Ike Towell’s Grave

Isaac "Ike" Towell was born on November 25, 1849 and died, by suicide, on February 22, 1934 at the age of 83 in Columbus, Texas.  

Ike was the city marshal of Columbus in 1885 and a lifelong "infidel".  He was known as a man of unwavering principals and had many friends near and far.  An outspoken atheist, he was recognized for his uncompromising honesty, his opposition to alcohol and tobacco, and his fearless, courageous nature. 

About a year before his death, he arranged for a headstone to be placed at his future gravesite.  A few days before he passed away, he purchased his own coffin and left detailed instructions regarding his funeral arrangements.  The service consisted of a final message written by Mr. Towell and was directed to be read by someone "not afraid that lightening would strike during the service".

Over 100 people were present at his service 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."

Headstone Inscription:

"HERE RESTSIKE TOWELLAN INFIDEL WHO HADNO HOPE OF HEAVENNOR FEAR OF HELLWAS FREE OF SUPERSTITIONTO DO RIGHT AND LOVEJUSTICE WAS HIS RELIGION"