The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1904-12-28
JOHN GARY WATTS.
Former Adjutant General Of the State
Is Dead.


Columbis, Dec. 25, - John Gary
Watts, former adjutant general OF IL g
State, died at the Columbia Hospital
this morning. The news of his death
was unexp, ctcd and occasioned a
shock in the community, where he has
lived for nearly fourteen years. For a
week or more Col. Watts has teeu
quite indisposed, suffering from asthma
or light attack of pneumo' In. On
Thursday OF this week he went out Of
his room and was greeted by lis
friends on the streets. Then he went
to his room and was qui5e sick.
Dr. Mcintosh attended Col. Watts
and on Friday evening DR.. Lester,
who was Col. Watts's regular phy.i-
clan, was called In. DR.. Lester coon
discovered that Col. Watts was very
ill man and gave him constant atteu-
.ion. Il vas found that Coz. Watts
could get better attention at the Co.
lumbia Hospital than in his private
room, and yesterday afternoon he was
taken to the hospital and in twelve
hours was dead.
DIR. Lester thinks that the immedi-
ate cause of death was bronchial asthma
and he doubts if there were any other
causes, such as organic heart trouble,
because he made careful examination
before Col. Watts was taken to the
hospital.
John Gary Watts WAS born at Gary's
Lane, Newberry County, on September
IA, 1850. His father, Capt. John w.
Watts, was gallant soldier ard officer
in the 81 South Carolina volunteers,
brigade, and served with distinction
through the whole war from Gettys-
burg to Chickamauga, and from Ma
nassas to Johnson's surrender. He was
much beloved by his friends aud COM
rades. He was exceedingly popular
and was at one time the sheriff of Lau-
rens County. His mother was Miss
Josephine Gary, tie accomplished
daughter of DR.. john X. Gary, de-
ceaeed of Newberry county.
Col. Watts received his primary edu-
cation at the Laurens Male Academy
and at the age of II entered the Cita-
del OF South Carolina Military Ac ad-
emy, whore he remain I'd until he grad
uated in 1890. He had already become
member of the militia while cadet
at the Citadel.
in 1890 he was appointed assistant
adjutant general under Gen. Farley,
the latter having been a member Of
his fathers company in the war be-
tween the States, aud held that post
tion during Gen. Farley's adm!nistra-
ton. In 1894 he was elected Adjutant
General OF the State and was reelected
for subsequent term of two years.
He served four years fn the Office OF
Adjutant General and made very
good officer.
After he retired from public life he
went into the life insurance business,
and he HIS been doing very we'll In
that work and had worked up good
business.
The body, accompanied by relatives,
will be taken to Laurens tomorrow for
interment.-C Corresponding News and
Courier.
Everybody in Laurens heard Of the
death OF Col. Watts Sunday morning
with profound regret.
His mother, Mrs. Josephine Watts
aud other relatives reside here.
The body was brought to Laurens
Monday afternoon for burial, the SER
vice, conducted by Rev. j. D. Pitts
taking place at the city cemetery at
O'Clock
The pail bearers were: DR.. w. d
Ferguson, j. X. Vance, w. II. Ander
son, G. d. Barksdale, j, F.. Bolt, G. ii
Roper. Col. III. Y. Simpson, O. G.
Featherstone.
Honorary-Dr. II. K. Aiken, G. W
Tune, T. f. Simpson, w. H. Gilkerson
Maj. w. A. Watts. Col, j. w. Fergu
son.
"NeRlected colds make fat grave
yards" DR.. Woods Norway Pine Sy
rup helps men and women to happy
vigorous old age.
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