Monroe was the son of Monroe Dawson Meece, T.F.’s youngest and only surviving brother after the Civil War. In the 1900 United States Federal Census his occupation was listed as a farm laborer at the age of 11. He could read and speak English, but he could not write. By the 1910 census, he could write. At the age of 21, he was still working on his father’s farm. According to the 1920 census, he was 30 years of age, he was still single and working as a laborer at a lumber mill. As of the 1930 census, his status had not changed. He had not attended school, and he was not a Veteran. In 1940 his Mother was listed as head of household. His father had since passed away. He was employed as a night watchman at the saw mill, and he remained a farm laborer on the family farm.
According to his World War 1 Draft Registration Card, he worked as a laborer for the Texas Long Leaf Lumber Company in New Willard, TX, which is approximately 8 miles north of Livingston. Monroe was tall, slender, he had blue eyes and brown hair. He stated that he had a withered hand. More than likely that kept him out of the military.
According to family members “Dawson was working as a night watchman at the saw mill in New Willard. He had been accused by his friend, Charlie Copeland, of fooling around with his wife, during the day when Charlie was at work at the saw mill. On July 20, 1941, as Dawson Meece made his rounds inside the saw mill, turning on lights, he was killed by a shotgun blast. His death was ruled ‘homicide,’ but I do not know, at this time, if Charlie Copeland was ever charged in his death. Charlie Copeland committed suicide in 1949.” Charlie Copeland’s parents were buried in the same cemetery, Bold Springs, as Monroe was. Charlie was buried at Forest Hill Cemetery.
Final Rites Held For Dawson Meece
Funeral services for Monroe Dawson Meece, 52, were held at 4 o’clock Monday in the Bold Springs Church with the Rev. W. B. Wadsworth officiating. Pallbearers were Chyde Courtney, James Courtney, Dawson Emmett Courtney, Roger Meece Jr., Gordon Meece and Hoarace McCrorey. Mr. Meece was born in Polk county and had lived at New Willard for the past 16 years where he was a night watchman for the Texas Long Leaf Lumber Co. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and the Woodmen of the World. Mr. Meece was killed shortly after 2 a.m. Sunday morning while on duty at the mill. Surviving are his mother, Mrs. Allie Meece of Livingston; four sisters, Mrs. Lynn Hood (pictured with Monroe above), Mrs. Helen Courtney, Mrs. C. S. Wainwright and Mrs. L. R. Rasberry; two brothers, Willie and Roger Meece and one half-brother Clarance McCrorey.
The Woodmen of the World first began as a fraternal organization which eventually began selling life insurance to its members. At one point, in addition to providing benefits to family members, it also provided unique headstones to those members who passed away.
