WATTS, Cyrus 1831-1880

WATTS, JENKINS

Posted By: S. Ferrall - IAGenWeb volunteer
Date: 5/6/2026 at 15:22:06

It is difficult to imagine circumstances possible to cause one's taking off, equivalent in terrible surroundings to those which occasioned the death of a citizen of this place, on the night of Thursday last - Cyrus Watts, Esq., an old resident prominently known throughout Northeastern Iowa and Western Wisconsin, having [illegible] escaped death from drowning in the Mississippi, was frozen on one of the islands near the Wisconsin shore - actually losing life through exposure.

As is so often the case, the precise facts are difficult to obtain, and we depend much upon rumor, fixing the circumstances as nearly correct as possible. In brief they appear to be about as follows:

Mr. Watts, who owns a tract or tracts of land on Rush Creek, in Crawford Co., Wisconsin, was in the habit of visiting his premises frequently, and on Thursday evening started for the place in company with a man named Steelsmith. Crossing the islands, they reached the well known 'Winneshiek Slough,' and, when a short distance from the Wisconsin shore, the ice gave way.

As Steelsmith relates the story (and no other information is of course available) Watts went under the water, and he (S) assisted him out, at the same time telling Watts to remain on the lee until he (Steelsmith) could grope about in the dark and find a safe method of reaching shore. Along the shore, for a space of several feet, the lee was open, and Steelsmith says he was absent some time, in quest of a secure place, bu, on retuning to the spot where he left his companion, Watts was gone, and he found no trace of him thereafter.

It is to be regretted that such was the case, but both were under the influence of liquor when they left Lansing, and likewise carried a bottle with them. Partially intoxicated, and at that late hour of night, it is not surprising that they failed to cross a dangerous spot on the river, nor that the unfortunate man, having wandered from the river to the island near by, benumbed from cold, perhaps laid down, and chilled to death.

His life saved but a short time before, death under such circumstances was appalling, there in the woods, distant from any habitation, without a kindly word or friendly act from a human being a reasonable supposition was that he was drowned, and the slough was dragged accordingly, on the following day and at intervals until Monday, without finding a trace of the missing man.

On that day an Indian discovered the body of the unfortunate man on the island, and, giving information at DeSoto, an inquest was held and a verdict rendered in accordance with the facts.

Esq Jewell the official legally authorized to examine into the facts, presided at the inquest, and it was ascertained upon examination of the body, which was found nearly a mile distant from the place where Steelsmith left him, that Watts had crawled on hands and knees a greater part of the way, reaching a point about one half mile distant from his house.

Of the early history of Mr. Watts we are without particulars at this writing. He was born in Ohio, and entered upon the study of his profession in the law office of Hon. Sylvester Bagg, of Waterloo, Judge of the Ninth District. He was unmarried.

In early years the peculiarities of his character were developed, and he seems to have been quite as eccentric as in after life. His tastes were much those of a hermit, and habits of partial seclusion seemed to be preferable to the ordinary active duties of life.

In late years he spent much of his time across the river, frequently being absent from his office for a week or more, and, so peculiar were his habits, that it was frequently difficult to know just where he made his home.

We find, by reference to our files, the first record of Mr. Watts in Sept. 1862, at which time he was a partner of the law firm of Bently & Watts, "office two doors above Kemble's store," and removed a month later to "Havs' new building". In October he was appointed deputy collector for Allamakee county by Treasurer Howe. Sept 10, 1867, he became a Republican nominee for Representative, jointly with S.S. Powers, Esq, and was defeated by his Democratic opponent, Capt. Geo. R. Miller, by a majority of 324. March 4, 1871, he was chosen city attorney. He was always a Republican in political belief, and at one time ambitious for preferment, but of late years took to active part in politics.

He was possessed of some means - how much, where located, &c., only time will tell; his greatest peculiarity was as regards financial affairs.

At one time (January, 1872) Mr. Watts made such professions of religious convictions as justified his election as a trustee of the Presbyterian church, at the services of which he was a regular attendant; but his course in subsequent years was not such as to sustain the relations he then bore to the church.

Personally Cyrus Watts was not by any means an unpopular man; on the contrary his knowledge and learning made him an agreeable conversationalist, and he was noted for a generosity that was almost a fault. His friendship was marked and deep, his enmity bitter. While apparently illiterate in conversation, he was in reality possessed of a very thorough education, and, no difference what might be the subject of conversation, he was apparently familiar with every phase.

That his death should occur amidst such surroundings is a matter of deepest regret to the community.

He leaves a mother, and possibly other relatives near Baraboo, who will be here today, as they have advised, by telegraph. Dick Haney, Esq, who, with Mr. Blum, has taken all possible pains to acquaint them with the facts, and aid in looking properly after the remains, which were brought here on Wednesday, and await the directions of his friends.

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Since the above was in type we have from Judge Burdick and Mr. Camp some further particulars.

Mr. Watts was born in 1831, of Connecticut parentage, in that part of Ohio known as the Western Reserve. He graduated at the Hamilton college, giving for his tuition a note which he paid since coming to Lansing. After teaching school for a time in Missouri, he engaged in the study of law with Bagg & Allen, and was admitted to the bar of Black Hawk Co. From Trempeleau, Wis., he came to Lansing in the Spring of 1861.

A cause for the peculiarities of his later years is shown by the fact of his engagement to an accomplished and beautiful girl, to whom he was most devotedly attached, and to whom he was to be married when she attained her 21st year, but who died at the age of 19. The blow that he then received seemed to affect in a measure all his after years.

He was possessed of large tracts of land -- in all 1500 acres -- but it is encumbered, and not at present marketable.
~Lansing Mirror, Friday, February 20, 1880; pg 3

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The last chapter in the tragic death of our fellow citizen, Cyrus Watts, closed to-day with the removal of the body to Baraboo, Wis., for interment, and we touch upon the painful subject again for the purpose of giving the facts that have developed since our last issue, and to correct a misstatement that naturally arose from the variety of rumors in circulation. When our account of the affair was written last week it seemed to be the general impression that Mr. Watts was intoxicated when he started on his fatal journey, and we so stated it, but we have since been informed by several gentlemen who met him a few moments previous to his setting out, that such was not the case - while Steelsmith was drunk, Watts was perfectly sober. We gladl make the correction.

Two of the relatives of the deceased, H.V. Watts, of Ottawa, Ohio, his brother, and Mrs. Mary Jenkins, of Bangor, Wis., his cousin, arrived Saturday, being delayed no account of some misunderstanding in telegraphing. Mr. Watts is a well-to-do farmer, and an educated, polished gentleman. He had traveled extensively, and is an entertaining conversationalist. He had not seen his brother Cyrus but twice in thirty years.

Another brother from Ohio, a lawyer, arrived to-day, and accompanied the body to Baraboo. Mr. H.V. Watts took charge of his deceased brother's effects, finding among them his will, which was taken to Waukon and read. It was dated eleven years ago, devised most of his property to his mother, and named his lawyer brother and the deceased Gustave Kerndt as executors.

[The next 2 paragraphs went into the autopsy results (cause of death - cold and exposure), not transcribed]

A.V. Watts, the administrator of the estate, will return from Baraboo Friday, and commence the labor of getting its affairs into shape. As he is an attorney, and is not permanently located at present, he will probably take charge of the deceased's legal practice, and thus become a resident of Lansing for some time at least.

~Lansing Journal, Wednesday, February 25, 1880; pg 8

Note: He incorrectly appears on the 'Woodmansee' burial list for Oak Hill cemetery. He has a gravestone in Fairfield cemetery, Baraboo, Sauk Co., WI