Greenville Messenger,

Greenville, Texas, Friday,   January 11, 1907

 

 

C. A. LANGFORD DEAD,

 

ARM CRUSHED TUESDAY AND DIED ON SUNDAY

 

He Suffered Patiently, Surrounded By His family and friends for Five Days and Nights

 

Mr. Langford was first married in 1872 to Miss Mylie Jackson, sister to Mrs. Dr. Hundly and John Jackson of Commerce, and of this union there is one son, Dile Langford, still living and the only living child of deceased.  He was married in 1889 to Mrs. Collier, who survives him. 

 

Last week when we announced that C. A. Langford had his arm severely crushed at the Langford steam laundry we little thought that the next issue would be carrying the sad news of his death, but complications arose, suffering increased and at 8:30 Sunday night his spirit joined the ever increasing hosts who have crossed the chilly waters and gone to their reward.

 

On New Years’ morning Mr. Langford was strong, healthy and buoyant with hopes of what the New Year offered and spent a portion of the day doing some work for Wesley church and attending business at his office, had declared his intention of trying to be a better man and of greater service to his God and humanity.

 

He had the distinction being the first male child ever born in Greenville, which event occurred November 20, 1851.  He was reared and had always lived in Hunt county, his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Green Langford having lived here and in the Scatter Branch community.  He had been in business at Commerce and Greenville and was a most successful business man, had served this county as sheriff and made as good an officer as ever graced that office in the history of the county, but the finer and better qualities of the man were more discernable in his home and private life, where he threw the mantle of about the short comings of the weak, offered a helping hand to him who had fallen by the wayside and showered the affections of his great heart upon those about him.  Frank and free to acknowledge a wrong and recognized no fear where duty called.  Green and avarice were pushed aside and for many years past his name has led every enterprise that called for contributions in the church he loved when by measure of wealth this would not been true and many humble homes in Greenville know the blessings that his generosity has brought.  His church he loved next to his family and he sought continually to so gague (sic gauge) his life that when he saw his Pilot face to face his deeds would com under the bounds of His great mercy, his soul be with the redeemed.  His place will be hard to fill and in his home there is an aching void which staggers every heart to acknowledge the wisdom of divine providence which has made it thus.

 

We mourn with those who mourn and will forever love and cherish the memory of C. A. Langford. 

 

 

(Transcribed by Marc Coker 27 November 2004)