The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1906-12-04
WELL-K MAN
SUCCUMBS At LAST
Colonel James Winston Watts
Died Yesterday Morning at
Lynchburg Home.
LONG AND HONORABLE CAREER
Had Known That His Condition
Was Hopeless for Many
Months.


LNNCHBURG, VA. December Sol
onel James Winston Watts. one OF the
best-iSnOwn and highly-honored business
men OF Lynchburg. died this morning at
$40 o'clock. after an illness extending
over a period of several years. his condi-
ton having been hopeless for month
OF more. The end came peacefully at his
residence, No LOOT Court Street.
In ISIS. after the close OF tho war. Col
onel Watts came TO Lynchburg and en-
tered upon a business career which has
been pre-eminently a successful one from
every viewpoint. With his brother. Mr..
r T. Watts, and brother-in-l law. the late
George NJ Jones. partnership was form
ed under the style OF Jones. Watts & Co.
engaging extensively in the hardware
business.
The business OF the firm prospered. and
for twenty-five years it was recognized
as one OF tho largest firms Of Its nature
IN this section OF the state. In 1887 the
business was disposed OF. and the firm
then became known AS the Bell. Barker
and jennings Hardware Company. and is
now the Barker Jennings Hardware Com
pany. which Is easily the largest business
OF its kind IN the South. When the bus
mess changed hands. Colonel Watts re-
tired. but he and his brother. Nj r. r..
Watts. continued their business associa-
ton IN making investments under the Old
firm name
Colonel Watts was one OF tho promoters
OF the Lynchburg Cotton Mills. and his
work had much 70 do with the establish
ment Of the Randolph Macon Woman s
College. His work IN behalf of these in
stituuons IS a monument 20 his public
spirit.
The record OF Colonel Watts IN tho
service OF tho Confederacy during the
struggle between tho States could not
have been better. Tor no man in tho
service OF the Lost Cause was Drawer.
and none dared To undertake more than
he for the cause be loved. At the first
CALL I'm 1851 he was among the drst 10
respond. and as first lieutenant OF the
Bedford Light DragOons. came with his
company 10 Lynchburg. lie was assigned
with HIS company to tho Thirueth Nir-
gfnia Regiment. becoming Company %
the regiment He participated liz all the
battles IN which the cavalry was used
Tie gradually rose To the rank Of colo
rel. and in 1862 carried his regiment. the
second Virginia Cavalry. with General
Stuart into Pennsylvania lie was wound
od slightly IN 1852 in Rappahannock c0un-
ty; again IN the second battle OF Ma
uassas. again in June. while leading his
regiment. he was shot through the arm
in a charge in Isoudoun county, which
permanently disabled him for active field
service lie was afterwards post com
mander at Liberty
Colonel Watts was born in Bedford
county on April 70. 1S2. TIe was the
oldest son OF Richard =. and Isabella T.
Watts
ON February %. 1854 Do was rarrfe>T
to Miss Mary Elizabeth Jones. daughter
% Z. =. Jones. Of APPROPRIATION county.
who survives him In addition TO the WIFE
there are four surviving children: Mr.
Hubert 3. Watts. Nr T. Ashby Watts
Mrs. George p. Watkins % this city. ana
Mrs. %. =. Bachelor. OF Newport News.
He IS also survived hy two brothers-AIr
b. T. Watts Of this city. and MI. JON
Fl. Watts, Of Bedford City-nnd a sister,
Mrs. George NJ. Jones. Of this city.