Newport weekly independent., 1901-08-09
HILBERT LYCURGUs WATSON.
One Of The Oldest Settlers and Wealthiest Citizens of Jackson County Passes Away Thurs day Evening at 8:30
 O'clock.-Burial at
 Memphis.


 braces several of this county's patri archs. Thursday, August the first, 1901, contributed another to this sad chapter of local history in the demise of Ebert Lycurgus Watson, aged 81 years, s months and six days.
 To the aged, death's stealthy and sure approach is told in whitening locks and tOttering steps, but the de- ceased had Withstood the frailties of advanced years, retaining vigorous constitution and the optimistic dis position of good health. His sudden demise comes as a shock to family and friends, so distant, even at his age, had such an event seemed.
 The deceased was taken violently ill about ? o'clock Tuesday morning, July 30th, and from that time, life Waned, though the best of physicians and surgeons administered to his comfort in the hope of staying deaths hand. But the efforts of science and the tender ministerings of love failed, the end taking place at 8:30 o'clock Thursday evening, resulting from general peritonetis.
 The funeral services were held at the residence of the deceased Friday afternoon at f o'clock, conducted by Rev. J. w. Smith, pastor of the Methodist church.
 The body was taken to Memphis for burial, and laid at rest in the family lot of Elmwood Cemetery. The funeral party left this city Friday night over the Iron Mountain and the interment took place Satur- day morning.
 Ebert Lycurcus Watson was born November 25, 1919, at Hawl5insville, Pulaski County, Georgia, the son of Gran D. and Martha Watson,
 His father died when he was quite young, and shortly afterwards his mother moved with the children to Paris, Henry County, Tenn, where Ebert L. Watson secured a position in the postoffice. The family next located at Clinton, Hickman County, Kentucky, but at the age of 30, E. L.. Watson went to New Orleans to en- gage in the commission business, be- ing very successful from the start, as he was naturally gifted in phenome- nal business ability.
 A severe attack of yellow fever in February, 1852, prompted him to again change his residence and he cast his lot with Jacksonport in this county, where he became a member of the mercantile firm of Pool & Watson.
 At the breaking out of the civil war, he entered the army as captain and quartermaster of the Eighth Arkansas Infantry, serving until compelled to return home after the battle of Shiloh, incapacitated by rheumatism.
 When Newport superseded Jack sOnport as the county seat and busi- ness centre, he moved to this city in February of 1883, where he continued his residence until the day of his death, though he had large property hold ings in Little Rock and other points outside of this county.
 His careful and painstaking busi- ness methods amassed him fortune, which he has invested in city proper ty, farms, timber tracts and mines, his estate being estimated at $25O,00O to $300,0O0.
 Mrs. Elizabeth J. Watson, wife of the deceased survives him, together with five children, Thomas J. Watson by the first marriage, and O. D. Wat son, Mrs. J. A. Watkins, Misses El- berta and Bessie E. L. Watson by the second marriage.
 The deceased was reserved in his manners; he preferred a few tried friends rather the half hearted good will of many. He had to be known to be appreciated, but like all deep na- lures, close contact with him brought admiration and love for the virtues of his character, that became boldly prominent upon close association.
 Careful and sagacious in business, he was exacting because he expected to fulfill every obligation upon his part. Of indomitable energy, and honesty that was never questioned, he established high ideals but not bet