Western sentinel. [volume] (Winston [i.e. Winston-Salem], N.C.) 1856-1886, 1885-02-26
DIED IN TEXAS.
DEATH OF DOCTOR J. e. DOUTH-
1T, AT ROCKDALE.

A Generous Tribute to the Memory
State.
Special Correspondence Of the Sentinel.
RocKDALE, Tex, Feb. 2.-The
subject of the following sketch. was
once resident of Statesville, and held
in high regard by many of her best
citizens, and is now remembered as
noble, true and warm hearted man,
who left 1redell county with a band
of those whose business prospects were
blasted by the 6ottfiet which had
wrecked our country from '61 to SO.
DR.. Douthit with number of others
left North Carolina to seek homes in
the West one after another of that
number has been takeH, and the wri-
ter has not long since heard DIR.
Douthit say, that he was the last link;
the lone, solitary one left, all the rest
having found an eternal home and
now he has gone, but he has left his
impress with US, that not many can
make-his fair name is on the lips of
all who knew him, and truly it can be
said-we seldom find so many good
qualities blehded in one man.
It is only by the record of events
transpiring around US, and of the IN
dividual actors upon the stage of life,
that We have an adequate idea of how
much the life and death of one indi-
vidual stamps its image upon whole
community. This was realized by US
Yesterday morning, when the startling
announcement was nsade cf the death
of one of Rockdale's most worthy citi-
zens. DIR. J. E. Douthit, although
his health had not been good for some
time, still he was able to attend to bus
mess in the drug store, and Saturday
afternoon, and until after dark was
engaged making out bill of drugs,
but before the light of Sabbath morn
ing his spirit had winged its flight to
that world of light where all is peace
rnd love-he ran up the shining way
as it were, to meet his Lord.
His early advantages were of su
perior character. His college edaca-
ton was early completed, and he was
ushered upon society almost before he
attained his full manhood, as the COM
plete gentleman and finished scholar.
AS a surgeon in the army he faced
danger and death, dared to do his du
ty to the wounded and dying under
the shot and shell feeling he was safe
under the protecting wings of the
Almighty. At the time of his death
he was not a practicing physician, al
though for two decades of years he
had gone at the call of the sick and
suffering, never did he turn from any
who asked aid, counsel or aims. His
heart was bubbling over with the ge-
NAL spirit of kindness and was felt by
all who came in contact with him. He
never allowed an opportunity to pass
without speaking word of timely
warning and turn the channel of con-
versation towards the eternity to which
We all haste.
To show the appreciation of town
and country for him, it was but ne
cessary to hear the funeral sermon by
his pastor to one of the largest congre-
cations sver assembled in the spacious
church. The drapery of mourning
which hung from the pulpit and chan
deliers, showed that loving hands had
looped and pinned little token of
grief for one of the pillars Of their
church. The closed doors of the bus
mess houses on Monday, as the process
sion moved from the chufch to the
cemetery, and the uncovered heads of
many on the side walk, who could not
join in the procession, told better than
language that a man beloved and es-
teemed was taken from our midst.
His pastors remarks in the pulpit,
were but iust tribute to his worth,
although as he said, DIR. Douthit was
but man, human being, not per-
feet, for we cannot find man without
sin, but like the great illuminary of
the day, there were spots found on its
surface, but the halo of light that
beamed forth, was SO much greater, it
covered their darkness, and we can
readily throw the mantle of charity
over his imperfections, for his many
,, noble qualities outshone his mistakes
in life, and his trust in the atoning
blood of his Saviour, his love of the
pure and good, worthy of imitation.
He was not a stranger to death, and
spoke Of il freely and often, with the
most perfect composure. His hand
some features were in perfect repose,
and less of the look of death than we
often see-he slept away as an infant
his ransomed spirit went to swell
the throng OF the New Jerusalem. His
aged mother, one sister, his wife and
FIVE aoass, are still among us.
His eldest son, Earnest, who claims
Statesville as his "native heath, and
to the manor born," is now a man in
looks, acts, and business capacities
although young in years, he has SO far
as ii his power lifted the burden
tfs father laid down, in the way of
business, and will continue in the
drug store where he has been for some
years.
It is not for compliment, and not
to 1atter, when we say, Dir. Douthit's
equal is not often found, and we are
confident many hearts Will respond
when We say we have lost friend.
A LADY FRIEND.