The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-01-15

The Thirteenth regiment of this city
suffered an irreparable loss when yes
terday morning Rees Watkins, its in
| spector of rifle practice and for many
| years quartermaster sergeant, died at
his home on Edna avenue, Providence.
| of an attack of apoplexy brought Oil
by the rupture of a blood vessel.
Mr.. Watkins had been a prominent
figure, both in military and musical
circles, ever since his advent in Scran.
ton over twenty years ago. ana his
sudden death will come as a shock 20
| numberless friends.
Besides his regimental duties he be-
ing the official armorer, he was the
| chorister of the North Main Avenre
Baptist church and had charge of The
| singing in the Providence Presbyterian
Sunday school.
Saturday night he complained of
pains and yesterday morning was un-
able to rise from his bed.
DR.. w. G. Dome was summoned but
before he arrived Mr.. Watkins died.
of the family.
Rees Watkins was born in Brecon
Wales, in 1s47 and when 21 years old
years later the couple came to this
country and took UP their residence in
Scranton.
CHARGE OF THE ARMORY.
Mr.. Watkins secured the position Of
attending to the armory and for eight
years lived with his wife on Adams
avenue. near the building. Then they
moved to Providence, where they have
since dwelt. He was a splendid musi-
elan. having all that true love for
music which seems inherent in every
Welshman. He was an expert cornetist
and also was possessed of an excellent
voice.
He then Joined the Thirteenth regi-
ment band, when under the direction
of Professor Cogswell, as cornetist,
and remained with it all through it's
existence. serving later as chief musi-
clan of the drum corps.
He next Joined the regiment proper,
in Company A, then commanded by
Captain Charles c. Mates, and speed
lily gained distinction as a steady, true
soldier. and specially as a marksman
He served as coach of all the shooting
teams and was universally liked and
popular wherever he went.
He was soon promoted to the posi-
tion of quartermaster sergeant of Conn
pany A. and in 1889 was appointed as
regimental quartermaster and range
master.
On March Is. 1898. Colonel Coursen
appointed him inspector of rifle prac-
tice, with the rank of first lieutenant,
and soon after this the Thirteenth regi-
ment was summoned out, the Spanish
war being then on.
APPOINTED INSPECTOR.
Mr.. Watkins accompanied the regi-
ment to Mt Gretna, but as his Office
was done away with under the regular
army formation. and he was disquali-
fled from enlisting in the ranks, he re-
gretfully had to return home.
Upon returning to Scranton, he was
assigned the place Of inspector of rifle
practice on the staff Of Colonel Wat
rous, commander of the newly-formcd
Eleventh regiment He remained in
this capacity until the reorganization
of the Thirteenth regiment took place,
when he was given the same position
on the staff Of that body, and this plac.
ne occupied ever since.
Reese Watkins was an exemplary
character, in every sense of the word.
He was man of blamelss life, a fine
soldier. and jovial companion. He
was probably one Of the best known
and most popular men in military
circles in the state, and was every
where we'll thought of and esteemed.
In him his acquaintances lose firm
and true friend, his wife devoted hus-
band, and the regiment a splendid Off
Ger.
1t is probable that his funeral will
be attended by the members Of tho
Thirteenth regiment, and that he will
be accorded all the honors of military
hurta1