Henry C. Watson Dead. . . Died Suddenly While Asleep Last Friday Night
Few deaths have occurred here in recent years that occasioned more surprise, and was a total shock to the citizens generally, than that of Mr. Henry Clay Watson.
He gently passed from sleep to Death about 1:45 o’clock Friday night, May 7th, at his home on Watson Heights.
Mr. Watson has all his life been a temperate man, and though in his 72nd year yet was apparently strong and active. In recent weeks he suffered somewhat from rheumatism, but not to the extent of keeping him to his bed. On Friday, May 7th, he started to his Blewett Falls farm, but before getting there he was seized with a pain in his chest and heart. Dr. Webb happened by and gave him assistance. He soon returned home and went to bed, though not feeling particularly ill. About 9:30 that night he dropped off to sleep, and the family prepared to retire with no apprehension of impending death. He happened to sleep soundly, snoring quite audibly; however, around 1:40 Mrs. Watson noticed the breathing had become quieter, but irregular, and she called Mr. Chalk, her son-in-law, from upstairs. It was quickly seen that he was in extremis, and he died within a few moments, before a doctor could arrive.
The funeral was held from the residence at 11 o’clock Saturday morning, conducted by Rev. E.H Davis of Franklinton, his former pastor, and Dr. C.M. Hawkins, the present pastor of the Rockingham Methodist church. A select choir sweetly sang the hymns he loved. The flowers were unusually beautiful and profuse, especially the huge pall of Easter lilies, Calla lilies, snapdragons and white roses. Interment was I Eastside cemetery, the pall-bearers being W.B. Cole, D.L. Wicker, Dr. T.B. Hunter, P.G. Webb, Locke Everett, Hassie Cole, Judson Bristow, Geo. P. Entwistle.
Henry C. Watson was born Dec. 4, 1854, near Ledbetter’s mill, a son of the late John and Mary Smith Watson
In early manhood he came to Rockingham, and for some years clerked for the late W.C. Thomas. Later he branched into business for himself under the name of J.C. & H.C. Watson, merchants. This later changed into the H.C. Watson, and still later (Aug. 1, 1911) as Watson-King Co. of which he was President. He operated extensive farming interests, planting 1,200 acres in cotton this year, and was a director in Hannah Pckett and Entwistle mills, and the Richmond Ins. & Realty Co. He three years ago made a big addition to what is known as the two-story Watson building, corner Lee and Washington streets, and was interested in other realty and business activities.
He is survived by his wife, who was Miss Jennie Ellerbe, and two daughters—Mrs. J.D. Chalk of Rockingham and Mrs. W. Sinclair Stewart of Charlotte. A brother, A.M. Watson, survives in Thomasville, Georgia, but was paralyzed some time ago and of course could not come for the funeral. Many friends and relatives from other towns came—from Bennettsville Monroe and elsewhere, to show their regard for the deceased.
From the front page of the Rockingham Post-Dispatch, May 13, 1926
To see a line drawing of Mr. Watson, go to:
newspapers.digitalnc.org/lccn/sn91068736/1926-05-13/ed-1/seq-1/
