and a light rain falling causing a number to return to their homes. The Masons had services at the grave in Fairlawn cemetery and Grubitz and Son were in charge of interment. William Newton Gowdy was born in Darlington County, South Carolina, on March 26th, 1859, and died in Elk City, Oklahoma, February 23rd, 1923. He was married in Logan county, Arkansas, in 1881 to Miss Florence Rhinehart. Nine children were born of this union, the eldest dying in infancy. The children who survive are Forrest, Oscar, Mrs. Lula Grissom, Wm. L., Mrs. Ruth Maddox of Elk City, Mrs. Cora Kelly of Corpus Christa, Texas, John and Roy of Elk City. He leaves four brothers, John Gowdy of Little Rock, Ark., E. V. Gowdy of Vernon, Texas, (both of whom were present at the funeral.) H. C. Gowdy of Houston, Texas, Ervin Gowdy, Little Rock, Ark., two half brothers, Max Gowdy of Elk City and Hugh Gowdy of Paris, Texas. He joined the Baptist church when a young man. He lived in Vernon, Texas awhile and moved to Norman, Oklahoma, in 1893 and to Elk City in 1902. He was a very successful business man, owning 2080 acres of land in Beckham county and 5120 acres near Corpus Christa. He reached this success by honest dealings and hard work. He drilled wells in this country for a number of years and made many friends with the people with whom he came in business contact, and all grieved when they heard of the accident and the death. Many came for miles wanting to see him before he passed away and also came to attend his funeral services. Mr. Gowdy was a member of the Masonic Order the M.W.A. and A.O.U.W. having $2,000 insurance in each of the last two organizations. He was a man who was ever in a good humor and sociable and his friends always were glad to meet him and it is not known that he ever had an enemy. He stood for what he thought was right, and was unafraid, and the people respected him for this. CARD OF THANKS We wish to extend to our many good friends and acquaintances, the able physicians and doctors, the lodges and the Sophomore class our heartiest thanks for the many favors, attention, flowers and sympathy extended us during our recent bereavement. Mrs. W. N. Gowdy F. C. Gowdy and Children O. H. Gowdy and Family Mrs. Wm. Grissom and Family W. L. Gowdy Mrs. J. J. Maddox and Family Mrs. Cora Kelly and Family J. P. Gowdy and Family Roy Gowdy John Gowdy, brother E. V. Gowdy, brother. ---------------------------------------------------------- Return to Beckham County Archives: http://www.usgwarchives.net/ok/beckham/beckham.htm