Watson, William 1839-1910

WATSON, TINDALL

Posted By: Linda Ziemann, Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/1/2008 at 17:05:41

LeMars Sentinel
February 4, 1910

FAR FROM HOME AND FRIENDS

William Watson Succumbs to Attack of Apoplexy
Committed From Here to Cherokee

His Death Took Place at the State Hospital at an Early Hour on Tuesday
Morning--But Little is Known Here of His Life

County Clerk G.A. Toppings was notified on Tuesday by Dr. H.W. Voldung,
superintendent of the Cherokee state hospital, of the death of William
Watson, a long time resident of LeMars. Mr. Watson suffered an attack of
apoplexy on Sunday night and relapsed into a stupor from which he never
rallied, life leaving the body at an early hour on Tuesday morning. Mr.
Watson had been in feeble health for some time and in December was taken
seriously ill. His mind became affected and he was sent to Cherokee to the
state asylum by order of the commissioners on insanity. He was about
seventy years of age and had lived in LeMars for the past twenty-five years.
He was employed as bookkeeper at various places and later worked in the
office of Dr. J.L. Reeves for several years. He had been out of employment
for some time before his death.

Watson was a native of England, having been born in Northumberland county.
But little is known of his life as he was very reticent on the subject. He
was employed by a large coal concern in London, England, for a number of
years and came out in the early eighties to America to join a son who was
engaged in farming in Missouri. The young man died there, and the elder
Watson came shortly afterwards to this city and made his home here. He was
possessed of considerable ability and was a musician of more than ordinary
skill and for some years he was organist at St. George's church. His wife
died in England about two years ago. He had no relatives in this country,
but has some relatives at South Shields, England. His life was cast in
stony places of late years as he had no money and few friends.

The remains were interred in Cherokee.

~Note: Date of death was 31 Jan 1910; he is buried at Beacon Hollow Cemetery, Cherokee Mental Institute cemetery grounds